arithmetic

American  

[uh-rith-muh-tik, ar-ith-met-ik] / əˈrɪθ mə tɪk, ˌær ɪθˈmɛt ɪk /

noun

• arithmetics
  plural

1. the method or process of computation with figures: the most elementary branch of mathematics.

2. Also called theoretical arithmetic, higher arithmetic. the theory of numbers; the study of the divisibility of whole numbers, the remainders after division, etc.

3. a book on this subject.

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adjective

1. Also arithmetical. of or relating to arithmetic.

arithmetic British  

/ əˈrɪθmətɪk /

noun

1. the branch of mathematics concerned with numerical calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

2. one or more calculations involving numerical operations

3. knowledge of or skill in using arithmetic

   his arithmetic is good

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or using arithmetic

arithmetic Scientific  

/ ə-rĭth′mĭ-tĭk /

1. The mathematics of integers, rational numbers, real numbers, or complex numbers under the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• arithmetician
  noun
• nonarithmetic
  adjective
• nonarithmetical
  adjective
• unarithmetical
  adjective
• arithmetically
  adverb
• nonarithmetically
  adverb
• unarithmetically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• arithmetics
  plural

Etymology

Origin of arithmetic

1200–50; < Latin arithmētica, feminine singular of arithmēticus < Greek arithmētikḗ ( téchnē ) (art, skill) of numbers, equivalent to arithmé ( ein ) to reckon + -t ( o )- verbal adjective + -ikḗ -ic; replacing Middle English arsmet ( r ) ike < Old French arismetique < Medieval Latin arismētica, with s for Late Greek th

Explanation

Arithmetic is another word for math, specifically the areas of math having to do with numbers and calculating. If you're good at adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying, then you're good at arithmetic, which is a big part of math. Arithmetic has to do with doing calculations. To answer most math problems, including almost all word problems, you need arithmetic. The most basic arithmetic is 2 plus 2, but as anyone who's ever taken algebra can tell you, it can get a lot more complicated than that.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

arithmetic arithmetics

While the gilt market took Burnham’s fiscal plans in its stride, investors will want to see the arithmetic in the October 28 autumn budget, Monex Europe analysts said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

But the arithmetic was suddenly visible anyway: one broken appliance repaired, one replacement avoided, however many dollars still in somebody’s pocket.

From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026

Both were usually euphemisms for the same thing: I was dieting, and I had already begun the day’s arithmetic.

From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026

You can do the arithmetic: about 20 curves per mile, speed limit 15 mph.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

I could almost hear them doing the mental arithmetic, calculating my age backward.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

The arithmetics of distance and time were not cheering either.

From Time Magazine Archive

SEE     BRUECKNER, LEO J.   The new triangle arithmetics.

From U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1963 January - June by Library of Congress. Copyright Office

The Armenians were found to be well supplied with spelling-books, reading-books, arithmetics, and grammars in the modern language, also with works on geometry and trigonometry.

From History Of The Missions Of The American Board Of Commissioners For Foreign Missions To The Oriental Churches, Volume I. by Rufus Anderson

Study arithmetics, book 7, and Mathematics and life, book 1; teacher's guidebook.

From U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1975 January - June by Library of Congress. Copyright Office

To meet the varying needs of teachers these arithmetics are now issued in two editions—a two-book series and a three-book series.

From A History of the Philippines by David P. Barrows

Related Words

• calculation
• computation