Many people believe that their life has nothing to do with mathematics and they do not need to understand the jungle of this topic in English. But numbers surround us everywhere: phone numbers, credit cards, flights, not to mention dates. Today’s material will be useful to everyone: enthusiastic mathematics enthusiasts and humanists far from the world of exact sciences.

I would like to start with numerals ( numerals), because this is the first thing we encounter in a mathematical context. Let me remind you that there are two types of numerals: (answer the question “how many?”) and (answer the question “which number?”).

Let's reverse Special attention on the pronunciation of certain numerals, since this seemingly simple point sometimes causes confusion even among experienced “users” of the language.

A series of numbers ( series of numbers): When we say the series of numbers that make up a bank account, credit card or phone number, we say each digit separately. In this case, zero is pronounced as oh in the British version, and how zero– in American:

His credit card number is 5368 7208 0944 0699 (five three six eight, seven two oh/zero eight...). – His credit card number is 5368 7208 0944 0699.

Moreover, if a phone number contains two identical digits next to each other, it says, for example double nine:

My friend’s number is 2290 4566 (double two nine oh four five double six). – My friend’s phone number is 2290...

Naming decimal fractions ( decimals), we use words thought(British English) and zero(US English): 10.39 ( ten point thirty-nine) – ten point thirty nine hundredths. You can learn more about the pronunciation features in our article.

And finally we move on to mathematical operations ( mathematical operations): addition ( addition), subtraction ( subtraction), multiplication ( multiplication) and division ( division).

• To add to / to plus- add.
• To minus / to subtract from– subtract.
• To multiply by- multiply.
• To divide by- divide.
• To equal- equal

Glossary on the topic "Mathematics"

1. To do sums / to solve problems– solve examples, problems.
   

   He is the best at doing sums in our class. – He solves examples better than anyone in our class.

2. Common denominator- common denominator.
   

   The task is to reduce to the common denominator. – The task is to bring it to a common denominator.

3. Difference– difference.
   

   The difference of 15 and 10 is 5. – The difference between fifteen and ten is five.

4. Equation /ɪˈkweɪʒ(ə)n/ - the equation.
   

   Solve the equation. – Solve the equation.

5. Improper fraction- improper fraction.
   

   “Improper fractions” are not an easy topic for him. “Improper fractions” is not an easy topic for him.

6. Mixed fraction– mixed fraction.
   

   He knows exactly what a mixed fraction is. “He knows exactly what a mixed fraction is.”

7. Numerator /ˈnjuːməˌreɪtə(r)/ – numerator.
   

   Numerator is the number above the line in a common fraction showing how many of the parts indicated by the denominator are taken. – The numerator is the number above the simple fraction line, showing how many parts indicated by the denominator are taken.

8. Quotient /ˈkwəʊʃ(ə)nt/ – quotient (when dividing).
   

   Quotient is a result obtained by dividing one quantity by another. – A quotient is a value obtained by dividing a certain number by another.

9. Remainder- remainder.
   

   Remainder is the number that is left over in a division in which one quantity does not exactly divide another – The remainder is the number that remains as a result of division, when one number is not divisible by another without a remainder.

10. Cube root of- cube root of.
    

    Find the cube root of 15. – Find the cube root of 15.

11. Inequality /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ – inequality.
    

    Inequality is the relation between two expressions that are not equal. – Inequality is a relationship between two expressions that are not the same.

12. Equality/ɪˈkwɒləti/ – equality.
    

    Equality is the condition of being equal in number or amount. – Equality is the identity of a number or quantity.

13. Mathematical sign– mathematical sign.
    

    Minus is an example of a mathematical sign. – A minus sign is an example of a mathematical sign.

14. Multiplication table– multiplication table.
    

    Schoolchildren learn the multiplication table all over the world. – Schoolchildren all over the world are learning the multiplication tables.

15. Parentheses /pəˈrenθəsɪs/ or round brackets– round/oval brackets.
    

    Parentheses are widely used in mathematics. – Parentheses are widely used in mathematics.

16. Right angle– right angle.
    

    The right angle is 90˚ (degrees). – A right angle is 90 degrees.

And at the end of the article I would like to invite you to take a short test. But don't worry! This is not a math lesson! :-)

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Test

Talking about mathematics in English

If different prepositions are required with different nouns, they must be used. Skipping prepositions in such cases is unacceptable

You can only omit identical prepositions when listing homogeneous members of a sentence, but you cannot omit different prepositions.

