BASIC NUMERACY

CHAPTER ONE: NUMBERS AND VARIABLES

1.1. NUMBERS
Question and Answer Notes for Numbers (Section 1.1)
Q1: What is a number?
A1: A number is an abstract entity or idea used to describe and measure
quantities. It can be represented in various ways, such as symbols (e.g., "4"),
words (e.g., "four"), or expressions (e.g., "3+1").
Q2: What are natural numbers?
A2: Natural numbers are the most fundamental system of numbers used for
counting. They start from 1 and continue indefinitely. The set of natural numbers
is written as:
{1,2,3,4,5,… }{1,2,3,4,5,…}
 Key Points:
o Used for counting (e.g., "There are 2 books on the table").

o Used for ordering (e.g., "This is the 4th largest apple").

o Also called positive integers.

Q3: What is the difference between natural numbers and counting

numbers?
A3:
 Natural numbers start from 1: {1,2,3,4,5,… }{1,2,3,4,5,…}.
 Counting numbers include 0: {0,1,2,3,4,5,… }{0,1,2,3,4,5,…}.
 Counting numbers are also called non-negative integers.

Q4: Why was the number 0 introduced?

A4: The number 0 was introduced to represent the absence of things, such as
when a team fails to score or when there is no quantity to measure. It extends
the set of natural numbers to counting numbers.

Q5: What are negative numbers?

A5: Negative numbers are used to represent values less than 0. They are written
with a minus sign (e.g., −3−3). The set of negative integers is:
{…,−5,−4,−3,−2,−1}{…,−5,−4,−3,−2,−1}
 Key Points:
 o Used when positive numbers alone are insufficient (e.g., subtracting
a larger number from a smaller one).
o It’s important to distinguish between the sign of an
operation (addition/subtraction) and the sign of a
number (positive/negative).

Q6: What is the difference between the sign of an operation and the
sign of a number?
A6:
 Sign of an operation: Refers to addition (+) or subtraction (−).
 Sign of a number: Refers to whether a number is positive (e.g., +3) or
negative (e.g., −3).
 Example: In the expression 5+(−3)5+(−3), the "+" is the operation sign,
and the "-" is the sign of the number −3−3.

Q7: What is a set?

A7: A set is a collection or grouping of similar things (elements). Sets are written
using curly brackets {}{}. For example:
 The set of natural numbers: {1,2,3,4,5,… }{1,2,3,4,5,…}.
 The set of counting numbers: {0,1,2,3,4,5,… }{0,1,2,3,4,5,…}.

Q8: What do the three dots (……) in a set mean?

A8: The three dots (……) indicate that the set continues indefinitely in the same
pattern. For example:
 {1,2,3,… }{1,2,3,…} means the natural numbers continue infinitely.

Q9: What are integers?

A9: Integers include all whole numbers, both positive and negative, as well as 0.
They can be divided into:
 Positive integers (natural numbers): {1,2,3,… }{1,2,3,…}.
 Negative integers: {…,−3,−2,−1}{…,−3,−2,−1}.
 Zero: 0.

Q10: How are numbers used in real-life situations?

A10: Numbers are used for:
 Counting: E.g., "There are 5 apples."
 Ordering: E.g., "This is the 3rd house on the street."
  Measuring: E.g., "The temperature is −2∘C−2∘C."
 Representing absence: E.g., "0 goals scored."

1.2 ROUNDING OFF

Q&A Notes: Rounding Numbers
Designed to clarify concepts, reinforce rules, and highlight common
pitfalls.

1. What is rounding?
A: Rounding simplifies numbers by reducing digits while keeping the value close.
It trades precision for ease of use.
 Example: 4.36923 → 4.37 (easier to handle, less precise).
 Analogy: Saying "about 15 minutes" instead of "14 minutes and 49
seconds."

2. What are the key rules for rounding?

A: Follow these steps:
1. Identify the last digit to keep (e.g., the third decimal for 4.36923).
2. Check the next digit:
o ≥5: Add 1 to the last digit.

o <5: Leave the last digit unchanged.

3. Discard all digits beyond the last kept digit.

Example:
 Round 4.36923 to two decimals:
o Last digit: 6 (second decimal).

o Next digit: 9 (≥5) → Add 1 to 6 → 7.

o Result: 4.37.

3. How do you handle trailing 9s?

A: Adding 1 to a 9 creates a "carryover."
 Example: 0.9995 rounded to three decimals:
o Last digit: 9 (third decimal).

o Next digit: 5 → Add 1 → 0.999 becomes 1.000.

