Words for addition subtraction multiplication and division

The Basic Operations

In basic mathematics there are many ways of saying the same thing:

Symbol

Words Used

+

Addition, Add, Sum, Plus, Increase, Total

Subtraction, Subtract, Minus, Less, Difference, Decrease, Take Away, Deduct

×

Multiplication, Multiply, Product, By, Times, Lots Of

÷

Division, Divide, Quotient, Goes Into, How Many Times

Addition is ...

... bringing two or more numbers (or things) together to make a new total.

The numbers to be added together are called the "Addends":

Subtraction is ...

... taking one number away from another.

Minuend − Subtrahend = Difference

Minuend: The number that is to be subtracted from.
Subtrahend: The number that is to be subtracted.
Difference: The result of subtracting one number from another.

Multiplication is ...

... (in its simplest form) repeated addition.

Here we see that 6+6+6 (three 6s) make 18:

It can also be said that 3+3+3+3+3+3 (six 3s) make 18

But we can also multiply by fractions or decimals, which goes beyond the simple idea of repeated addition:

Example: 3.5 × 5 = 17.5

which is 3.5 lots of 5, or 5 lots of 3.5

Division is ...

... splitting into equal parts or groups. It is the result of "fair sharing".

Division has its own special words to remember.

Let's take the simple question of 22 divided by 5. The answer is 4, with 2 left over.

Here we see the important words:

Words for addition subtraction multiplication and division

Which can also be in this form:

A Fraction is ...

... part of a whole.

The top part (the numerator) says how many parts we have.

The bottom part (the denominator) says how many parts the whole is divided into.

See Fractions for more details.

A Decimal Number is ...

... a number that contains a Decimal Point.

See Decimals for more details.

A Percentage is ...

... parts per 100. The symbol is %

Example: 25% means 25 per 100 (25% of this box is green)

See Percentages for more details.

Average (Mean) is ...

... the sum divided by the count.

We calculate the average by adding up all the values, then divide by how many values.

Example: What is the average of 9, 2, 12 and 5?

Add up all the values: 9 + 2 + 12 + 5 = 28

Divide by how many values (there are four of them): 28 ÷ 4 = 7

So the average is 7

See Mean for more details.

Words for addition subtraction multiplication and division

PDF | 5 pages | Grades: 2 - 6

A set of five posters listing key words for each of the four operations and the equal sign.

Use these posters as anchor charts when teaching your students how to problem solve in mathematics. Print on cardstock for added durability.

This download includes key word posters for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and equal.

There are two print options available for this set of posters:

  • Print on tabloid paper to display around your classroom for students to reference when solving math problem.
  • Print on letter-size paper and have the students glue them into their math journal for future reference.

Use the drop-down menu to choose the size that best fits your needs.

Curriculum

  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.OA.A.1

    Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using drawings and equations with...

  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.D.8

    Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including roundi...

  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.OA.A.2

    Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing multiplicative comparison from additive comparison.

Words for addition subtraction multiplication and division

Teach Starter Publishing

We create premium quality, downloadable teaching resources for primary/elementary school teachers that make classrooms buzz!

Find more resources like this

  • Mathematics
  • Number and Operations
  • Operations
  • Multiplication
  • Subtraction
  • Problem Solving
  • Solve
  • Addition
  • Division
  • Posters
  • Grade 2
  • Grade 3
  • Grade 4
  • Grade 5
  • Grade 6
  • PDF

What are the keywords for addition and subtraction?

Keywords like sum, add, combine, and more than indicate addition. Keywords like minus, difference, fewer, and take away indicate subtraction.

What word goes with addition and multiplication?

The Basic Operations.

What are the key words for multiplication?

Some multiplication keywords, such as DOUBLE, TWICE, and TRIPLE, translate into a number and the operation of multiplication, as shown in Examples 12 and 13. The expression translates to 2 × x.