math

math — noun

1. The study of numbers, shapes, measurements, and patterns — taught as a school su

1.名詞A2
釋義

The study of numbers, shapes, measurements, and patterns — taught as a school subject and used for solving everyday problems.

例句

Nellie finished her math homework before dinner and helped her younger brother with his.

collocation: math homework

The math test on Friday covers fractions, decimals, and basic algebra.

collocation: math test

同義詞
  • mathematics

    the full, more formal term for the subject; 'math' is the common shortened form

  • arithmetic

    refers specifically to basic number operations, while 'math' covers a broader field including algebra and geometry

用法筆記

In British English, the equivalent word is 'maths' (e.g., 'maths homework'). 'Math' can also be used as a short written form for 'mathematical' (a math problem = a mathematical problem) or, very rarely, for 'mathematician'.

常見錯誤

❌The math are difficult for me.
✅Math is difficult for me.
💡'Math' is uncountable and takes a singular verb in most contexts.
❌She studies math, physic, and chemistry.
✅She studies math, physics, and chemistry.
💡The subject is 'physics', not 'physic'.

2. The act of adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing numbers to find an answ

2.名詞B1
釋義

The act of adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing numbers to find an answer or check whether something is correct.

例句

Yara did the math and realized she had enough for the bus ticket.

collocation: do the math

The waiter checked the math on the bill before bringing it to the table.

collocation: check the math

同義詞
  • calculation

    more formal and refers to the process explicitly; 'math' is the everyday, informal term

  • arithmetic

    narrower — only basic operations; 'math' can include any kind of numerical work

  • sums

    British informal term for arithmetic problems, especially for children

用法筆記

In this sense, 'math' refers to the actual numerical work someone does, not the subject as a field. Often appears with possessive determiners: 'my math', 'your math'.

常見錯誤

❌I made a math.
✅I did the math.' or 'I made a calculation.
💡'Math' is uncountable; you cannot say 'a math'.
❌She did the math and the numbers was wrong.
✅She did the math, and the numbers were wrong.
💡Subject-verb agreement: 'numbers' is plural, so use 'were'.