English 6th Grade M-Z

Vocabulary Cards and Word Walls

Revised: 1/13/14

Important Notes for Teachers:

 The vocabulary cards in this file match the Common Core, the math
curriculum adopted by the Utah State Board of Education, August 2010.
 The cards are arranged alphabetically.
 Each card has three sections.
o Section 1 is only the word. This is to be used as a visual aid in
spelling and pronunciation. It is also used when students are writing
their own “kid-friendly” definition and drawing their own graphic.
o Section 2 has the word and a graphic. This graphic is available to be
used as a model by the teacher.
o Section 3 has the word, a graphic, and a definition. This is to be used
for the Word Wall in the classroom. For more information on using a
Word Wall for Daily Review – see “Vocabulary – Word Wall Ideas”
on this website.
 These cards are designed to help all students with math content vocabulary,
including ELL, Gifted and Talented, Special Education, and Regular
Education students.

For possible additions or corrections to the vocabulary cards, please contact the
Granite School District Math Department at 385-646-4239.

Bibliography of Definition Sources:

Algebra to Go, Great Source, 2000. ISBN 0-669-46151-8

Math on Call, Great Source, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0-669-50819-2
Math at Hand, Great Source, 1999. ISBN 0-669-46922
Math to Know, Great Source, 2000. ISBN 0-669-47153-4
Illustrated Dictionary of Math, Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 0-7945-0662-3
Math Dictionary, Eula Ewing Monroe, Boyds Mills Press, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-1-59078-413-6
Student Reference Books, Everyday Mathematics, 2007.
Houghton-Mifflin eGlossary, http://www.eduplace.com
Interactive Math Dictionary, http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/
 magnitude
Example: If this man
owes $75 on a bill,
that is -$75.

magnitude The magnitude of his

debt is described as:

-$75 = $75

Example: If this man

owes $75 on a bill, Size; a property by
that is -$75. which something
The magnitude of his
magnitude debt is described as:
can be compared as
larger or smaller
than other objects
-$75 = $75 of the same kind.
 mass
mass
The amount of matter in
an object. Usually measured

mass by comparing with an object

of known mass. While
gravity influences weight,
it does not affect mass.
 maximum
x
x
x
The
maximum
x x
x x
x x x x maximum
x x x x
x x x x x is 5.
Number of Pets

x
x
x
x x The largest amount;

maximum x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
The
maximum
is 5.
the greatest number
in a data set.

Number of Pets
 mean
Data Set: 14, 21, 27, 33, 45, 46, 52

Step 1:

mean 14 + 21 + 27 + 33 + 45 + 46 + 52 = 238

Step 2:
238 ÷ 7 = 34 mean

Data Set: 14, 21, 27, 33, 45, 46, 52

The sum of a set of
Step 1: numbers divided by

mean 14 + 21 + 27 + 33 + 45 + 46 + 52 = 238

Step 2:
the number of
elements in the set;
a type of average.

238 ÷ 7 = 34 mean
 mean absolute
deviation Step 1: Find the mean.

mean
(56+78+88)/3 = 74

Step 2: Determine the deviation

of each variable from the mean.
56 – 74 = -18
78 – 74 = 4

absolute The weights of the

three people are
88 –74 = 14

Step 3: Make the deviation

“absolute” by squaring and
determining the roots.

deviation
(eliminate the negative)
56 Kgs, 78 Kgs,
and 88 Kgs. (18 + 4 + 14)/3 = 12 is the
mean absolute deviation.

