MCAS Math Grade 3 flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Equal groups

A model for multiplication in which several groups each contain the same number of objects. The total equals the number of groups times the number in each group.

Product

The result of multiplying two or more numbers. In 6 × 4 = 24, the product is 24, found by combining six groups of four.

Factor

A number that is multiplied by another number. In 7 × 8 = 56, both 7 and 8 are factors, and each divides 56 evenly.

Quotient

The result of a division problem. In 35 ÷ 5 = 7, the quotient is 7, meaning 35 can be split into seven groups of five.

Dividend and divisor

In a ÷ b = c, the dividend a is the total being split and the divisor b is the number of groups or the size of each group.

Inverse operations

Operations that undo each other. Multiplication and division are inverses, so 8 × 5 = 40 means 40 ÷ 5 = 8 and 40 ÷ 8 = 5.

Array

A rectangular arrangement of objects in rows and columns. A 4-by-6 array shows 24 objects and models 4 × 6 = 24.

Commutative property of multiplication

Changing the order of factors does not change the product: 3 × 9 and 9 × 3 both equal 27. Addition has the same property; subtraction and division do not.

Fact family

A set of related multiplication and division facts using the same three numbers, such as 3, 8, and 24: 3 × 8 = 24, 8 × 3 = 24, 24 ÷ 3 = 8, 24 ÷ 8 = 3.

Even and odd numbers

An even number can be split into two equal whole-number parts and ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. An odd number cannot and ends in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.

Place value

The value of a digit based on its position. In 5,308 the 5 is worth 5,000, the 3 is worth 300, and the 8 is worth 8.

Standard form

Writing a number using only digits, with each place showing its value, as in 4,072 for four thousand seventy-two.

Expanded form

Writing a number as the sum of the values of its digits. For example, 3,406 = 3,000 + 400 + 0 + 6.

Rounding to nearest ten

Replace a number with the closest multiple of ten. 47 rounds to 50 because it is closer to 50 than to 40; 42 rounds to 40.

Rounding to nearest hundred

Replace a number with the closest multiple of one hundred. 350 rounds to 400; 320 rounds to 300. A deciding digit of 5 or more rounds up.

Comparing numbers

Using >, <, or = to state which of two numbers is greater. Compare the greatest place first: 4,208 > 4,082 because the hundreds digits 2 and 0 differ.

Unit fraction

A fraction with numerator 1, such as 1/2, 1/4, or 1/8. It names one equal part of a whole that has been cut into that many parts.

Numerator

The top number of a fraction. It tells how many equal parts are being counted or taken, as in 3/4 where 3 parts are taken.

Denominator

The bottom number of a fraction. It tells how many equal parts make up the whole, as in 3/4 where the whole is cut into 4 equal parts.

Equivalent fractions

Fractions that name the same amount even though the numbers differ, such as 1/2, 2/4, and 4/8. They mark the same point on a number line.

Fraction on a number line

A point located by dividing the space between two whole numbers into equal parts. The point 3/4 sits three of four equal jumps from 0 to 1.

Whole number as a fraction

Any whole number can be written with denominator 1, so 5 = 5/1. The fraction 4/1 equals 4, and 8/2 also equals 4.

Comparing fractions

When denominators are the same, the fraction with the larger numerator is greater. When numerators are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is greater.

Area

The amount of surface a flat shape covers, measured in square units. For a rectangle, area equals length times width.

Perimeter

The total distance around the outside of a shape, found by adding all side lengths. A 3-by-5 rectangle has perimeter 3 + 5 + 3 + 5 = 16.

Square unit

A square with sides of one unit, used to measure area. A rectangle covered by 12 such squares without gaps has area 12 square units.

Rectangle area formula

Area equals length times width. A rectangle 6 units long and 4 units wide has area 6 × 4 = 24 square units.

Quadrilateral

A closed flat shape with exactly four straight sides and four corners. Squares, rectangles, rhombuses, and trapezoids are all quadrilaterals.

Right angle

An angle that forms a square corner, measuring exactly 90 degrees. The corners of a rectangle are all right angles.

Equal parts of a whole

When a shape is split into parts of the same size, each part is a fraction of the whole; unequal parts cannot be described with one fraction.

Bar graph scale

The number each picture or interval on a graph stands for. If one square stands for 5 votes, a bar 4 squares tall shows 20 votes.