Basic Details
Word: Mathematics
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The science of numbers, quantities, shapes and patterns, and of how they relate to each other.
Synonyms: maths
Word origin: Comes from Greek mathema, learning, from manthanein, to learn.
How to Spell Mathematics
Syllables: math - e - mat - ics
Tricky part: The e after math is often swallowed in speech, so students write mathmatics. The word ends in s but is singular: mathematics is.
Watch out for: mathmatics, mathamatics, methematics
Memory tip: The word thematic is hidden inside it: ma + thematic + s. Spell those three pieces and the e takes care of itself.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Mathematics is my favourite subject because every problem has a clear answer.
Example 2: Architects use mathematics to make sure buildings stand firm.
Example 3: She is studying mathematics at a university in Chennai.
Fun Fact
India celebrates National Mathematics Day on 22 December, the birthday of Srinivasa Ramanujan, who was born in Erode in 1887 and had very little formal training in the subject.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. arithmatic 2. geomatry 3. algibra 4. mathematics
a) the whole subject that studies numbers, shapes and patterns
b) the branch that studies lines, angles, surfaces and solids
c) working with numbers by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing
d) the branch that uses letters to stand for unknown numbers
Show answer
a) the whole subject that studies numbers, shapes and patterns. Algebra has an e, geometry an e after m, and arithmetic an e before tic. Mathematics, with its e after math, is right.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
mathematicks
a) t
b) c
c) k
d) s
Show answer
c) k. Mathematics ends in ics, with no k.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Our school team won first prize at the state stamhicteam olympiad held in Bhopal.
a) metaphysics
b) mathematics
c) mathematician
d) mathematical
Show answer
b) mathematics. These eleven letters end in s and have no l, n, p or y, so they make mathematics.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Mathematics ends in s but takes a singular verb. Which sentence is correct?
a) Mathematics is taught every day.
b) Mathematic is taught every day.
c) Mathematics are taught every day.
d) Mathematics were taught every days.
Show answer
a) Mathematics is taught every day.
2. A person who studies mathematics deeply is called a ____.
a) mathematician
b) magician
c) musician
d) physician
Show answer
a) mathematician
