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Basic Mathematics
Definitions / Rules
Equations: Equations are mathematical ‘sentences’ stating the equality between two
separate elements.
• “If an action is applied to one side of an equation it must be reflected (repeated)
on the opposite side (because if the sides started out equal they must remain
equal)”.
• When trying to simplify an equation, start with the smallest/innermost bracket and
work outwards.
Variables: Used in equations to represent an unknown value.
1 Addition, Subtraction, Division and Multiplication in Equations
a+b=c -> a+b-b=c-b -> a=c-b
ab = c -> ab/b = c/b -> a = c/b
2 Fractions
Fraction notation
__X__ (numerator over denominator) = X /Y
Y
So _A B = AB /C
C
Fraction Rules
X/1 = X X/0 = Error 0/X = 0
The value of a fraction will remain the same if both the numerator and the denominator
are divided or multiplied by the same value:
1 = 1x2 = 2 = _8_ = 4
2 2x2 4 16 8
Also, it is important to remember:
a/b = a/b x d/c or ad / bc
c/d
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3 Proportionality
a = _b_ then b is said to be directly proportional to “a”
c and c is said to be inversely proportional to “a”
4 Indices
ax (a is the base and x is the index)
a4 = a xa x a x a (also represented as a^4)
Indices Laws:
• xa x xb = x(a+b) e.g. 26 x 22 = 28
• xa ÷ xb = x(a-b) e.g. 26 ÷ 22 = 24
• (xa)b = x(axb) e.g. (26)2 = 212
• x0 = 1 (for any base value)
• x -a = 1 / xa e.g. 2-4 = 1 / 24
Reciprocals (the “inverse” of a number)
The reciprocal of “a” 1/a
The reciprocal of 2 is 1/2 = 0.5
Negative exponents imply an inversion e.g a-1 = 1/a and a-2 = 1 / a2
• xa/b implies a is the root and b is the power e.g. 21/2 = √2
Roots
If a2 = b (or a^2 = b) then √b = a
Note:
Mathematical equations should be solved in the following order:
• Brackets
• Other (e.g. indices)
• Multiplication / Division
• Addition / Subtraction
5 Standard Form
Numbers expressed in standard form display one digit to the left of the decimal point and
are multiplied to 10 to the power of another number e.g. 3 x 1018.
For a x 10y, we refer to a as the mantissa and 10y as the exponent.
6 Logarithms
Logarithms allow us to establish what power or exponent must a given number be raised
to in order to produce a desirable result e.g. log28 means log of 8 on the base 2 i.e. what
number must 2 be raised to the power of to produce the result 8 (answer = 3).
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The base number of a log can vary. In our studies we will always use logs on the base 10.
Logs on base 10 generally do not display the base e.g. log 100 = log of 100 on the base
10.
Logarithms allow us to describe a very large range of numbers with a smaller range of
values.
y = log x (a very large range of x values is covered by a very small range of y values)
Log rules:
if log b = a then b = 10^a log ab = b log a
e.g. 100 = 102 log100 = 2
log _a_ = loga - logb log ab = log a + log b
b
7 Graphs
Graphs are usually plotted on Cartesian planes. The Cartesian plane utilizes two axis
displaying related values. When drawing graphs always state the values/units of the axis.
8 Units
Standard
distance metre m
volume litre l
distance foot ft
time second s
temperature degrees centigrade ˚C
mass gram gm
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Other units
logarithmic ratio bel B
charge coulomb C
force dyne dyn
force newton N
electrical energy electron volt eV
capacitance farad F
flux density gauss G
flux density tesla T
inductance henry H
frequency hertz Hz
energy/work joule J
magnetic flux maxwell Mx
magnetic flux weber Wb
mag. field strength oersted Oe
pressure pascal Pa
pressure bar b
potential difference volt V
resistance/impedance ohm Ω
current strength ampere A
power watt W
computer memory bits/Bytes bits = b / Bytes = B
loudness phon/sone
Derivative units
These are created when standard units are combined in equations.
e.g. velocity/speed “metres per second” m/s or m.s-1
“kilometers per hour” km/h or km.h-1
Some derivative units have been designated as new units:
Power “joules per second” watt
Frequency “cycles per second” hertz
Multiples and Divisions of standard units:
Greek terms are used to describe the magnitude/size of a unit:
tera- T x 1012
giga- G x 109
mega- M x 106
kilo- k x 103
milli- m x 10-3
micro- µ x 10-6
nano- n x 10-9
pico- p x 10-12
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Imperial units:
1 foot = 12 inches
1’ = 12”
1 inch = 2.54 cm 1cm = 0.3937 inches
1 foot = .305 m 1m = 39.37 inches
1 mile = 1.609 km 1km = 0.622 miles
1 pound (lb) = 0.452 kg
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