NPOST key terms

The top number in a fraction. It shows how many equal parts of the whole are being counted or described.

The bottom number in a fraction. It shows the total number of equal parts the whole has been divided into.

A way of writing a number that represents part of a whole, made up of a numerator and a denominator separated by a bar.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written with a colon. It tells how much of one thing exists relative to another.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal. Solving one usually means finding a missing value in a comparison.

A method for solving proportions by multiplying the numerator of one fraction by the denominator of the other, then setting the products equal.

A number expressed as a portion of one hundred. For example, 25 percent means 25 out of every 100.

A number written using place value to the right of a decimal point, representing tenths, hundredths, and smaller units.

The value assigned to a digit based on its position in a number, such as ones, tens, tenths, or hundredths.

Replacing a number with a nearby value that has fewer digits, based on whether the next digit is five or higher.

Finding an approximate answer that is close enough for a purpose, often by rounding numbers before calculating.

The agreed sequence for evaluating expressions: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction, working left to right.

A small raised number showing how many times a base number is multiplied by itself, as in three squared.

A number that, when multiplied by itself, produces a given value. The square root of 49 is 7.

The arithmetic average, found by adding all values in a set and dividing the sum by the number of values.

The middle value in a data set arranged in order. If there are two middle values, it is their average.

The value that appears most often in a data set. A set may have one mode, several modes, or none.

A ratio that compares quantities with different units, such as miles per hour or cost per item.

Changing a measurement from one unit to another, such as inches to feet, by multiplying by a known equivalent ratio.

The total distance around the outside of a two-dimensional shape, found by adding the lengths of all its sides.

The amount of surface a two-dimensional shape covers, measured in square units such as square feet.

The amount of space a three-dimensional object occupies, measured in cubic units such as cubic inches.

The central point a passage makes about its topic. It is broad enough to cover the whole text, not just one detail.

A specific fact, example, or reason in a passage that explains or proves the main idea.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining information in the text with general knowledge, even though the text does not state it directly.

Information in the words and sentences around an unfamiliar word that helps a reader figure out its meaning.

The meaning a word carries in a particular sentence or passage, which may differ from its most common dictionary meaning.

The writer's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice and phrasing, such as serious, humorous, or critical.

A brief restatement of a text's main points in the reader's own words, leaving out minor details and personal opinion.

Restating a short passage in different words while keeping the original meaning, often used to show understanding.

Presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own without giving credit to the original source.

A note in a piece of writing that identifies the source of a fact, quotation, or idea so readers can locate it.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, so a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

The rule that a pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender, as in a singular noun taking a singular pronoun.

The form a pronoun takes based on its job in the sentence, such as subject form, object form, or possessive form.

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a complete verb, or a complete thought.

Two or more complete sentences joined with no punctuation or joining word, creating one overly long sentence.

An error in which two complete sentences are joined only by a comma, with no coordinating conjunction.

A word such as and, but, or because that connects words, phrases, or clauses and shows how they relate.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause expresses a complete thought; a dependent clause does not.

A word, phrase, or clause that describes another word. A misplaced modifier is placed too far from the word it describes.

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison, which makes a sentence clear and balanced.

Marks such as periods, commas, and apostrophes used in writing to separate ideas, show possession, and clarify meaning.

A factual, neutral style of writing that avoids personal opinion, emotion, and unnecessary first-person references.

Arranging events in the sequence they occurred, usually from earliest to latest, which is standard in incident reports.

A formal written record of an event such as an accident or rule violation, documenting who, what, when, where, and how.

The difference between statements that can be verified as true and statements that express personal beliefs or judgments.

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action, as in the officer wrote the report.

A sentence construction in which the subject receives the action, as in the report was written by the officer.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point and controls what follows.

A group of related sentences focused on one idea, beginning with an indented or clearly separated line.

A word or phrase such as however or therefore that links ideas and shows how sentences and paragraphs connect.

A single sentence that states the central claim of an essay and previews what the writing will explain or argue.

Reviewing a draft to correct errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word choice before finalizing the writing.

Reworking a draft to improve its content, organization, and clarity, which goes beyond fixing surface errors.

A final careful read to catch remaining typos, misspellings, and small errors just before submitting a piece of writing.