Basic Arithmetic Operations

Learning Outcome
When you complete this module you will be able to:
Perform basic arithmetic operations without the use of a calculator.

Learning Objectives
Here is what you will be able to do when you complete each objective:
1. Add and subtract integers.

2. Multiply and divide whole and decimal numbers.

3. Evaluate equations involving combinations of addition, subtraction,

multiplication and division, and powers in the proper sequence.

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 INTRODUCTION

While much of this material may be very elementary to some students, a review
may refresh the memory and sharpen the skills of those students who finished
their schooling many years ago. If you think your mathematical skills are sharp,
then skip to the self-tests at the end of this module and try them. If you have
trouble with some questions, then find the corresponding part of the module and
study it carefully.

Because many people now rely on calculators for doing even the most basic
arithmetic operations, they have forgotten many of the skills they learned in
school. However, in order to manipulate algebraic expressions and solve
equations, the student must understand how to do the basic arithmetic operations
without a calculator. Therefore, in studying this module, students are urged to set
their calculator aside and to do the calculations by hand unless specific
instructions to the contrary are given.

BASIC NUMBERS

When working with numbers, the main objectives are speed and accuracy. Most
people now rely on the electronic calculator to accomplish both objectives.
However, unless a person understands how to manually perform basic
mathematical operations, the accuracy of answers given by the calculator cannot
be assessed.

Some basic terms require definition at the outset.

Natural numbers are the numbers used for counting. They are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6... The symbol “...” means “and so on”. That is, the numbers continue on
indefinitely according to the pattern of adding 1 to each number to obtain
the next number.

Whole numbers are the natural numbers and zero. They are 0, 1, 2, 3....

Prime numbers are whole numbers other than 0 and 1 that are exactly
divisible only by themselves and 1. Examples of prime numbers are 2, 3,
5, 7, and 11.

Signed numbers are numbers which have either a positive or a negative sign
in front. Numbers preceded by a positive sign are called positive numbers;
numbers that are preceded by a negative sign are called negative numbers.
Zero is neither positive nor negative.

Integers are the positive and negative whole numbers and zero. They are:
...-4, -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4....
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A number of signs and symbols are used throughout this module. To summarize
them:

Sign Meaning

+ addition or positive number

- subtraction or negative number
x multiplication
÷ division
< less than, as -3 < -1
> greater than, as +4 > -5
= equal to, as 7 x 6 = 42
(), {}, [] brackets (brackets side-by-side can also serve to indicate
multiplication, as (3)(4) = 12)

THE NUMBER SYSTEM

All Numbers Have Names

Numbers are symbols. They answer the question: how many? They may be
applied to any kind of object without discrimination. One may say: “I count six”,
or “There are one hundred”. The engineer usually applies them to one object,
speaking of a turbine rating of 100 MW (megawatts), or calculating the heat units
in a certain quantity of water as equal to 1000 J (one thousand joules).

In elementary manipulation of numbers, the term “digit” may be used to designate

fingers and a number less then ten. Digits are grouped into word names of
numbers. Hyphens are used to find word names for numbers such as 29, 52, 75:

29 is written twenty-nine
75 is written seventy-five

The Decimal System

A number system has a rigid structure. Power engineers use the decimal structure
or system for much of their work. It is a number system scaled in units of ten. It
is known as decimal notation because it is based on the Latin word for ten: decem.
Ordinary whole numbers are decimal numbers (decimals, for short).

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 For example, the number 4542 is made up of 4000 + 500 + 40 + 2, or four places
of digits.

The value of any place is ten times that to its right.

4542 = 4 x 1000 + 5 x 100 + 4 x 10 + 2 x 1

= 4 x 10 x 10 x 10 + 5 x 10 x 10 + 4 x 10 + 2 x 1

It is good engineering practice to use a type of shorthand called exponential

notation for 10 x 10 x 10 and similar expressions.

For 10 x 10 x 10 write 103 (read “ten cubed “or “ten to the third power”)

For 10 x 10 write 102 ( read “ten squared” or “ten to the second power”)

101 is equal to 10 and the 1 is rarely shown.

