What do you call a math problem that uses addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?

• A. Expression
• B. Number sentence
• C. Operation
• D. Equation

Answer: (C)

In math vocabulary, a problem that uses addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division is best described as an expression. An expression is a math phrase that combines numbers with operation signs to show a value you would compute. It doesn’t include an equals sign, so it isn’t making a statement about equality. For example, 8 + 5 or 12 ÷ 3 − 1 uses these operations to express a value.

The word operation refers to the action itself (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) and isn’t the name of the problem. If you see an equation like 8 + 5 = 13, or a statement with a relation sign like 9 − 4 > 3, that’s a number sentence or equation, which is a different idea from just the expression.

So the best fit for a math problem that uses those operations is an expression.