Learning Vocabulary

The vocabulary assigned to various math ideas and concepts is not arbitrary (random). Often the words that name ideas and concepts actually describe the idea or concept.   For example, the term abundant number is used to describe a number in which the sum of the proper factors is greater than the number itself.  The word abundant means many, a lot, or sometimes excess.  If we understand the reason for the vocabulary we can better makes sense of the concepts.

Additionally, there are many strategies to understand and make sense of vocabulary.  The strategy of words maps is used below.  Understanding the vocabulary in math or science is half the battle in understanding the content of each subject.