arithmetic
arithmetic — noun
1. the area of mathematics in which you work with whole numbers using the four basi
the area of mathematics in which you work with whole numbers using the four basic operations: adding, taking away, multiplying, and dividing.
Mr. Lin teaches arithmetic to first-grade students every Tuesday morning.
school subject context: teach arithmetic
Before learning algebra, children spend several years on basic arithmetic.
uncountable: no article needed
Ms. Park drilled her third-graders on arithmetic with flashcards every Friday afternoon.
Sofia struggled with arithmetic in primary school but later loved geometry.
The textbook covers arithmetic, fractions, and simple word problems.
- mathematics
broader; includes algebra, geometry, and more
- math
informal American shortening of mathematics
- maths
informal British shortening of mathematics
文法句型
uncountable noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names the school subject or branch of math itself; sense 2 names the act of calculating.
常見錯誤
2. the act of working out an answer with numbers — for example, adding up a bill or
the act of working out an answer with numbers — for example, adding up a bill or checking that two columns of figures match.
A quick bit of arithmetic showed Rohan the trip would cost over 8000 dollars.
result of calculation reveals a fact
The waiter's arithmetic was wrong, so we paid five dollars too much.
possessive: someone's arithmetic = their calculation
I'm terrible at arithmetic, so I always use my phone at the supermarket.
Diego did the arithmetic in his head and counted out exact change for the bus driver.
- calculation
more formal; often used in technical or financial contexts
- sums
informal British; usually plural
- computation
formal; suggests longer or more complex working
文法句型
uncountable noun
用法筆記
Often appears with 'do', 'a bit of', or possessives ('your arithmetic'). Distinguish from sense 1: here arithmetic refers to the calculation itself, not the school subject.