Mathematics Lecture Notes
1. Basic Arithmetic Functions
Definition: Arithmetic functions involve the basic operations of addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division.
Key Concepts:
• Addition (+): Combining two or more numbers to get a total.
- Example: 5 + 3 = 8
• Subtraction (-): Finding the difference between two numbers.
- Example: 9 - 4 = 5
• Multiplication (*): Repeated addition of a number.
- Example: 6 * 3 = 18
• Division (/): Splitting a number into equal parts.
- Example: 20 / 5 = 4
Solved Examples:
1. 15 + 9 - 3 = 21
2. (8 * 5) / 4 = 10
Exercise:
1. 17 + 6 = ?
2. 25 - 8 = ?
3. 7 * 4 = ?
4. 36 / 6 = ?
5. (12 + 8) * 2 = ?
2. Simple Algebraic Equations
Definition: An algebraic equation is a mathematical statement that uses variables, numbers,
and operations.
Key Concepts:
• Solving for x: Isolate the variable.
- Example: x + 4 = 9 → x = 9 - 4 = 5
• Balancing both sides: What you do to one side, do to the other.
Solved Examples:
1. x - 3 = 10 → x = 10 + 3 = 13
2. 2x = 12 → x = 12 / 2 = 6
3. x/5 = 4 → x = 4 * 5 = 20
Exercise:
1. x + 7 = 15
2. x - 2 = 11
3. 3x = 18
4. x/4 = 6
5. x + 3 = 2x - 5
3. Evaluation of Numerical Expressions
Definition: It involves simplifying a mathematical expression by performing the operations
in the correct order.
Order of Operations (BODMAS):
• B - Brackets
• O - Orders (powers and roots)
• D - Division
• M - Multiplication
• A - Addition
• S - Subtraction
Solved Examples:
1. 2 + 3 * 4 = 2 + 12 = 14
2. (6 + 2) * 5 = 8 * 5 = 40
3. 18 / (3 + 3) = 18 / 6 = 3
Exercise:
1. 5 + 4 * 2 = ?
2. (7 + 1) / 2 = ?
3. 6 * (3 + 2) = ?
4. 20 - 3 * 4 = ?
5. (10 - 4) + 2 = ?
4. Positive and Negative Indices and Square Roots
Indices (Exponents):
• Positive index: x^n means multiply x by itself n times.
- Example: 2^3 = 2 * 2 * 2 = 8
• Negative index: x^-n = 1 / x^n
- Example: 2^-2 = 1 / (2^2) = 1/4
Square Root (√): A number which, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number.
- Example: √25 = 5
Laws of Indices:
1. x^a * x^b = x^(a + b)
2. x^a / x^b = x^(a - b)
3. (x^a)^b = x^(a * b)
Solved Examples:
1. 3^2 = 9
2. 4^-1 = 1/4
3. √36 = 6
4. 2^3 * 2^2 = 2^(3+2) = 2^5 = 32
Exercise:
1. 5^2 = ?
2. √49 = ?
3. 2^-3 = ?
4. 10^3 / 10^2 = ?
5. (3^2)^2 = ?