Secondary Math Vocabulary
Language is a very powerful tool and should be used to foster the learning of mathematics. Communicating about mathematical ideas is a way for students to articulate, clarify, organize, and consolidate their thinking. Communication makes mathematical thinking observable and therefore facilitates further development of that thought. It encourages students to reflect on their own knowledge and their own ways of solving problems.
Communication can consist not only of conversations between student and teacher or one student and another student but also of students listening to a number of peers and joining group discussions in order to clarify, question, and extend conjectures. The discourse should not be a goal in itself but rather should be focused on making sense of mathematical ideas and using them effectively in modeling solving problems.
From Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, NCTM