100 is equal to 1 (Any number to the power 0 equals 1, which is sometimes

called “unity”)

Thus 35 means 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3, 304 means 30 x 30 x 30 x 30

If Y stands for any number, Y4 means Y x Y x Y x Y

If Y stands for 2, then Y8 is equal to 256.

The Line Concept of Numbers

Numbers may be represented as points on a line:

Zero is a number with no value. All numbers to the left may be thought of as
negative numbers: -1, -2, -3, -4, -5, etc. All number to the right of the zero are
then positive numbers, usually written without the positive sign (+) but the
positive sign is always understood to exist.

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The Place Value of Numbers

A chart is a convenient method of recognizing place values of numbers, whether

positive or negative, and their names.

Table 1
Place Values

The example shown below Table 1 is written: 21 505 920 065 and is read:
Twenty-one billion, five hundred five million, nine hundred twenty thousand,
sixty-five.

716 543 212 is read: Seven hundred sixteen million, five hundred forty-three
thousand, two hundred twelve.

WHOLE NUMBERS

Addition of Whole Numbers

Addition is basically a system of counting. The sum 3 + 4 is determined by

counting first a set of 3 objects, then another set of 4 objects, joining the two sets,
and counting all the objects. In the statement 3 + 4 = 7, 3 is called an addend, 4 is
an addend, and 7 is their sum. To add large numbers, place the ones under ones in
one column, and tens, hundreds, and so on are forced to fall in their proper
columns.

Example 1:

(a) Add 17 + 5 + 123

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 Solution:

17 The ones are added first: 7 + 5 + 3 = 15, write

5 5, carry 1 to the tens
123 The tens are added: 1 + 0 + 2 = 3 and 1 from
145 (Ans.) the ones column; write 4
The hundreds column: 1 + 0 = 1, write 1

(b) 84
92
127
303 (Ans.)

(c) 123
1 526
17 825
19 474 Ans.

It is considered desirable to separate larger numbers into groups of three, with a

space between groups. A space is not necessary with four digit numbers except
when they are in a column and must be aligned with larger numbers.

Subtraction of Whole Numbers

Subtraction undoes addition. We subtract to get the difference between two

numbers, the difference between two sets of numbers. The minus sign (-) is
placed between two numbers to indicate that the second number must be
subtracted from the first.

Larger numbers are arranged as in addition. Ones are subtracted first, then tens,
then thousands, and so on.

6778 is the same as: 6000 + 700 + 70 + 8

-2314 -(2000 + 300 + 10 + 4)
4464 4000 + 400 + 60 + 4

Also,
37 is the same as: 20 + 17
-18 -(10 + 8)
19 10 + 9

Example 2:

(a) Subtract 18 from 37

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Solution:

37 Borrow from the tens column, read 17 - 8, write 9

-18 Subtract 1 from the 3 to make up for the 1
19 borrowed from the tens column. Read 2 - 1,
write 1

(b) 1654
- 965
689

(c) 87 051
-32 499
54 552

Multiplication of Whole Numbers

In multiplication, two numbers, called factors, are counted to get a third number,
called a product. The number which is multiplied is called the multiplicand. The
number by which it is multiplied is called the multiplier. The resulting number is
called the product. Thus 3 x 5 is found by counting 3 sets of 5 objects each,
joining them, and counting them all:

3 x 5 = 5 + 5 + 5 = 15

When a number must be added to itself several times, the process may be
shortened considerably by multiplication. Multiplication tables, such as Table 2,
are used and must be memorized.

MULTIPLICATION TABLE
X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
3 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30
4 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
5 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
6 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
7 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70
8 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80
9 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
10 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Table 2 - Multiplication Table

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 Again numbers must be carried to be placed under the correct tens, hundreds, etc.,
columns as in addition.

827 x 9 = 7443 is arrived at as follows:

9x7 = 63, write 3 and carry 6 to the tens column

9x2 = 18 plus the 6 carried over, making 24; write 4, carry 2
9x8 = 72 plus the 2 carried over, making 74; write 74.

