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SAT Math Must-Know Vocabulary Summary

• This list of math vocabulary words includes math terms that appear repeatedly on the SAT. While there are more math words that you need to know besides these (for example: “tangent” and “perpendicular”), the following are some of the most frequently appearing terms. Having a good vocabulary is helpful for math also.
  
• integers Numbers with no fractional part: . . . , −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .
• remainder The integer amount left over after division of integers. For example, the remainder when 66 is divided by 7 is 3.
• even integers Divisible by 2: . . . , −6, −4, −2, 0, 2, 4, 6, . . .
• odd integers Not divisible by 2: . . . , −5, −3, −1, 1, 3, 5, . . .
• positive numbers Numbers strictly greater than zero. Zero is not positive.
• negative numbers Numbers strictly less than zero. Zero is not negative.
• multiple The product of a particular number and any integer. The multiples of 15 are: . . . , −45, −30, −15, 0, 15, 30, 45, . . .
• factor An integer that can divide a particular number without a remainder. The factors of 12 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
• prime A positive integer that has only two factors: itself and 1. The first few primes are: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, . . .
• average The sum of a group of numbers divided by the number of numbers. Also called the “arithmetic mean”.
• median The number in the middle of a group of numbers after the group has been numerically sorted.
• mode The number or numbers in a group which appear most often.
• in terms of For example, if y = 2x and you are asked to solve for x “in terms of” y, the answer is x = y/2.
• less, fewer For example, “y is three less than twice x” is equivalent to y = 2x − 3, and “a fewer than b” is the same as b − a.