mean
Step 1: Find the mean.
(56+78+88)/3 = 74
In statistics, the
Step 2: Determine the deviation
of each variable from the mean.
absolute deviation of
56 – 74 = -18
an element of a data
absolute
78 – 74 = 4
88 –74 = 14
set is the absolute
Step 3: Make the deviation
“absolute” by squaring and
difference between
The weights of the
three people are
determining the roots.
that element and a
deviation
(eliminate the negative)
56 Kgs, 78 Kgs,
and 88 Kgs. (18 + 4 + 14)/3 = 12 is the
given point.
mean absolute deviation.
measure of center
Examples:

measure x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Mode = 1

x x x x Median = 2

of center x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

Number of Pets
x
Mean = 2.3

Examples: An average; a single value

x that is used to represent a

measure x
x
x
x
x
x
Mode = 1
collection of data. Three
commonly used types of
averages are mode,
x x x x Median = 2 median, and mean. (also
of center x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
Mean = 2.3
known as measure of
central tendency or
measure of average)
Number of Pets
measure of variability

measure of
x
x
x
x x
Range = 4
x x
x x x x
x x x x

variability x x x x

Number of Pets
x

x A measure of how

measure of x
x
x
x
x
x
Range = 4 much a collection of
data is spread out.
Commonly used types
x x x x

variability x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
include range and
quartiles. (also
known as spread)
Number of Pets
 median
14, 21, 27, 33, 45, 46, 52
median
median

The middle number

of a set of numbers
14, 21, 27, 33, 45, 46, 52 when the numbers
are arranged from

median least to greatest, or

the mean of two
middle numbers
median when the set has two
middle numbers.
 meter (m)
meter (m)
A baseball bat is about 1 meter long.

A standard unit

meter (m) of length in the

metric system.

A baseball bat is about 1 meter long.

 metric system
metric
system
A system of

metric measurement based on

tens. The basic unit of
capacity is the liter. The
basic unit of length is
system the meter. The basic
unit of mass is the gram.
 minimum
x
x
x

minimum
x x
x x The
x x x x
x x x x minimum
x x x x x
is 1.
Number of Pets

x
x
x
The smallest

minimum
x x
x x The amount; the smallest
x x x x minimum
x x x x is 1.
number in a data set.
x x x x x

Number of Pets
 minuend
43.2 – 27.9 = 15.3
minuend
minuend

43.2 – 27.9 = 15.3 The quantity from

which another

minuend quantity, the

subtrahend, is to be
subtracted.
minuend
 mixed number
mixed
3 3
7
number
mixed 3
3
A number with
an integer and a
7 fraction part.
number
 mode
14, 21, 33, 33, 33, 46, 52

mode mode

14, 21, 33, 33, 33, 46, 52 The number or

mode numbers that occur

most often in
a data set.
mode
 multiple
multiple Multiples of

7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49…

The product of

multiple Multiples of a whole number

and any other
whole number.
7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49…
Multiplication Property
of Equality
10 = 2
Multiplication 5
5 × 10 = 2 × 5
Property of 5
1 × 10 = 10
Equality 10 = 10
10 = 2
Multiplication 5
If you multiply both sides
5 × 10 = 2 × 5 of an equation by the
Property of 5 same number, the two
1 × 10 = 10 sides will remain equal.
Equality 10 = 10
Multiplicative Identity
Property of 1
Multiplicative
Identity a×1=1×a=a
Property of 1
Multiplicative Multiplying a factor
by one gives a
Identity a×1=1×a=a product identical
to the given factor.
Property of 1
 multiplicative inverse
1
5× =15
multiplicative
inverse multiplicative
inverse
1
5× =1 5
multiplicative One of two numbers
whose product is 1.
(also known
inverse multiplicative as reciprocal)

inverse
negative numbers
negative negative
numbers
z
e
r
o
positive
numbers

numbers
z

negative negative
numbers
e
r
o
positive
numbers
Numbers less
than 0.

numbers
 net
net
A two-dimensional shape
that can be folded into a

net three-dimensional figure is

a net of that figure. (also
known as a network)
 number line
number
line
number A diagram that
represents numbers
as points on a line.
line
 numerator
3 numerator

numerator 5
3 numerator
The number or

numerator expression written

above the line

5 in a fraction.
numerical expression
numerical
expression 5+9
numerical A mathematical

expression 5+9 statement including

numbers and
operations.
 obtuse triangle
obtuse
triangle
A triangle that
obtuse contains one angle
with a measure
greater than 90º

triangle (obtuse angle) and

two acute angles.
 opposites
+3 and -3 are opposites.

opposites –
START

+3 and -3 are opposites.

