BA 1003

BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
LECTURE 1
MATHEMATICAL TECHNIQUES

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WHOLE NUMBERS
• Numbers such as 3, 5, 9 are referred to as whole numbers or
integers.
• Such numbers can be positive (+3) or negative (−3).

Mathematical operations:
Calculations with numbers.
Four basic operation: - Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division

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Place – Value System
A number system that determines the value of a digit by its
position in a number.

Example:
Place value of the digit 2 in 235,649 is hundred thousand.

Period
A group of three place value.

!!! Read the number 381, 345, 287, 369, 021

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Example: Read the number 381, 345, 287, 369, 021

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Exercise:
Write the number, given its word name.
1) Fifteen million, three hundred sixty-two thousand, five
hundred thirty-eight
Answer:_______________________

2) Five hundred forty-two billion, five hundred thousand,

twenty-nine
Answer:_______________________

3) Nine hundred thirty-two thousand, eight hundred six

Answer:_______________________

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Example: Round 2,748 to the nearest hundred.

• Step 1: Find the digit in the specified place value. (2,748)

• Step 2: Look at the next digit to the right. (2,748)

o If this digit < 5, replace it and all digits to its right with
zeros. (2,700)
o If this digit > 5, add 1 to the digit in the specific place,
and replace all digits to its right with zeros.

Answer: ___________

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Exercise:
Round the whole numbers to the indicated place value.
1) 1,327 to the nearest ten
Answer:_______________________

2) 52,647 to the nearest hundred

Answer:_______________________

3) 16,982 to the nearest thousand

Answer:_______________________

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DECIMALS
• Decimals are simply found by dividing the top (numerator)
of the fraction by the bottom (denominator) of the fraction.

Example: Read 523,156.27432

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RATIO AND PROPORTIONS

Ratio
• A ratio is a comparison of two numbers. Generally separate
two numbers in the ratio with a colon (:).

Example:
8
8:12 or as fraction
12

Answer: Eight to twelve

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Proportion
• A proportion is a statement / equality that two ratios are
equal.

Example:
20:25 = 4:5

Answer: Twenty is to twenty-five as four is to five

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POWERS AND ROOTS
Powers
• In the expressions 𝑥 4 and 𝑥 2 , the letter 𝑥 is called the base and
the numbers 4 and 2 are called the powers.
• Rules for powers:
o Multiplying powers
𝑥 𝑎 × 𝑥 𝑏 = 𝑥 𝑎+𝑏
o Dividing powers
𝑥 𝑎 ÷ 𝑥 𝑏 = 𝑥 𝑎−𝑏
o The power zero
𝑥 0 =1
o Negative powers
1
𝑥 −𝑎 = 𝑎
𝑥
o Fractional powers
𝑚 𝑛
𝑥𝑛 = 𝑥𝑚 = 𝑛
𝑥 𝑚

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Roots
• A root is the mathematical word for a solution of a quadratic
equation.

Root of a number
• The root of a number is generally taken to be the square
root. So, root of 9 will be +3 or −3.

Example:

1) The square root of 25 = ___________

2) The cube (3rd) root of 64 = ___________

3) The 4th root of 81 = __________

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LOGARITHMS
• In general, 𝑁 = 𝑎 𝑥 ⇔ log 𝑎 𝑁 = 𝑥 , where 𝑎 > 0 and 𝑎 ≠ 1.
• For example, if 8 = 23 , then log 2 8 = 3. The index 3
becomes the logarithm and 2 remains as the base.
• Logarithm is another name for index or power.
• Laws of logarithms:
o log 𝑎 𝑥𝑦 = log 𝑎 𝑥 + log 𝑎 𝑦
𝑥
o log 𝑎 = log 𝑎 𝑥 − log 𝑎 𝑦
𝑦

o log 𝑎 𝑥 𝑞 = 𝑞 log 𝑎 𝑥
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