4. When should you not round?
A: Avoid rounding:
 Mid-calculation: Causes error accumulation (e.g., 16.25% → 16% might
drastically change loan interest).
 Unless specified: Only round the final answer.
 Money: Always round to two decimals (e.g., R27.5394 → R27.54).
Common Mistake: Rounding 16.25% to 16% could lead to significant financial
discrepancies.

5. Practice Problems & Solutions

Exercise 1.2 Solutions
1. Three decimal digits:
o (a) 4.57849 → 4.578 (next digit 4 < 5).

o (b) 0.39887 → 0.399 (next digit 8 ≥ 5).

o (c) 10.0004 → 10.000 (next digit 4 < 5).

2. Two decimal digits:

o (a) 7.9747 → 7.97 (next digit 4 < 5).

o (b) 10.495 → 10.50 (next digit 5 → carryover from 9 to 10).

o (c) 8.998 → 9.00 (next digit 8 → carryover from 9 to 10).

3. Integers:
o (a) 12.034 → 12 (next digit 0 < 5).

o (b) 9.8746 → 10 (next digit 8 ≥ 5).

o (c) 0.0342 → 0 (next digit 0 < 5).

6. Why is rounding mid-problem dangerous?

A: Early rounding introduces compounded errors.
 Example: Calculating 4.369 × 2:
o Correct: 4.369 × 2 = 8.738 → 8.74 (rounded).

o Incorrect: Round 4.369 → 4.37 first → 4.37 × 2 = 8.74 (same here,

but errors can be larger in multi-step problems).

7. How to avoid common mistakes?

  Double-check the digit position: Rounding to two decimals? Only check
the third decimal.
 Use exact values in calculations: Save rounding for the final step.
 Money: Never round to integers (e.g., R27.5394 → R27.54, not R28).

1.2. VARIABLES
Question & Answer Notes: Variables (Section 1.3)
Key Concepts Covered:
 Definition of variables
 Algebraic expressions vs. equations
 Representing multiplication with variables
 Real-world applications

1. What is a variable?
Answer:
 A variable is a symbol (like x,y,ax,y,a) used as a placeholder for an
unknown number.
 It allows us to write general expressions/equations that work for any value.
 Example: In x+7x+7, xx is a variable representing an unknown value.
Memory Tip: Think of variables as "empty boxes" that can hold any number.

2. Why are variables useful?

Answer:
 They let us write general rules (e.g., formulas) that apply to many
situations.
 Example: The area of a rectangle is ℓ×wℓ×w. If ℓ=4ℓ=4m and w=3w=3m,
substitute to get 4×3=12 m24×3=12m2.
Real-World Analogy: Variables are like recipes—you can plug in different
ingredients (values) to get different dishes (results).

3. What is the difference between an expression and an equation?

Answer:
 Expression: A combination of numbers, variables, and operations
(e.g., 3x−63x−6).
  Equation: A statement that two expressions are equal
(e.g., x+y=zx+y=z).
Example:
 Expression: 0.2q0.2q (total flour for qq biscuit packets).
 Equation: x+7=10x+7=10 (solving for xx gives x=3x=3).

4. How can multiplication between a number and a variable be written?

Answer: Four ways:
1. With a multiplication sign: 4×a4×a

2. With a dot: 4⋅a4⋅a

3. With brackets: 4(a)4(a)
4. Written straight: 4a4a (most common)
Note: 4a4a means "4 times aa"—never write 4×a4×a as 4a4a in formal math!

5. Translate these sentences into algebraic expressions:

(a) Subtract 5 from a number pp.
Answer: p−5p−5
(b) Triple the value of xx and add 2.
Answer: 3x+23x+2
(c) The product of mm and nn equals 10.
Answer: mn=10mn=10

6. Practical Example: Biscuit Manufacturer

Problem: A factory uses 0.2 kg flour, 0.05 kg sugar, and 0.1 kg butter per
biscuit packet. Let q=q= number of packets.
(a) Write expressions for total ingredients used.
Answer:
 Flour: 0.2q kg0.2qkg
 Sugar: 0.05q kg0.05qkg
 Butter: 0.1q kg0.1qkg
(b) Calculate total flour used if q=100q=100.
Answer: Substitute q=100q=100: 0.2×100=20 kg0.2×100=20kg.
Why This Matters: Variables simplify scaling calculations (e.g., for 1 packet or
1,000 packets).
7. Best Practices for Choosing Variables
 Use lowercase letters (e.g., x,y,qx,y,q) or acronyms (e.g., PV = present
value).
 Pick meaningful symbols (e.g., tt for time, vv for velocity).
 Avoid confusing symbols like ll (can look like 1) or OO (can look like 0).