43 Basic Equations
Section Information
Outcome/Competency: You will be able to use basic equations to solve trade related problems.
Timing: 26h
Rationale:
Why is it important for you to learn this skill?
It is sometimes possible to analyze something by measuring it. For example, you can measure voltage in a circuit using a multimeter. Sometimes, however, it is not practical to perform that measurement. Other times, you may want to predict what the value will be before you start your work. Still other times, you will need to know what a value should be to tell if everything is operating correctly. Being able to use and manipulate equations is essential in each one of these scenarios.
Objectives:
To be competent in this area, the individual must be able to:
- Solve an equation for a given variable
- Perform numeric and variable substitutions in an equation
Learning Goals
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Solve equations for the indicated variable and derive new formulas by substituting and expression of variables
Introduction:
This module will cover basic equations, order of operations, integers, and evaluating algebraic expressions. You will go have content explained through examples then have an opportunity to practice those skills with exercises.
Topic 1: Order of Operations
There is a standard way to do a series of operations (add, subtract, multiply and divide.) This is called the order of operations. The infamous way of remembering the order of operations is B.E.D.M.A.S. This stands for Brackets, Exponents, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction. This means, in an expression, evaluate what is in the brackets first, then the exponents. Division and multiplication are done from left to right. Finally, addition and subtraction are done from left to right. If necessary, review this section in the math essentials course.
Practice Exercises
[h5p id=”26″]
Topic 2: Integers
Numbers are broken down into groups. Each group is a little more complicated than the previous, and, in a way, the development of the groups reflects the development of mankind’s understanding and need for more complicated math.
- Whole numbers are the most primitive. They are the numbers you can count on your hand: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on.
- Natural numbers include all whole numbers, plus the number zero.
- Integers include all natural numbers, and all negative numbers. For example, integers are
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…-3,-2.-1.0,1,2,3…
You can imagine the development of integers was necessary once people started trading goods and money. A negative number meant that you owed someone or paid something.
Adding Integers
When learning about integers, it might be useful to think of numbers as two different qualities: black or red, left or right, or, negative or positive.
Another way of thinking about integers is to “forget” about subtraction or addition. There is one operation that combines integers, and it is like addition. There is no subtraction, only adding negative numbers.
When adding integers, it is useful also to think ab