Introduction and Summary

One of the most basic sets of numbers is the whole numbers: the set of numbers that
includes zero and all the counting numbers--no fractions or decimals (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) This
chapter will focus on the general properties of whole numbers, as well as the specific properties
of each individual whole number and the way two whole numbers interact. Starting with the
general principles of our number system, this chapter will move toward characteristics that
distinguish one number from another. We will then see how these numbers are related to each
other.
The first section will deal with how our decimal system represents numbers and why
our system is called a base ten system. We will learn the meaning of place value and how to
describe numbers by their place value.
The second section will deal with divisibility. We will learn tricks for determining
whether a number is divisible by another number without actually carrying out the division.
Knowing divisibility rules is a great help in determining factors, which begin the
discussion of section three. Section three will also deal with prime numbers and composite
numbers. These numbers play a huge role in mathematics, ranging from pre-algebra to
advanced number theory.
One way in which the prime numbers are useful in pre-algebra is in prime factorization.
This is the topic of section four. In exploring prime factorization, we will learn how to find the
greatest common factor and the least common multiple of two or more numbers. This will be of
great use when we talk about fractions.

Terms
Base Ten - System in which ten digits are used in combination to represent all numbers. The
system also uses the concept of place value, wherein each place has a value greater by a factor
of 10 than the value of the place to its right. The digit in each place represents a number that is
equal to that numeral times 10 raised to a certain power. For example, the "5" in "6,589"
represents 5×102 .
Composite - A whole number that has at least one factor besides 1 and itself; e.g. any whole
number greater than 1 and not prime.
Divisible - A number is divisible by another number if it can be divided equally by that number;
that is, if it yields a whole number when divided by that number. 12 is divisible by 4 because
12/4 = 3 , and 3 is a whole number. 12 is not divisible by 10, because 12/10 = 1.2 , and 1.2 is not
a whole number.
Decimal System - Our system of numeration. The digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, used in
combination, represent all numbers.
Factor - A number by which another number is divisible. 1, 2, 3, and 6 are all factors of 6,
because 6/1, 6/2, 6/3, and 6/6 are all whole numbers.
Greatest Common Factor - The greatest (largest) number that divides two or more given
numbers.
Least Common Multiple - The smallest number that is divisible by two or more given numbers.
Multiple - A number that can be obtained by multiplying a given number by a whole number.
6, 9, and 12 are all multiples of 3, because 3×2 = 6 , 3×3 = 9 , and 3×4 = 12 . If a is a factor of b ,
then b is a multiple of a .
Place Value - The value of a digit, based on where it appears in a numeral. The value of each
position in a numeral is ten times the value of the position to its right. The numeral 30,482 has
a "2" in the ones place, an "8" in the tens place, a "4" in the hundreds place, a "0" in the
thousands place, and a "3" in the ten thousands place. The number 1.567 has a "1" in the ones
place, a "5" in the tenths place, a "6" in the hundredths place, and a "7" in the thousandths
place.
Prime - A positive whole number divisible only by 1 and itself. Following are the first fifteen
prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47 ... (Note: 1 is not considered
prime).
Prime Factorization - A number written as the product of its prime factors.
Relatively Prime - Two numbers that have no common prime factors and thus have a greatest
common factor of 1. For example, 64 and 295 are relatively prime, since they share no prime
factors.
Whole Number - The set of numbers which includes zero and all the counting numbers--no
fractions or decimals. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ...

Addition of Whole Numbers

Mathematical properties are often used to simplify computation. Below are three
addition properties stated in words, shown with a numeric example, and shown with an
algebraic example. The Zero Property of Addition is also called the Identity Property of
Addition.
Associative Property of Addition
When numbers or variables are added, for example (2 + 3) + 4 = 2 + (3 + 4) and (a + b)
+ c = a + (b + c),the addends can be grouped in different ways without changing the result.
Commutative Property of Addition
When numbers or variables are added, for example 2 + 3 = 3 + 2 and a + b = b + a,the
order of the addends can be changed without changing the result.
Zero Property of Addition
When 0 is added to a number or variable, for example, 2 + 0 = 2 and a + 0 = a, the
result is the same number or variable.