For example:

We were at the cinema, in the park and stadium (missing preposition with noun stadium, the preposition is repeated with the word park).

Right:

We went to the cinema, the park and the stadium.

For example:

I need to go to the station, to the post office and to the store (the preposition ON is repeated). Right:

I need to go to the station, post office and store.

3. Incorrect construction of sentences with homogeneous members:

a) It is impossible to combine in one sentence using a conjunction And the participial phrase and the attributive clause with allied words which, which, which, which.

For example:

Young woman, sitting near the window and which She sang well and was captivated by everyone.

Participial phrases and subordinate clauses cannot act as homogeneous members. The conjunction I must connect identical grammatical constructions: either two participial phrases or two attributive clauses.

Right:

Young woman, sitting by the window and good singing, remembered by everyone.

Young woman, which sat by the window and ( which) sang well and was remembered by everyone.

To eliminate such errors, the following restructuring of the sentence is possible:

The girl who sat by the window sang well and was remembered by everyone.

b) An addition expressed by a noun and a subordinate clause cannot act as homogeneous members.

For example:

Economists say about reducing inflation and what delays there will be no more salaries.

Union AND must combine identical grammatical structures: or two objects expressed by nouns; or two subordinate clauses.

Right:

Economists talk about a decline inflation and about the absence salary delays.

V) You cannot combine a noun and an infinitive as homogeneous members in one sentence.

For example:

I I love English language and decide examples.

Right: I love English language and mathematics.

d) It is impossible to combine predicates expressed by different forms of adjectives as homogeneous members in one sentence.

For example:

Everyone was happy and cheerful (happy is a short adjective; cheerful is a full adjective).

In this sentence there is a violation of the way of expressing the predicate.

Right:

Everyone was happy and cheerful (both predicates are expressed by short adjectives).

Or: Everyone was happy and cheerful (both predicates are expressed as full adjectives).

Relative simplicity and versatility! Today we are discussing the merits of the English language!

Friends, I am glad to welcome you again to my blog about learning English and self-development. You probably noticed that in Lately I started writing on my blog more often than usual. I really hope that my newsletter does not cause you any inconvenience... I try to share with you the most useful material related, first of all, to learning English!

Since this site is also my online diary, of course, sometimes I leave here my personal thoughts on a particular topic that I find interesting. I think you understand this. If you are tired of my newsletter, then please do not forget that it is voluntary, and you can unsubscribe from it with one click by clicking on the appropriate link at the very end of all letters that you receive by email 😉

Returning to the topic of today's article, I would really like to ask you what you like most about English language?

Easy peasy (Easily simple).

The statement that English is easy to learn is quite relative, isn't it? If we are talking about spoken English, then discussing some everyday topic in this language with a friend is really not difficult. At the same time, it is not even necessary to have an extensive vocabulary. Of course, the more English words and phrases you know and, most importantly, know how to use them correctly, the more beautiful your speech will be, and the more you can tell your interlocutor in English. The most important role here is played by your so-called one, which you should try to develop by speaking English as often as possible.

The universality of the English language.

Personally, I believe that English is the most universal language in the modern world. By universal I mean its popularity. Agree that no matter what country you are in, English will become your lifeline, with the help of which you can always communicate with local residents, ask for help, solve this or that problem, etc. It is not for nothing that English has long received world status language.

Well, what do you say, friends? Why do you love English? Or maybe you don't like it? I'm very interested to know your opinion!

The most common simple fractions.

Even if your professional activity has nothing to do with the exact sciences, you at least need to know basic mathematical operations in English. They are found not only in specialized literature, but also in everyday speech. In this article we will look at terms related to arithmetic problems, fractions, percentages. At the end I provide spoken cards with basic words on the topic of mathematics.

Basic math operations in English: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

The most common mathematical terms relate to arithmetic. Please note that in Russian we have words such as:

1. Addition, subtraction, division, multiplication - the name of the action.
2. Add, subtract, divide, multiply - a verb denoting an action.
3. Plus, minus, divide, multiply - the name of the action that we use in speech when we read the expression, it is the one that is used most often.

It’s exactly the same in English, so let’s present arithmetic operations in the form of a table:

Herself arithmetic problem(for example, 2+2) is called problem(scientific) or sum(colloquial version), solution or answer - answer, and the verb “decide” is to solve (the problem).

