The two numbers being multiplied are called factors, and the result is called the product. Multiplication is typically represented by an, although sometimes a Thus, instead of performing five additions of six, we simply multiply six by five to get a total of 30. Imagine the parts in each of the five boxes laid out in rows, as shown below (we use a square to represent a part).Įach row above represents a box in each row is six parts. We can find the sum simply by performing the addition several times over. To find out how many parts he has, the worker must add the number six to itself five times. Each box contains six parts, and there are a total of five boxes. For instance, a worker at a factory may wish to count the number of parts delivered in several boxes. Let's say we want to add a particular number, such as six, to itself many times. Thus, you take four apples out of the nine that you have, leaving five. The use of the minus sign is no coincidence-in fact, subtraction is nothing more than addition involving a negative number! Imagine you have in your possession nine apples (positive nine), but you owe a friend four apples (negative four). Negative numbers are typically expressed using a minus sign (–) thus, negative 10 can be written as -10. If we think of positive numbers as quantities of something that we possess (say, for instance, that we have 10 oranges), then a negative number would be a quantity of something that we owe (if we owed someone 10 oranges, then we might say that we have negative 10 oranges). Also, we may encounter negative numbers, which are quantities that are less than zero. That is to say, 9 – 5 and 5 – 9 are not the same-in fact, they yield quite different results! (The symbol ? below simply means "does not equal.")Īddition (and any other of the basic operations) can involve the counting numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on), the number zero (0), and any number in between (fractional values such as a half, for instance). Unlike addition, subtraction is not commutative. Here, 9 and 5 are the terms of the operation, and 4 is the difference. Using just the numbers, where the minus sign (–) represents the subtraction operation, Thus, if we have nine squares and take away (subtract) five, we are left with four squares. Instead of adding two quantities (numbers), we are removing one quantity from another. Interested in learning more? Why not take an online Pre-Algebra course? In mathematical parlance, addition is commutative we can add two summands in any order and always get the same result. Whether we add four squares to five squares or vice versa, the result is always nine squares. Thus, instead of talking about a certain number of squares, apples, people, inches, or dollars) for instance, we can simply deal with the numbers.įurthermore, note that the order in which we add the squares makes no difference. Of course, drawing pictures every time we wanted to represent an addition would be highly annoying (and in some cases impossible). On the right side is the sum, which is the result of the addition of the summands. The equal sign (=) indicates that what is on its left and what is on its right are equivalent (or equal). In this case, the summands are four squares and five squares. BASIC MATH CALCULATOR PLUSNote that the plus sign (+) indicates the operation performed on the two terms. The above diagram is an illustration of the process of addition. (Or, if you prefer, substitute anything you like for "squares"-dogs, bananas, people, rocks, or anything else.) Thus, if we add one set of four squares to another set of five squares, we get a total of nine squares. Addition is simply the combination of distinct sets of like entities (and we must stress the word like). (But if you need the calculator to accurately make your flash cards, by all means, use one!) We assume you have an understanding of basic arithmetic, but if you are at all lacking in this area, you should be able to bring yourself up to speed with a little time and practice.Īddition and subtraction are two complementary operations-we can actually define subtraction in terms of addition. In this way, you can practice your math skills without simply relying on a calculator. Even cutting up a sheet of paper into sections is sufficient just write the numbers and an operation on one side (such as 3 8) and the answer (24, for our example) on the other. If you have difficulty performing the basic operations for simple numbers, one way to improve is through the use of flash cards.
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