I often hear adults ask why children need to learn specific maths terms – especially ones like minuend or subtrahend that “they’ll never use in secondary school” or that “I never needed to know”. Others worry that maths vocabulary is “over-complicated,” “too difficult,” or even “unnecessary.”
In this blog, I want to challenge those ideas and share why using accurate maths vocabulary from the start is actually a powerful tool – for learners, parents and teachers.
We expect specific language in other subjects – why not maths?
In science, we expect children to say offspring instead of babies. In geography, we distinguish between a stream, river and sea, not just water. In phonics, children confidently use terms like phoneme, digraph, and split digraph – and we’ve moved past the old magic e! So why do terms like sum, product, subtrahend or quotient still feel so foreign in maths?
Children are capable of learning big words!
It’s easy to underestimate how quickly children can learn new language – especially when we model it consistently. Just think: how many four-year-olds can confidently name a triceratops or diplodocus? We don’t stop them at “dinosaur,” and rightly so. The same logic applies in maths.
If we don’t use words like addend and sum in Year 1, for example, we’re missing the chance to build strong mathematical foundations early on:
addend + addend = sum
sum = addend + addend
Children can learn these structures – and they often enjoy the challenge.
Sometimes it’s the adults who feel intimidated
Let’s be honest: one of the biggest barriers is our own confidence. If you’re not quite sure what minuend or subtrahend means, it’s natural to avoid using them. But learning maths vocabulary is a bit like learning a new language. You don’t master it by reading alone – you learn by using it out loud, again and again.
The good news? The more you practise, the more natural it feels.
What’s in it for learners?
So why make the effort? What’s the benefit of teaching and using precise language in maths? Here are just a few key reasons:
1. It structures thinking
Instead of saying, “I multiplied that by that and got the answer,” using precise language helps generalise understanding:
“I multiplied the base by the height to find the area of the rectangle.”
This gives children a repeatable structure they can apply in other contexts.
2. It builds confidence
Children often struggle to explain their reasoning—not because they don’t know the answer, but because they lack the words. Giving them sentence stems like:
“14 is made of pairs: it is an even number.”
…or…
“15 is not made of pairs: it is an odd number.”
empowers them to express themselves clearly and confidently.
3. It supports progression
Consistent vocabulary across year groups helps pupils build on what they know. For instance:
“3 ones times 4 ones = 12 ones”
can evolve into:
“3 tens times 4 tens = 12 tens”
or even:
“3 thousandths times 4 thousandths = 12 thousandths”
The structure stays the same – just the scale changes.
4. It tackles misconceptions
Language matters for understanding, especially in tricky topics like fractions. If we say “top number” and “bottom number” instead of numerator and denominator, we can accidentally reinforce the idea that fractions are just two whole numbers stacked on top of each other.
Precise terms help pupils see the parts of a whole more clearly:
Denominator: How many equal parts the whole is divided into
Numerator: How many of those parts we’re working with
And what about learners with dyscalculia?
Many children with dyscalculia are articulate and strong verbal reasoners. For them, having the language to describe mathematical concepts can be a game-changer – even if number sense is a challenge. Vocabulary gives them a foothold in the subject and helps them develop understanding in ways that suit their strengths.
Ready to Give It a Go?
Yes, using precise vocabulary might feel a little daunting at first – but the payoff is huge. When children understand the language of maths, they gain confidence, deepen their thinking and build lasting connections.
If you’re ready to start, check out my weekly series on my Facebook page. Each post introduces a key maths term used in primary schools, with simple explanations you can use at home or in class.
Let’s give children the tools – and the words – they need to succeed.
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