Having a different

opposites –
START

+ sign but the

same numeral.
Order of Operations
Parenthesis
Order of Order of
Operations
Exponents
Multiply/Divide
Operations How to do a math problem
with more than one operation
in the correct order.
Add/Subtract

Parenthesis

Order of Order of
Operations
Exponents An order, agreed on
by mathematicians,
for performing
Multply/Divide
Operations How to do a math problem
with more than one operation Add/Subtract
operations to
simplify expressions.
in the correct order.
 ordered pair
ordered pair (-5, 2)
(x , y)

A pair of numbers
that gives the
coordinates of a

ordered pair (-5, 2) point on a grid in this

order (horizontal
coordinate, vertical
coordinate). (also
(x , y) known as a
coordinate pair)
 origin
x-axis II I
origin

origin III IV

y-axis

x-axis II I The intersection of

origin
the x- and y-axes in

origin III IV
a coordinate plane,
described by the
ordered pair (0, 0).
y-axis
 ounce (oz)
ounce (oz)
A strawberry weighs about 1 ounce.

A customary unit of

ounce (oz) weight equal to one

sixteenth of a pound.
16 ounces = 1 pound

A strawberry weighs about 1 ounce.

 outlier
Hours Watching TV in One Week

outlier outlier

Hours Watching TV in One Week A number in a set of

data that is much

outlier outlier
larger or smaller than
most of the other
numbers in the set.
 parallelogram
parallelogram

A quadrilateral

parallelogram with 2 pairs of

parallel and
congruent sides.
 pattern
pattern blue
stars
red
2 4 6 8 10

1 2 3 4 5
stars

A repeating or
growing sequence.

pattern blue
stars
2 4 6 8 10
An ordered set of
numbers arranged
according to a rule.
red
1 2 3 4 5
stars
 percent
80% of
the
percent pentagon
is shaded.

80% of A special ratio

the that compares

percent pentagon
a number to
100 using the
symbol %.
is shaded.
 pint (pt)
The orange
juice carton

pint (pt) holds 1 pint.

The orange
juice carton
holds 1 pint. A customary unit

pint (pt) of capacity.

1 pint = 2 cups
 plot
The point is
plotted at

plot (3, -2).

The point is
plotted at To place points

plot (3, -2). on a graph or

coordinate plane.
 polygon
polygon
A closed figure formed

polygon from line segments

that meet only at
their endpoints.
 polyhedron
polyhedron
A three-dimensional
figure in which all the
polyhedron faces are polygons.
Polyhedrons have no
curved surfaces.
positive numbers
positive negative
numbers
z
e
r
o
positive
numbers

numbers
z

positive negative
numbers
e
r
o
positive
numbers
Numbers that are
greater than zero.

numbers
 pound (lb)
pound (lb)
A loaf of bread weighs about 1 pound.

A customary unit

pound (lb) of weight.

1 pound = 16 ounces

A loaf of bread weighs about 1 pound.

 prime factorization
18

prime 2 9

factorization 3
18 is equal to 2 × 32.
3

18

prime 2 9 The expression of a

number as the product of

factorization 3 3
its prime factors.

18 is equal to 2 × 32.
 prime number
prime
1×5=5
number 5 is a prime number.

prime A whole number greater

than 0 that has exactly
two different factors,

number 1×5=5 1 and itself.

5 is a prime number.
 prism
prism
A three-dimensional
figure that has two

prism congruent and parallel

faces that are polygons.
The remaining faces
are parallelograms.
 product
Sunglasses are $9.95 a pair.

$ 9.95

product × 3
$29.85

product

Sunglasses are $9.95 a pair.

