Maths Notes
Maths Notes
Improper fractions
Improper fractions are fractions of which the numerator is bigger than the denominator.
Changing mixed numbers into improper fractions
5
5 7 = 35 + 3 = 38
+
=
To change a mixed number into an improper fraction we first need to multiply the whole
number with the denominator. In this example the 5 is multiplied by the 7 to give an answer
of 35. After this the answer of 35 is added to the numerator which is 3 to give an answer of
38.
Changing improper fractions into mixed numbers
15 7 = 2 remainder 1
= 2
To change an improper fraction into a mixed number you need to divide the denominator (in
this example the 7) into the numerator (in this example the 15). The remainder will be written
as a fraction on the same denominator (in this example the remainder of 1 will be written on
top of the 7).
Adding fractions
If we want to add fractions we need to determine if the denominators are the same. If the
denominators are the same we add the numerators together. It is very important to note that
we do not add the denominators together.
5 2 7
9 9 9
+ =
If the denominators are not the same we need to find the smallest common denominator.
1 2
3 5
1 5 2 3
= 3 5 5 3
5 6
= 15 15
11 Smallest common denominator
= 15
When we are adding mixed numbers, we need to change the mixed number to an improper
fraction first before we can add the fractions. After the fractions have been added the
improper fraction needs to be changed back to a mixed number. Although the calculations
done at this stage is easy enough not to change mixed numbers into improper fractions, the
calculations become more difficult as learners progress with maths. It is thus important that
they learn to change mixed numbers into improper fractions from the beginning.
2
+ 3
= (
) + (
= 6
In the above example we first converted the mixed numbers to improper fractions. (2 3 + 1
= 7 and 3 4 + 3 = 15). After this we calculated the smallest common denominator which is
12. Now we need to add the fractions together to form an improper fraction. Lastly we
convert the improper fraction back to a mixed number by dividing the denominator into the
numerator.
+
+
+
Subtracting fractions
As with adding fractions we need to determine if the denominators are the same when we are
subtracting. If the denominators are the same we can subtract the numerators from each other.
Again it is important to note that we do not subtract the denominators from each other.
5 2 3
9 9 9
If the denominators are not the same we need to find the smallest common denominator.
4 2
5 3
4 3 2 5
= 5 3 3 5
12 10
= 15 15
2 Smallest common denominator
= 15
When we are subtracting mixed numbers, we need to change the mixed number to an
improper fraction first before we can subtract the fractions. After the fractions have been
subtracted the improper fraction needs to be changed back to a mixed number. Although the
calculations done at this stage is easy enough not to change mixed numbers into improper
fractions, the calculations become more difficult as learners progress with maths. It is thus
important that they learn to change mixed numbers into improper fractions from the
beginning.
2
- 1
= (
) - (
= 1
- =
-
-
-
In the above example we first converted the mixed numbers to improper fractions. (2 4 + 3
= 11 and 1 3 + 1 = 4). After this we calculated the smallest common denominator which is
12. Now we need to subtract the fractions to form an improper fraction. Lastly we convert the
improper fraction back to a mixed number by dividing the denominator into the numerator.
A fraction OF a number
=
OF 120 grams
=
= 48
Whenever we need to determine what a fraction of a given number is, we need to put the
given number, in this case 120 on 1 to make it an improper fraction. The OF changes to a
multiplication sign. After this you need to first multiply the numerators with each other and
then you need to multiply the denominators with each other. Lastly you need to change the
improper fraction to a mixed number or whole number.
= (
OF 120 grams) + (
OF 90 grams)
= (
) + (
)
= (
) + (
)
= 48 + 30
= 78
When we need to add or subtract two different OF sums at the same time, we start of by
applying brackets around both sums in order to be able differentiate between the two sums.
These two sums must be done next to each other consecutively and only once the improper
fraction is changed into a mixed number or a whole number do we add or subtract the
answers to get a final answer.
Video clips about fractions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e_JGthEE-Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOXHExiDKXQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQeaBNcX3EY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvyMUkxDbcE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxaoVTSZ8D8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j2NIfA_NLw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uSwvwJ2hgw&feature=fvwrel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxpbMg_WASs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JyPzTeA_8w
1. Order of operations
Learners need to realise that if they dont follow the rules of order of operations they
will get to very different and wrong answers. They need to stick to the rules of order
of operations.
They need to follow the BODMAS rule.
B brackets ( )
O Of
D division
M multiplication
A addition +
S subtraction
Division and multiplication are actually on the same level and could be done together
from left to right.
Addition and subtraction are on the same level and could be done together from left to
right.
From left to right (Wrong) BODMAS(Correct)
25 - 5 3 + 18 25 - 5 3 + 18
= 20 3 + 18 = 25 15 + 18
= 60 + 18 = 10 + 18
= 78 = 28
Order of operation video clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOs_NjLtIHc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClYdw4d4OmA&feature=related
Word sums
It is very important for the learners to read the questions carefully. In every word sum all the
information is given to the learners.
First they need to be able to identify and highlight the relevant and important
information.
They then need to start the answer by writing a number sentence.
After the number sentence they need to do all the required calculations separately.
Once they calculated the correct answer they need to formulate the answer into a
sentence.
In a vegetable garden there are 15 rows each with 14 potato plants. Nine potatoes are lifted from
each plant. How many pockets can be filled with 31 potatoes each and how many are left.
a = (15 14 9) 31
15 210
14 9
60 1 890
+ 150
210
6 0 r 30
31 1 8 9 0
1 8 6
3 0
Number of pockets = 60
Number of potatoes left = 30
Space and Shape
Properties of 3-D shapes
Learners need to study the content of this section and must be able to:
Identify 3-D objects according to their surfaces.
Distinguish between 3-D objects which are prisms and which are not.
Investigate the nets of cubes and rectangular prisms.
Compare cubes and rectangular prisms.
Patterns, Functions and Algebra
Geometric patterns
Learners need to study the content of this section and must be able to:
Investigate diagram patterns in which shapes increase or decrease in some way.
Extend given diagram patterns.
Describe given diagram patterns in their own words or record as a number pattern in a
table.