These properties can be used when adding numbers.

Example: 3,378 + 2,983 = (3,000 + 300 + 70 + 8) + (2,000 + 900 + 80 + 3)
= (3,000 + 2,000) + (300 + 900) + (70 + 80) + (8 + 3)
= 5,000 + 1,200 + 150 + 11
= 5,000 + (1,000 + 200) + (100 + 50) + (10 + 1)
= (5,000 + 1,000) + (200 + 100) + (50 + 10) + 1
= 6,000 + 300 + 60 + 1
= 6,361
The method used above is long and cumbersome. The use of a base-ten positional number
system for writing numbers allows simpler algorithms for arithmetic operations to be
developed. An algorithm is an organized procedure for performing a given type of calculation.
In the addition and subtraction algorithms, digits are aligned according to place value, and the
computation is completed from right to left.
Addition example: ones position
Add the ones Addition example: tens position
Add the tens Addition example: hundreds position
Add the hundreds Addition example: thousads position
Add the thousands
11 ones =
1 ten + 1 one 16 tens =
1 hundred + 6 tens 13 hundreds =
1 thousand + 3 hundreds
Subtraction of Whole Numbers
Subtraction of whole numbers can also be completed using the addition properties and
expanded notation, but this method is long and cumbersome. The subtraction algorithm
provides a simple, compact method for completing such calculations. As in addition, digits are
aligned according to place value, and the computation is completed from right to left.
Subtraction example: ones position
Rename. Subtraction example: tens position
Subtract the tens Subtraction example: hundreds position
Rename. Subtraction example: thousads position
Subtract the thousands
5 ten 0 ones =
4 tens 10 ones
Subtract the ones. 16 tens =
1 hundred + 6 tens 3 thousands 1 hundred =
2 thousands 11 hundred
Subtract the hundreds.
Estimating Sums and Differences
When an exact answer is not necessary, an estimate can be used. The most common method of
estimating sums and differences is to round each number to a specific place and then add or
subtract the rounded numbers.
Examples:
Estimate 4,894 + 2,429.
4,894 → 5,000
2,429 → +2,000
7,000
Round each number to the
nearest thousand.
Add the rounded numbers.
Estimate 6,209 − 383.6,209 → 6,200
 383 → − 400
5,800
Round each number to the
nearest hundred.
Subtract the rounded numbers.
Mental math can often be used to complete estimates. At this grade level, however,
errors can be more easily identified if students write down their work when estimating
answers.
As students gain experience and confidence estimating sums and differences, point out
that estimates can often be used to check computations. Students should realize that if both
addends are rounded up, the estimated sum will be greater than the actual sum, and if both
addends are rounded down, the estimated sum will be less than the actual sum. Such
generalizations are not possible with subtraction.

Expressions and Equations

An arithmetic expression consists of numbers, grouping symbols, and operation symbols.
An algebraic expression is like an arithmetic expression, but contains at least one variable. A
variable is a letter that represents a number.
When evaluating expressions at this grade level, students are told to first evaluate within
parentheses and then complete the evaluation from left to right. An algebraic expression is
evaluated by substituting a given value for the variable and then simplifying the resulting
arithmetic expression.
The equality of two expressions gives an equation. If two expressions are not equal, an
inequality is created. The inequality symbols used at this grade level are ≠ (is not equal to), > (is
greater than), and < (is less than).
When one side of an equation contains the variable and the other side contains a number,
the equation can be solved. To solve an equation means to find the value of the variable that
will make the equation true. The equations in this chapter are simple enough to be solved by
inspection, by using related number sentences, or by using a guess-and-check strategy.
Sometimes an equation may have two variables. In this case, a function table is used to find
pairs of numbers that make the equation true. Students will learn more about evaluating
expressions and solving equations in future chapters.