$ 9.95
× 3
product $29.85
The result of
multiplication.

product
 proportion
2
4

proportion 2 4
4
8

=
4 8

2
4
An equation

proportion 4
8
showing that two
ratios are equivalent.
2 4
=
4 8
 pyramid
pyramid
A polyhedron whose
base is a polygon

pyramid and whose other

faces are triangles
that share a
common vertex.
 quadrants
y
Quadrant Quadrant
II I

quadrants Quadrant
III
Quadrant
IV
x

y
Quadrant Quadrant
II I The four sections of

quadrants Quadrant Quadrant

x
a coordinate grid
that are separated
by the axes.
III IV
 quadrilateral
quadrilateral

A polygon
quadrilateral with 4 sides.
 quantity
3 candies

quantity for
5 cents.

3 candies

quantity for
5 cents.
An amount.
 quart (qt)
The milk
carton holds
1 quart.

quart (qt)
The milk A customary unit
carton holds of capacity.
1 quart.
quart (qt) 1 quart = 2 pints
or
1 quart = 4 cups
 quotient
quotient

quotient 15 r2
9 137

quotient
The result of the

quotient 15 r2
9 137
division of one
quantity by another.
 range
x
x
x
5–1=4

range
x x
x x
x x x x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
Range is 4.

Number of Pets

x
x The difference
x
x x 5–1=4 between the greatest

range x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
Range is 4.
number and the
least number in a set
of numbers.

Number of Pets
 rate
rate The car was traveling 65 miles per
hour on the freeway.

rate A ratio comparing

two different units.

The car was traveling 65 miles per

hour on the freeway.
 ratio
ratio The ratio of chocolate bars to boys is
3:2.

A comparison of

ratio two numbers

using division.
The ratio of chocolate bars to boys is
3:2.
rational number
rational
number
rational A number that can
be expressed as a
ratio of two integers.
number
 reciprocal
1
5× =1
5

reciprocal reciprocal

1
5× =1
5 One of two numbers

reciprocal whose product is 1.

(also known as
multiplicative inverse)
reciprocal
 rectangle
rectangle
A quadrilateral with

rectangle 2 pairs of congruent,

parallel sides and
4 right angles.
regular polygon
regular
polygon
regular A polygon with all
sides the same length
and all angles

polygon the same measure.

 relative
frequency table
relative Spelling Test Scores
Scores Frequency
Relative
Frequency

frequency 0-5
6-10
11-15
1
3
7
5%
15%
35%

table 16-20 9 45%

relative Spelling Test Scores

Relative
A table which
shows the percent
Scores Frequency
frequency 0-5
6-10
1
3
Frequency
5%
15%
of time each data
item or group
table 11-15
16-20
7
9
35%
45%
of data occurs.
 repeating decimal
repeating 1
3
= 0.333333333333
1
decimal 7
= 0.142857142857

1
repeating 3
= 0.333333333333 A decimal which
has repeating digits
or a repeating

decimal 1
= 0.142857142857
pattern of digits.

7
right rectangular prism
right
rectangular
prism
right A prism with
6 rectangular faces
rectangular where the lateral edge
is perpendicular to the
plane of the base.
prism
 right triangle
right triangle
A triangle

right triangle that has one

90º angle.
scalene triangle
scalene
triangle
scalene A triangle that has
no congruent sides.

triangle
 signed number
signed -5 +8
number +45 -23
5
signed -5 +8 Positive or
negative number.

number +45 -23

 simplest form
simplest
4
8
1
2

form A fraction in simplest

form has the fewest
possible pieces.