Example 3:

(a) 34 (multiplicand)
x 6 (multiplier)
204 (product)

(b) 37
x 29
333
740
1073

(c) 1364
5004
5456
6820000
6825456

The product of any number multiplied by zero is zero.

Division of Whole Numbers

Division is a sharing. The sign for division is ÷ and it is read “divided by”. The
expression 15 ÷ 5 means that 15 objects are shared or divided into 5 sets.
Division is the process of calculating how many times one number is contained in
another. It is the converse of multiplication. The number that is divided is the
dividend, the number it is divided by is the divisor and the answer is the quotient.

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Thus dividing 34 916 by 7:

4988
7 ) 34 916
28 7 will not divide into 3, but will go into
69 34. We try the largest number of times it
63 will go, put this in the quotient, write the
61 result under 34 and subtract. Carry the 9
56 down as shown and continue the solution.
56
56
0

It often happens that division cannot be carried out exactly. When the divisor
does not go an exact number of times into the dividend, the excess is called the
remainder.

In power engineering, division by zero is excluded; we never divide by 0. Also,

zero divided by any number is zero.

DECIMAL NUMBERS

Reading and Writing Decimal Numbers

A decimal fraction is a fraction which has 10 or a power of 10 as a denominator.

Thus 26 or 76 or 532 are decimal fractions.

10 100 10 000

In writing a decimal fraction, it is convenient to omit the denominator and

indicate what it is by placing a point or period (called a decimal point) in the
numerator so that there shall be as many figures to the right of this point as there
are zeros in the denominator.

The above fractions now become 2.6, 0.76 and 0.0532, read as “two decimal six,
zero decimal seven-six, and zero decimal zero-five-three-two”. The zero is
sometimes omitted.

The term “common” is used to describe all fractions other than those which are
decimal fractions. For example 1/2, 3/4, etc., are common fractions, their
equivalents 0.5 and 0.75 are decimal fractions. To change 1/2 to 0.5 the rule is:

Add zeros to the numerator and divide by the denominator. Place the decimal
point so as to make as many digits to the right of the decimal point as there were
zeros added.
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 For example, to change, 3/4 to a decimal add two zeros to the numerator and
divide by the denominator.

75
4 ) 300
28
20
20
0

Write the result as 0.75. (There are two digits to the right of the decimal.)

Notice that when the decimal number has no digits to the left of the decimal point,
a zero is placed to the left of that decimal point.

Ordering of Decimal Numbers

Table 3 shows the order and names of the places to both the left and the right of
the decimal point, with the number 765 432.135 79 illustrating the simplicity of
the decimal number system.

Hundred Thousandths
Hun Hundred Thousands

Ten Thousandths
Ten Thousands

Thousandths
Hundredths
Thousands

Hundreds

Decimal

Tenths
Ones
Tens

7 6 5 4 3 2 . 1 3 5 7 9

Table 3
Decimal Number System

The decimal point is located between the ones and tenths places, where whole
numbers end and fractions begin. Thus:
1 3 5 7 9
765 432.135 79 = 765 432 + + + + +
10 100 1000 10 000 100 000
13 579
= 765 432 +
100 000

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Addition and Subtraction of Decimal Numbers

Adding or subtracting with decimals is similar to adding or subtracting with

whole numbers. The important difference is the decimal point. The simplest way
to add or subtract is to first line up the decimal points.

You may find it easier to write extra zeros to the right of the decimal point so that
the numerals have the same number of decimal places. Carrying figures from
column to column in the presence of a decimal point does not affect the
procedure.

Example 4:

Find the sum of 60.95 + 4.0604 + 314.1 + 330

Solution:

60.9500
4.0604
314.1000
330.0000
709.1104 (Ans.)

Example 5:

Subtract 3.1416 from 8.1

Solution:

8.1000
3.1416
4.9584 (Ans.)

Multiplication of Decimal Numbers

1. Location of the Decimal Point

To multiply using decimals, multiply as though both factors were whole numbers
and then place the decimal point in the result. The sum of the decimal places in
the factors is the number of decimal places in the product.

