NYS Math Grade 3 key terms

The result you get when you multiply two or more numbers together. For example, in 4 × 6 = 24, the number 24 is the product of the two factors.

A number that is multiplied by another number to make a product. In 3 × 7 = 21, both 3 and 7 are factors, and 21 is their product.

An operation that combines equal groups to find a total. It can be read as repeated addition, so 5 × 3 means five groups of three, or 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3.

An operation that splits a total into equal shares or tells how many equal groups fit inside a total. It is the inverse of multiplication, so 12 ÷ 3 = 4 undoes 4 × 3 = 12.

The answer to a division problem. In 18 ÷ 6 = 3, the quotient is 3, which tells how many groups of six fit into eighteen.

A rectangular arrangement of objects in equal rows and equal columns. An array shows multiplication visually, since a 3-by-4 array contains twelve objects and models 3 × 4 = 12.

Sets that each contain the same number of objects. Counting several equal groups is a foundation for multiplication, such as 4 groups of 5 objects making 20 objects in all.

The rule that changing the order of the factors does not change the product. For example, 6 × 8 gives the same answer as 8 × 6.

The rule that lets you break one factor into parts, multiply each part, and add the results. For example, 6 × 7 can be found as 6 × 5 plus 6 × 2.

The missing value in an equation, often shown by a box, blank, or letter. In 4 × ? = 28, the unknown is 7, found by dividing 28 by 4.

A number sentence stating that two expressions have the same value, joined by an equals sign. For example, 5 × 3 = 15 is a true equation.

A combination of numbers and operation signs without an equals sign, such as 8 + 4 or 3 × 6. An expression is evaluated, not solved like an equation.

A word problem that takes two separate operations to solve. The answer to the first step becomes the number used in the second step.

Replacing a number with a nearby number of a chosen place value, usually ending in zero. For example, 47 rounds to 50 when rounding to the nearest ten.

The value a digit has because of its position in a number. In 472, the 4 means four hundreds, the 7 means seven tens, and the 2 means two ones.

Writing a number using only its digits in the usual way, such as 3,406. It is one of several ways to show a number, alongside expanded form and word form.

Writing a number as the sum of the values of each digit. For example, 3,406 in expanded form is 3,000 + 400 + 6.

Writing a number using words instead of digits. The number 3,406 in word form is three thousand, four hundred six.

An answer that is close to the exact amount, found by rounding or using friendly numbers. Estimates are useful for checking whether an exact answer is reasonable.

Computing an answer in your head without writing out the steps. Strategies include breaking numbers apart, making tens, and using facts you already know.

The result of adding two or more numbers. In 245 + 130 = 375, the number 375 is the sum.

The result of subtracting one number from another. In 500 − 275 = 225, the number 225 is the difference.

A fraction with 1 as its numerator, such as 1/2, 1/3, or 1/8. Every other fraction can be built by putting together copies of a unit fraction.

The top number of a fraction. It tells how many equal parts are being counted or described, as the 3 in 3/4 tells that three fourths are counted.

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

A number that names part of a whole or part of a set. It is written with a numerator above a denominator, such as 3/4.

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

A straight line marked with numbers at equal spaces. Fractions can be placed on it by dividing the space between whole numbers into equal parts.

A counting number starting from zero, such as 0, 1, 2, or 3, with no fraction or decimal part. Whole numbers mark the endpoints on a number line.

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

The distance all the way around the outside of a closed shape. It is found by adding the lengths of all the sides.

A square with sides one unit long, used to measure area. A rectangle that holds twelve such squares without gaps has an area of twelve square units.

A graph that uses bars of different lengths to show and compare amounts. The height or length of each bar stands for a number counted in a category.

A graph that uses small pictures or symbols to show amounts. A key explains how many each symbol stands for, such as one symbol meaning two votes.

The numbers marked along a graph's axis, or the value each symbol stands for. Reading the scale correctly is needed to interpret the data shown.

A number line with marks or Xs stacked above values to show how often each value occurs. It displays measurement data such as lengths to the nearest half inch.

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

A quadrilateral with four right angles, where opposite sides are equal and parallel. Its area is found by multiplying length by width.

A quadrilateral with four right angles and four sides of equal length. It is both a rectangle and a rhombus, and its area is side times side.

A quadrilateral whose four sides are all the same length. Unlike a square, its angles need not be right angles.