K-5 Definitions of Math Terms
5
cube
Exponents: the third power of a number.
Geometry: a regular three-dimensional figure having six congruent square faces.
cylinder
A three-dimensional figure composed of two congruent and parallel circular regions joined by a
curved surface.
data
Quantitative and/or qualitative information within a context gathered through observation,
questioning and/or measurement.
data set
A defined group of quantitative and/or qualitative information within a context gathered through
observations, questioning and/or measurement.
decimal fraction
A proper fraction whose denominator is a power of 10.
decimal point
A demarcation mark used in a base 10 numbering system to designate values that are less than
one.
decompose
To break down into smaller units to simplify computation.
denominator
The bottom part of a fraction that indicates the number of equal parts into which the whole is
divided (e.g., 4 in the fraction ¾).
diagonal
A line segment joining two non-adjacent vertices of a polygon.
difference
The result obtained using the operation of subtraction.
digit
The ten symbols,” 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9” used in a base-ten numeration system.
digital clock
A device for telling time that shifts between discrete states instead of continuous variation.
dimension
Measurement: measure of distance in a specific direction (e.g., length, width, depth).
Space: the number of coordinates needed to specify a location in space.
distance
The positive value for the length of the shortest line segment joining two points.
distributive property
A rule or method that states that every term inside grouping symbols may be multiplied by a term
outside grouping symbols to yield an equivalent expression.
dividend
The value to be divided in a division problem.
divisibility
The ability to divide one whole number by another whole number without a remainder.