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 For example:

0.035 x 3 = 0.105
0.7 x 7 = 4.9
0.0984 x 0.06 = 0.005904
0.073 x 0.1 = 0.0073

2. Multiplying by 10 and Power of 10

To multiply by 10, merely move the decimal point one place to the right. To
multiply by 100 (100 = 102), move the decimal point two places to the right. To
multiply by 10 000 (10 000 = 104), move the decimal point four places to the right.

Division of Decimal Numbers

The best method of division by the beginner is to move the decimal point in both
the divisor and dividend so that the divisor becomes a whole number.

Thus 21.7 = 217 000 = 15 500

0.0014 14

In this case, the decimal point was moved four places to the right. The decimal
place must always be moved the same number of places in both the numerator and
denominator.

Example 6:

Find the value of 0.0867 ÷ 0.21

Solution:
.4128
0.21)0.0867 = 21)8.6700
84
27
21
60
42
180
168
12
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 or say 0.413 (Ans.)

Notice that the quotient is written over the dividend so that the quotient decimal
point comes over the dividend decimal point. As many zeroes as are required can
be added to the dividend without affecting its value.

Write large numbers in groups of three starting with the decimal point. Four digit
numbers that are not placed in a column of larger numbers need not be so spaced.
Thus 1 234 567.890 98 is acceptable. If necessary, 0.7854 may be written as
0.785 4 if it is in a column of large numbers.

OPERATIONS WITH SIGNED NUMBERS

It was stated earlier in the module that the “+” and “-” signs have two meanings:
“+” may indicate the operation of addition or it may indicate a positive number; “-
” may indicate the subtraction operation or it may indicate a negative number.

Signed numbers can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided. A few examples

will be looked at first, then the rules pertaining to signed numbers will be
summarized.

Example 7:

(a) (+3) + (+4) = +7

(b) (-4) + (-8) = -12

(c) (+6) + (-2) = +4

(d) (+4) + (-7) + (-5) + (+10) + (-32) + (+9)

= (+4) + (+10) + (+9) + (-7) + (-32) + (-5)
= (+23) + (-44)
= -21

(e) (+2) - (+4) + (-3) - (-6) - (-9)

= (+2) + (-4) + (-3) + (+6) + (+9)
= (+17) + (-7)
= +10

(f) (-5)(-2) = +10

(g) (-18)(5) = -90

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 (h) (+3)(-3)(-4)(-2)
= (-9)(-4)(-2)
= (-9)(+8)
= -72

(i) (-2)4
=(-2)(-2)(-2)(-2)
=(4)(4)
= 16

(j) (-1)113 = -1

(k) (-80) ÷ (-20) = 4

(l) (27) ÷ (-3) = -9

Summarizing the rules relating to operations with signed numbers:

1. When adding numbers which have the same sign, add the numbers and
place the common sign in front of the sum.

2. When adding numbers which have opposite signs, subtract the smaller
number from the larger number and assign to the difference, the sign of the
larger number.

3. When adding more than two numbers, there are two different techniques
which can be used. The numbers can be added “two at a time” from left to
right; or, the positive numbers can be added, then the negative numbers can
be added, and finally rule 2 above can be used.

4. When subtracting signed numbers, first change the sign of the number to be
subtracted. Then change the subtraction sign to an addition sign. Finally,
use the rules of addition to evaluate the expression. (A shorter version of
this rule is “change the sign of the number to be subtracted and then add.”)

5. When multiplying signed numbers, if the numbers have the same sign, their
product is positive. If the numbers have opposite signs, their product is
negative.

6. When multiplying several signed numbers, if there is an even number of

negative numbers, then the product is positive. If there is an odd number of
negative numbers, then the product is negative.

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7. If a negative number is raised to an even power, then the result is positive.
If a negative number is raised to an odd power, then the result is negative.

8. When dividing signed numbers, if the numbers have the same sign, their
quotient is positive. If the numbers have opposite signs, their quotient is
negative. It should be noted here that zero divided by any number is zero,
and any number divided by zero is undefined.

that is:

0 = 0
-17

and

13 = undefined
0

Order of Operations

In the previous section, examples showed situations involving only one basic
operation: addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. When evaluating an
expression that involves all operations, the order of the operations is most
important.

