Maths Terms for 11-13 Yr Olds

In the context of division requiring a whole number answer (quotient), the amount remaining after the operation. Example: 29 divided by 7 = 4 remainder 1.

Scalar quantities have magnitude (size) but no direction. Temperature, for example, is a scalar. This sets them apart from vectors, which have size and direction (for example gravitational attraction, which acts towards the centre of a mass (mostly the Earth) and varies in size depending how far you are from the Earth). 

A succession of terms formed according to a rule. There is a definite relation between one term and the next or between each term and its position in the sequence. Example: for the sequence 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 etc., each term is the square of number of the term's position in the sequence.

The run of digits in a number that is needed to specify the number to a required degree of accuracy. Additional zero digits may also be needed to indicate the number's magnitude. Examples: To the nearest thousand, the numbers 125 000, 2 376 000 and 22 000 have 3, 4 and 2 significant figures respectively; to 3 significant figures 98.765 is written 98.8

A fraction where the numerator and denominator are both integers. Also known as a common or vulgar fraction.

A number that can be expressed as the product of two equal numbers. Example 36 = 6 x 6 and so 36 is a square number.

An expression including one or more square roots (or cube roots, fourth roots, etc.)

Not changing; remaining constant. Uniform acceleration, for example, would be to increase speed at a constant rate. Gravitational acceleration on Earth is uniform up to the point of terminal velocity- a falling body gains an extra 9.8 metres per second of speed every second.

A quantity that has magnitude and direction, for example displacement. Displacement (for example one metre North) combines a scalar quantity (distance displaced) with a direction to make a vector quantity.