4
8

simplest 1
2
A fraction is in simplest
form when the greatest
common factor of the
numerator and
form A fraction in simplest
form has the fewest
possible pieces.
denominator is 1.
 simplify
4
8

simplify 1
2

4
8

simplify 1
2
To express a fraction
in simplest form.
 solid figure
solid
figure
solid Three-dimensional
figure that has
length, width,

figure and height.

solution of an equation

solution of 18 = x + 11
an equation x=7

solution of 18 = x + 11 The value of a

variable that
makes the

an equation x=7 equation true.

solution of an inequality
n > 352
solution of an
n = 345 or n = 357
inequality False True

n > 352
solution of The value of a
variable that
n = 345 or n = 357 makes the
an inequality False True
inequality true.
 spread
Number of Weeks on the Top 200 Chart
16

14

Range = 80

spread
12

Frequency
10
8

6
4

2
0
1-20 21-40
Number 41-60
of Weeks 61-80

Number of Weeks on the Top 200 Chart

16 A measure of how much
14
a collection of data is
12
Range = 80 spread out. Commonly
Frequency

spread
10
8 used types include range
6
and quartiles. (also
4

2
known as measure
0 of variability)
Number of Weeks
 square
square
A parallelogram with

square 4 equal angles AND

4 equal sides.
statistical question
statistical How many pencils does
each student in our class
have in his or her desk?

question
How many pencils does

statistical each student in our class

have in his or her desk?
A question that
generates a variety
of categorical or
question numerical answers.
 statistical variability
interquartile

statistical range

variability
interquartile
range

statistical A spread in the

distribution of data.
An example is the
variability interquartile range.
 statistics
This baseball card shows statistics for a
famous baseball player.

statistics
This baseball card shows statistics for a
famous baseball player.
The science of

statistics collecting, organizing,

representing, and
interpreting data.
 substitution
If x is equal to 9, then …

substitution 8x + 4 = ?

8(9) + 4 = 76

If x is equal to 9, then …
The replacement of
the letters in an
substitution 8x + 4 = ? algebraic expression
with known values.
8(9) + 4 = 76
Subtraction Property
of Equality
Subtraction 9 + 7 = 16
9 + 7 – 7 = 16 – 7
Property of 9+0=9
Equality 9=9

Subtraction 9 + 7 = 16
If you subtract the same
9 + 7 – 7 = 16 – 7 number from both sides
Property of 9+0=9 of an equation, the two
sides will remain equal.
Equality 9=9
 subtrahend
27.34
subtrahend ˗ 8.29 subtrahend
19.05

27.34 In subtraction,
the subtrahend
subtrahend ˗ 8.29 subtrahend is the number
being subtracted.
19.05
 sum
45.3 + 92.9 = 138.2
sum
sum

45.3 + 92.9 = 138.2

sum The result
of addition.

sum
 surface area
Surface Area =

surface 4 cm2
8 cm2

8 cm2 4 cm2
40 cm2

8 cm2

area 8 cm2

Surface Area =
The total area of
surface 4 cm2
8 cm2

8 cm2 4 cm2
40 cm2

8 cm2
the faces
(including the
bases) and curved

area 8 cm2
surfaces of a
solid figure.
 table
Number of Books Read
Student in the Summer

table
Sara 3
Jose 8
Timothy 2
Belinda 3
Gretchen 11
Trevor 7

Number of Books Read

Student in the Summer An organized way to

table
Sara 3 list data. Tables
Jose 8
Timothy 2 usually have rows
Belinda 3 and columns of data.
Gretchen 11
Trevor 7
 tape diagram
156 vehicles drove by the

tape school. There were 3 times

as many passenger cars as
trucks. How many vehicles
were trucks?

diagram passenger cars

trucks

A drawing that
156 vehicles drove by the looks like a segment
school. There were 3 times

tape as many passenger cars as

trucks. How many vehicles
were trucks?
of tape, used to
illustrate number
relationships. (also
known as a strip
diagram passenger cars

trucks
diagram, bar model,
fraction strip, or
length model)
 term
5x + 14
term
terms
5x + 14 A number, variable,

term product, or quotient in an

expression. A term is not
a sum or difference.

terms
terminating decimal
1 1
terminating 4
= 0.25
5
= 0.2

decimal 1
= 0.125
1
= 0.1
8 10

1 1
= 0.25 = 0.2
terminating 4 5 A decimal which has a
finite number of digits.
decimal 1
= 0.125
1
= 0.1
8 10
 third quartile
Q3

third
quartile
Q3
The third quartile is the

third
middle (the median) of the
upper half of the data on a
box plot. One-fourth of
the data lies above the
third quartile and

quartile three-fourths lies below.