The order of carrying out the operations is as follows:

1. First, all powers (exponents) should be evaluated.

2. Secondly, carry out all operations within brackets. If there are brackets
within brackets, work from the innermost set of brackets to the outermost
set of brackets.

3. Then, carry out any multiplication or division operations working from

LEFT to RIGHT.

4. Finally, carry out the addition and subtraction operations.

Some examples will help to illustrate the use of these operations in the proper and
stated order.

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 Example 8:

Simplify (42 + 6) x 9 - 32 + 16 ÷ 4 - 8

Solution:

1. There are no exponents, therefore proceed to point 2 (brackets).

48 x 9 - 32 + 16 ÷ 4 - 8
2. Perform multiplication and division from left to right.
432 - 32 + 4 - 8
3. Finally, perform the additions and subtractions.
432 - 32 + 4 - 8 = 400 + 4 – 8
= 404 - 8
= 396 (Ans.)

Example 9:

Simplify [-(42) ÷ 2 + (2)(6) - (-6)] ÷ (-1)(2)

Solution:

= (-16 ÷ 2 + 12 + 6) ÷ (-1)(2)
= (-8 + 12 + 6) ÷ (-1)(2)
= (10) ÷ (-1)(2)
= (-10)(2)
= -20 (Ans.)

Example 10:

Evaluate 27 ÷ (-3) + 3{2(-3)2 - [(-2)3 - 3(4)]}

Solution:

= 27 ÷ (-3) + 3{2(9) - [-8 - 12]}

= 27 ÷ (-3) + 3 {2(9) - [-20] }
= 27 ÷ (-3) + 3 { 18 + [+20] }
= 27 ÷ (-3) + 3 {38}
= -9 + 114
= 105

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Self Test
Directions:
• Answer the following questions.
• Compare your answers to the enclosed answer key.
If you disagree with any of the answers, review learning activities and/or check with your instructor.

1. 32 + 41 + 70 = .

2. 73 + 1204 + 513 = .

3. 82 + 34 + 147 + 1009 = .

4. 76 841 + 39 001 + 967 860 + 4362 = .

5. 1001 + 9009 = .

6. 491 - 62 = .

7. 1847 - 792 = .

8. 31 790 - 21 119 = .

9. 1505 - 999 = .

10. 999 990 - 888 889 = .

11. 742 x 397 = .

12. 542 x 238 = .

13. 2345 x 2142 = .

14. 8912 x 106 = _____.

15. 18 ÷ 9 = .

16. 75 406 ÷ 32 = .

17. 112 269 ÷ 486 = .

18. 5 = .
3-3

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 19. 2x4x4 = .
12 - (4 x 3)

20. 200 x 3.714 = .

21. 0.012 x 0.04 = .

22. 250 x 0.125 = .

23. 1.75 x 3.5 = .

24. 100 x 0.095 = .

25. 16.0024 ÷ 8 = .

26. 0.86 ÷ 2 = .

27. 0.250 ÷ 0.005 = .

28. 1.728 ÷ 1.2 = .

29. 1.69 ÷ 130 = .

30. 12 + 6 ÷ 3 = .

31. (12 + 6) ÷ 3 = .

32. 2 x [36 ÷ (18 - 9 ) + 25 - 32] = .

33. 3 x 20 - [13 - (9 - 3)] = .

34. 40 - 23 ÷ 4 x 2 - 5 + 3 = .

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Self Test Answers

1. 143 18. Impossible

2. 1790 19. Impossible

3. 1272 20. 742.8

4. 1 088 064 21. 0.00048

5. 10 010 22. 31.25

6. 429 23. 6.125

7. 1055 24. 9.5

8. 10 671 25. 2.0003

9. 506 26. 0.43

10. 111 101 27. 50

11. 294 574 28. 1.44

12. 128 996 29. 0.013

13. 5 022 990 30. 14

14. 944 672 31. 6

15. 2 32. 40

16. 2356 with 14 remainder 33. 53

17. 231 with 3 remainder 34. 34

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 References and Reference Material

For more information on this topic, the following is recommended:

1. Zimmer, Rudolf A. Essential Mathematics. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/ Hunt;

1983.

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