Introduction to Mathematics

Introduction to
MATHS
Mathematics
 Introduction to
mathematics
Mathematics is a very complicated subject especially at senior level. But to
tell you the truth the only thing that makes mathematics complicated is
you. Why? Because what you miss out on is the most important thing, the
fundamentals.
If you will understand fractions, decimals and basic manipulations, you will
never fail to understand any other math topic. Why? Because those topics I
have mentioned above are the foundation of mathematics, if you miss one
then you’ve missed everything in math.

Basic manipulations
The most important things
1. +×+=+ i.e. +2 × +4 = +8
2. - ×-=+ I.e. -1 × -4 = +4
3. - ×+=- i.e. -2 × +3 = -6
4. + ×-=- i.e. +2 × -2 = -4

Example
1. Evaluate
a) 3 × -2
b) -4 × -4
c) 4 × 2
d) -12 × 2

Solutions
1.
a) +3 × -2 = -6
b) -4 × -4 = +16
 c) +4 × +2 = +8
d) -12 × +2 = -24
Note: When your answer is positive such as +3 you only write the number
without a sign so 3 only.

Addition and subtraction of numbers

1. If you have two numbers with different signs, you subtract them and
maintain the sign of the bigger number.
Example
a) 3–2
b) -4 + 2
c) 5–8
d) -12 + 15

Solutions
a) +3 – 2 = +1
b) -4 + 2 = -2
c) 5 – 8 = -3
d) -12 + 15 = +3
Note: When your answer is positive such as +3 you only write the number
without a sign so 3 only.

2. If you have two numbers with the same sign, you add the numbers
then you get the sign from any number.
Example
1) 2+2
2) -4 – 8
3) 4+5
4) 3 + 12
5) -4 – 3
6) -12 -12

Solutions
 1) +2 + 2 = +4
2) -4 – 8 = -12
3) +4 + 5 = +9
4) +3 + 12 = +15
5) -4 – 3 = -7
6) -12 – 12 = -24

Fractions
Basic structure of a fraction
𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫
𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫
Addition and subtraction of fractions
To add or subtract fractions the best steps I can give you are these
1. Multiply the denominators
2. Multiply the alternate denominator with the alternate numerator
3. Add or subtract the numerators

Example
1. Add
3 2
a) +
2 4
4 1
b) +
5 6
3 2
c) +
4 3
2. Subtract
1 1
a) -
2 4
1 1
b) –
4 5
3 2
c) -
4 3

Solutions
1.
3 2
a) 2 +
4
Multiply the denominators

8
Multiply the alternate denominator with the alternate numerator
3 ×4+2 ×2
8
12+4
8
16
8
2

4 1
b) 5 + 6

30
 4 ×6+1 ×5
30
24+5
30
29
30

3 2
c) 4 + 3

12
3 ×3+2 ×4
12
9+8
12
17
12
5
1 12

2.
1 1
a) 2 - 4

8
1 ×4−1 ×2
8
4−2
8
2
8
1
4

1 1
b) 4 – 5

20
 1 ×5−1 ×4
20
5−4
20
1
20

3 2
c) 4 - 3

12
3 ×3−2 ×4
12
9−8
12
1
12

Multiplication of fractions
Multiplication of fractions is the simplest, just multiply the numerators and
the denominators.

Example
Multiply
3 1
a) ×3
4
2 1
b) ×2
3
Solution
3 1
a) ×3
4
3
12
1
4
 2 1
b) ×2
3
2
6
1
3

Division of fractions
To divide fractions
1. We interchange the numerator and denominator of the second
fraction
2. Substitute the division sign with the multiplication sign
3. Multiply the fractions

Example
Evaluate
3 1
a) ÷
4 3
2 1
b) ÷
3 2
1 2
c) ÷3
4

Solutions
3 1
a) ÷
4 3
3 3
×1
4
9
4
1
24
 2 1
b) ÷
3 2
2 2
×1
3
4
3
1
13

1 2
c) ÷3
4
1 3
×2
4
3
8

Decimals
Addition and subtraction of decimals
The only important thing here is to align the decimal points

Example
Evaluate
1.
a) 2.345 + 22.01
b) 3.124 + 11.3
c) 22.312 + 0.11
2.
a) 20.23 – 1.1
b) 12.001 – 3.2221
c) 4.011 – 2.11

Solutions
1.
 a) 02.345
+ 22.010
24.355
b) 03.124
+11.300
14.424
c) 22.312
+00.100
22.422
2.
a) 20.23
-01.10
19.13
b) 12.0010
-03.2221
8.7789
c) 4.011
-2.110
1.901

BODMAS
This is another critical foundation of math that people oversee.
Meaning: Brackets Of Division Multiplication Addition and Subtraction.
When solving something with more than 2 expressions, you start with
opening the brackets, then dividing, then multiplying. Addition and
subtraction can be used interchangeably.
 Example
1. Solve
a) 2 + 3 – 1 × 3 + 2
b) 7 ÷ (6 +1) – 3 × 2
Solutions
1.
a) 2 + 3 – 3 + 2
5–3+2
2+2
4
b) 7 ÷ (7) – 3 × 2
1–3×2
1–6
-5

BRAIN TESTER
1. Evaluate
a) 2 – 4
b) -4 + 4
c) -3 – 5
d) 12 – 3
e) -1 – 3
f) 4 + 3
g) 23 – 25
2. Solve
1 1
a) +
3 4
 2 1
b) −
3 4
8 3
c) −
9 5
5 3
d) +
6 2
1 2
e) − −
4 5
4 3
f) − +
5 4
3. Find the exact value of
a) 2.002 -1.223
b) 4.32 + 1.11
c) 3.43 + 1.223
d) 12.11 – 12.13
BRAINSTORM
 ANSWERS
3–9+3
3–6
-3