3rd Grade Math Vocabulary

Vocabulary Word

Meaning

1. distributive property of multiplication

a property that states you can

decompose a multiplication equation to
help you find the product
(2x3) + (2x3) = 2 x 6

2.commutative property of multiplication

a property that states you can switch

numbers around and still get the same
answer when you multiply
4x3 = 3x4

3. associative property of multiplication

a property that states it doesn't matter

how we group the numbers when we
multiply
(4x3)x2 = 2x(3x4)

4. polygon

a closed figure with straight sides

5. quadrilateral

a 4-sided polygon

6. identity property of multiplication

a property that states multiplying a

number by 1 leaves it unchanged:
61=6

7. inverse operations

Opposite operation

8. parallel

lines that remain the same distance

apart & will never intersect

9. perpendicular

intersecting lines that form a right angle

10. perimeter

the distance around a shape

11. numerator

the top number in a fraction, shows

how many parts are being
accounted for

12. denominator

the bottom number in a fraction,

shows how many equal parts the
whole is divided into

13. equation

a number sentence using an equal

sign
14. fraction model

a model that shows fractions

15. area

the amount of space inside an object

16. category

a group of things that are similar in

some way

17. expression

numbers and symbols (such as +

and ) grouped together

18. figure

a 2-D shape

19. long/length

the distance from top to bottom

20. wide/width

the distance from side to side

21. line plot

a graph that uses points to show the

frequency of something

22. intersect

lines that cross at one point

23. quotient

the answer after you divide one

number by another
dividend divisor = quotient

24. array

multiplication problem arranged in

rows and columns

25. factor

numbers you can multiply together

to get a product

26. strategies

tools used to solve a math problem

27. estimate

an educated guess that uses rounding

28. addend

any of the numbers that are added together

29. decompose

to break apart a number or shape

30. product

the answer when two or more numbers are

multiplied together

31. congruent

the same shape and size

32. partition

to divide into equal parts

33. attribute

a property of an object; something you can

say it has (such as size or color)

34. equivalent

having the same value

35. time interval

a distinct measure of time

36. elapsed time

time that has passed by

37. difference

the result of subtracting one number from

another

38. sum

the result of adding two or more numbers

39. halves

two equal parts of a whole

40. thirds

three equal parts of a whole

41. fourths

four equal parts of a whole

42. capacity

how much something can hold

43. closed figure

all lines connected in the shape. Any polygon

44. compare

all the ways they are alike

45. contrast

all the ways they are different

46. define

to give a meaning

47. determine

to decide

48. dividend

the whole number being divided up. The

numerator.

49. divisor

number or parts the whole divided into. The

denominator

50. interpret

If I understand, then I can explain.

51. measure

to identify with units to find size or quantity.

52. reason

a statement to explain your belief in an answer

53. recognize

to see, observe, remember

54. volume

How much something can hold