(also known as Q3 or
upper quartile)
 three-dimensional
figure
three-
dimensional
figure
three- A solid figure that
dimensional has length, width,
and height.

figure
 ton (T)
ton (T)
A small car weighs about 1 ton.

A customary unit of weight.

1 ton (T) = 2,000 pounds

ton (T) A metric ton (t) is a unit of

mass equal to 1,000 kilograms
(about 2,200 pounds).
A small car weighs about 1 ton.
 trapezoid
trapezoid
A quadrilateral with

trapezoid one pair of parallel sides

and one pair of sides
that are not parallel.
 two-dimensional
figure
two-
dimensional
figure
two- A plane, flat
dimensional figure that has
length and width.

figure
 unit cube
Volume of 1 cubic
(cm3) centimeter

unit cube 1 cm

1 cm
1 cm

Volume of 1 cubic
(cm3) centimeter
A precisely fixed

unit cube 1 cm
1 cm
quantity used to
measure volume.
1 cm
 unit fraction
unit 1 1
2

fraction 2
unit 1 A fraction that has
1 as its numerator.
A unit fraction

2
names 1 equal part

fraction of a whole.
 unit rate
Cereal is
unit rate $0.43 per
1 ounce.

Cereal is
unit rate $0.43 per
1 ounce.
A rate with a
denominator of 1.
 unit square
1 unit

unit square 1 unit 1 unit

1 unit

1 unit

A square with side

unit square 1 unit 1 unit lengths of 1 unit

each. It has an area
of 1 square unit.

1 unit
 upper extreme
upper upper extreme

extreme
upper extreme The greatest or largest

upper number out of a data set,

usually farther away
from interquartile range
than other data in set.
extreme (also known
as maximum)
 upper quartile
Q3

upper
quartile
Q3
The upper quartile is the

upper
middle (the median) of the
upper half of the data on a
box plot. One-fourth of
the data lies above the
upper quartile and

quartile three-fourths lies below.

(also known as Q3
or third quartile)
 value
5x – 2 = 23
value The value of
x is 5.

5x – 2 = 23
value The value of
The amount
something is worth.

x is 5.
 variable
2n + 3 = 11
variable variable

A quantity that
2n + 3 = 11 changes or can have
different values.

variable A symbol, usually a

letter, that can
stand for a
variable variable quantity.
 vertex
vertex
The point at which
two line segments,

vertex lines, or rays meet

to form an angle.
(plural - vertices)
 volume
3 units

volume 2 units

Volume =
33 cubic units

3 units
The number

volume 2 units

Volume =
of cubic units
it takes to
fill a figure.

33 cubic units
 weight
weight

weight The measure of how

heavy something is.
 whole numbers
whole
0, 1, 2, 3…
numbers
whole Whole numbers are

0, 1, 2, 3… 0 and the counting

numbers 1, 2, 3,

numbers and so on.

 ax-axis
x-axis x-axis

x-axis x-axis
In a Cartesian grid,
the horizontal axis.
 x-coordinate
(7, 2)
x-coordinate
x-coordinate

(7, 2) In an ordered

x-coordinate pair, the value

that is always
written first.

x-coordinate
 y-axis
y-axis

y-axis
y-axis

y-axis In a Cartesian grid,

the vertical axis.
 y-coordinate
(7, 2)
y-coordinate
y-coordinate

(7, 2) In an ordered

y-coordinate pair, the value

that is always
written second.

y-coordinate