Let me give you examples:

• 2+2=4 – Two plus two equals four.
• 7-2=5 – Seven minus two equals five.

Often instead equals or is equal to they just say is.

• 5×3=15 – Five times three is fifteen.
• 8÷4=2 – Eight divided by four is two.

Fractions in English

Common fractions

If you are as “perfect” in mathematics as I am, let me remind you of the most basic things about fractions.

Common fractions consist of numerator (numerator) and denominator (denominator). Let me remind you that the numerator is on top, the denominator is below 🙂 If a number consists of a whole and a fraction, for example 1½, this is called a mixed fraction or mixed numeral.

The numerator is expressed as a cardinal number, and the denominator as an ordinal number. The most common fractions in speech, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 in Russian, have not only the “smart” names “one second”, “one third”, one fourth, but also simple ones: half, third, quarter. It's exactly the same in English.

• 1/2 – a half, one half.
• 1/3 – a third, one third.
• 1/4 – a quarter, one fourth.
• 1/5 – one fifth.
• 1/6 – one sixth.
• 2/3 – two thirds.
• 3/4 – three fourths.
• 1/8 – one eighth.
• 1/10 – a tenth.
• 1/100 – a hundredth.
• 1¼ – one and a quarter.
• 1½ – one and a half.
• 1¾ – one and three quarters.

Please note that when the numerator is greater than one, it is added to the ending -s, since the denominator is used in plural(as in Russian: two thirds, three fourths).

A noun that is qualified by a fraction is used with of:

• 3/4 mile – Three fourths of a mile.
• 1/4 bottle – A quarter of a bottle.

Noun defined mixed fraction, used without a preposition, but in the plural:

• 2 ½ miles – Two and a half miles.
• 1¼ bottles – One and a quarter bottles.

Decimal fractions, decimals

In English in decimals (decimals) the whole is separated from the fraction by a dot (point), and not a comma, like ours.

The zero before the dot is called zero or (UK version) thought. The zero after the dot can be called oh(like the letter “o”), zero, nothing. Personally, for simplicity, I always say zero, because this word is easier to pronounce and hear. If the whole number in a fraction is zero, it is often omitted in speech, starting immediately with “point”.

The integer is read as a regular cardinal number, for example 45.1 – forty five point one. But in the fractional part, each figure is read separately, also as a quantity: 2.45 – two point four five(not two point forty five).

• 0.1 – Point one, zero point one.
• 0.35 – Point three five, zero point three five.
• 1.25 – One point two five.
• 35.158 – Thirty five point one five eight.
• 15.05 – Fifteen point zero five.

Percentages in English, difficulties with verb number

Hundredths can be expressed using percentages, in which case the standard % symbol and the word are used percent, always used in the singular.

• 1% – One percent.
• 10% – Ten percent.
• 17% – Seventeen percent.

Numbers in expressions with percentages can be difficult. For example:

• Twenty percent of the students are/is present. – 20% of students are present.
• The remaining twenty percent of the script has/have has been rewritten. – The remaining 20% ​​of the script was rewritten.

In such cases, the verb agrees in number with the noun after of:

• Twenty percent of the students are present (since students are plural).
• The remaining twenty percent of the script has has been rewritten (since script is a singular number).

Exponentiation in English

Expressions are used to denote degrees to the power of five, to the fifth power, raised to the power of five, raised to the fifth power. For the 2nd and 3rd degrees the terms “squared” are used (squared) and “in a cube” (cubed).

• 3 2 – Three squared, three to the second power.
• 3 3 – Three cubed, three to the third power.
• 10 4 – Ten to the fourth power, ten to the power of ten.
• 30 24 – Thirty to the power of twenty four.

The square root is called square root:

• √16 = 4 – The square root of sixteen is four.
• √25 = 5 – The square root of twenty five is five.

Mathematical Expressions with Parentheses

The parentheses are called parentheses(unit parenthesis) or, more simply, round brackets. If an expression is in parentheses and an operation is applied to it, the word is used quantity.

• (2+3)×4=24 – Two plus three quantity times four equals to twenty four.
• (3+5) 2=64 – Three plus five quantity squared is sixty four.

Cards with English words on the topic “Mathematics”

You can learn the math terms in this article using flashcards on Quizlet and printable PDF flashcards.