UK - US Mathematical Dictionary

Mathematics is often described as the universal language, and English as the great international language. So you would think that English and American mathematical language would be the same. Not always so, I'm afraid! So this page is to promote cross-Atlantic understanding by trying to list common differences in mathematical language across the ocean. Please let me know what you'd like to see, and please email me if you see something which is not correct.

UK English US English
Maths Math
to factorise to factor
brackets parentheses
simultaneous equations systems of equations
Pythagoras Theorem Pythagorean Theorem
gradient slope
trapezium trapezoid
right-angled triangle right triangle
Sine Rule Law of Sines
Cosine Rule Law of Cosines
anti-clockwise counter-clockwise
standard index form scientific notation
enlargement dilation
   

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