NVO Grade 4 Mathematics key terms

The result you get when you multiply two or more numbers together. For example, multiplying 6 by 7 gives a product of 42.

A number that is multiplied by another number in a multiplication problem. In 4 × 9 = 36, both 4 and 9 are factors.

The answer to a division problem, showing how many times one number fits into another. In 24 ÷ 6 = 4, the quotient is 4.

The number being divided in a division problem. In 35 ÷ 5 = 7, the dividend is 35, the amount being split into equal groups.

The number you divide by in a division problem. In 35 ÷ 5 = 7, the divisor is 5, telling how many equal groups are made.

The amount left over when a number does not divide evenly. Dividing 17 by 5 gives 3 with a remainder of 2.

A number you get by multiplying a given number by whole numbers. Multiples of 4 include 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20.

A mathematical sentence stating that two expressions are equal, joined by an equals sign. For example, 8 + 7 = 15 is an equation.

A letter or symbol that stands for an unknown number in an equation or expression. In n + 5 = 12, the letter n is a variable.

A combination of numbers, operation signs, and sometimes letters, without an equals sign. Examples include 3 + 4 and 6 × n.

The agreed rules for which part of a number sentence to compute first: parentheses, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction, working left to right.

Curved symbols ( ) used to group part of a number sentence so it is calculated first. In (2 + 3) × 4, the sum is done before multiplying.

A whole number greater than 1 with exactly two factors: 1 and itself. Examples are 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11.

A whole number greater than 1 that has more than two factors. For example, 12 is composite because it has factors 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

The value a digit has because of its position in a number. In 4,582, the 5 stands for 5 hundreds, or 500.

Any one of the ten symbols 0 through 9 used to write numbers. The number 307 has three digits: 3, 0, and 7.

A number written using only digits in the usual way. The standard form of four thousand sixty-two is 4,062.

A way of writing a number as the sum of the values of each digit. For example, 3,507 in expanded form is 3,000 + 500 + 7.

A number written out using words instead of digits. The word form of 815 is eight hundred fifteen.

Replacing a number with a nearby, simpler number of a chosen place value. For instance, 738 rounded to the nearest hundred is 700.

A close answer found by rounding or using friendly numbers instead of exact calculation. Estimating 198 + 305 as 200 + 300 gives about 500.

The result of adding two or more numbers. When you add 245 and 130, the sum is 375.

The result of subtracting one number from another. When you subtract 120 from 500, the difference is 380.

Trading a group of ten in one place for one unit in the next place, or the reverse, when adding or subtracting. Borrowing 1 ten to make 10 ones is regrouping.

The top number of a fraction, showing how many equal parts are being counted or described. In 3/4, the numerator is 3.

The bottom number of a fraction, showing the total number of equal parts in the whole. In 3/4, the denominator is 4.

A fraction with 1 as its numerator, such as 1/2, 1/5, or 1/8. Any fraction can be built by combining unit fractions.

Different fractions that name the same amount. For example, 1/2 and 2/4 are equivalent because they cover the same part of a whole.

A fraction written with the smallest possible whole numbers, where the numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1. For example, 6/8 becomes 3/4.

A shared denominator that two or more fractions can be rewritten with so they can be compared or added. The fractions 1/2 and 1/3 can use 6.

A number made of a whole number and a fraction together. For example, 2 1/4 means two wholes plus one quarter.

A fraction whose numerator is equal to or greater than its denominator, so it names one or more wholes. For example, 7/4 equals 1 3/4.

A number written with a decimal point to show parts of a whole based on tenths and hundredths. For example, 0.25 means twenty-five hundredths.

The amount of surface a flat shape covers, measured in square units. A rectangle 3 units by 5 units has an area of 15 square units.

The distance all the way around the outside of a flat shape. A rectangle 3 units by 5 units has a perimeter of 16 units.

A square measuring one unit on each side, used to measure area. Covering a shape with 12 such squares means its area is 12 square units.

A number line marked with Xs above it to show how often each value appears in a set of data. It quickly reveals the most and least common values.

The figure formed by two rays that share the same endpoint. Angles are measured in degrees, and a right angle measures exactly 90 degrees.

An angle that measures exactly 90 degrees, often shown by a small square in the corner. The corners of a rectangle are right angles.

A line that divides a shape into two halves that match exactly when folded along it. A square has four lines of symmetry.