NEXUS NNPC FSTP

Mathematics
Technicians
Course Code:
 Module 1

Working with
Numbers
 Module 1 – Working with
numbers
Number systems:
• We depend on numbers
every day, and need to
understand number system
and how to use them
• The different types of
number are:
 Module 1 - Working with
numbers
• Natural numbers (1,2,3,4,5 , ……
• Whole numbers ( 0,1,2,3,4,5……..
• Even numbers (2,4,6,8……i.e. divisible
by 2)

• odd numbers ( 1,3,5,7, etc numbers

not divisible by 2)
• odd numbers ( 1,3,5,7, etc numbers
not divisible by 2
• prime numbers (numbers that
divisible by 1 and itself),
 Module 1 - Working with
numbers

• MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS:
In addition to numbers, symbols are used
to give mathematical information. Some of
these symbols are:
+ Plus or = Equal to < Less than, ≥ Greater than
positive or equal to

∞ infinity ≠ Not equal to √ Square root ≈ approxiequal

mately equal to
∑ Summation of - Subtract or X multiply
minus
 Module 1
Working with numbers
CALCULATION:
• Mathematics is governed by a set of
rules. These rules must be adhered to in
your calculation in order to avoid
confusion.
• One of such rule is BODMAS. BODMAS
is an abbreviation for:

B – Bracket, O- Of, D- Division, M-

Multiplication, A- Addition, S-
Subtraction.
 Module 1 - Working with
numbers
FACTORS:
The factors of a number are smaller numbers that
can divide the number completely.
The factors of 12 are 1,2,3,4,6, 12.
• Prime factors of a number are factors of the
number that are prime numbers
• The prime factors of 60 are 2,3,5.
But 60 can be written as the product of its prime
factors.
So, 60= 2 x 2 x 3 x 5
 Module 1 - Working with
numbers
MULTIPLES:
• A multiple of a number is the product of that
number and an integer. Multiples of 3 are
3,6,9,12. So for instance, 6 is a multiple of 3
because 6=3x2. Also 3 is a factor of 6 because
6/3=2
• The lowest common multiple (LCM) of two or
more numbers is the smallest number that is a
multiple of each of them. 12 is a multiple of 3 and
4. It is also the smallest number that both 3 and 4
will divide into. So 12 is the LCM of 3 and 4
 Patterns and Sequence

PATTERNS AND SEQUENCE

Sequence simply means pattern. Numbers that
form sequence follows a particular pattern or
rule.
Examples
2, 4, 6, 8,10 – the next number is greater by 2.
5,10,15,20,25 – the next number is greater by 5.
 Module 1 - Working with
numbers
POWERS AND ROOTS:

• 72 = 7X7 =49. We can turn this statement round

and say, the square of 7 is 49 and the square
root of 49 is 7.

• To square a number is to raise the number to

the power of 2.
 Numbers

We can find the square root of a number by

1- Find the log of the number in the four figure
table, divide the log by 2 and then find the
anti-log. This method can be used to find cube
root. 4th root etc. All you need to do is to
divide the log by the root and then find the
anti-log.
OR
2- Find the factors, and group them in pairs.
 Numbers

FRACTIONS:
The word fraction means part.
TYPES OF FRACTION:-
•Proper fraction: This is the type of
fraction where the numerator is
bigger than the denominator. It is the
normal fraction e.g. ½, ¾,
 Fractions

• Improper fraction: This is the type of

fraction where the numerator is
bigger than the denominator e.g.
8/3, 5/3 etc
• Mixed fraction: This type of fraction
consists of a whole number and a
proper fraction e.g. 3 ½, 73/4
 Fractions

ADDING OR SUBTRACTING FRACTION

EXAMPLE
•½ + 2/5 = 5/10 + 4/10 = 9/10
• 5/8 – 1/20 = 25/40 – 2/40 =23/40

MULTIPLYING FRACTIONS:
•EXAMPLE
½ X 6/7 = 6
2X7 =
 Fractions

DIVIDING FRACTIONS:
• To divide a fraction by any fraction, you
multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal
of the second fraction. The reciprocal of
2/3 is 3/2. Just turn the fraction upside
down.
• Then multiply out.
Example: ½ divide by ¼
• Solution: ½ x 4/1 = 2
 Decimals

DECIMALS:
• Decimal numbers are based on powers of
ten. The number 5 268 (five thousand two
hundred and sixty eight) means:
5 000 + 200 + 60 + 8
• The position of the numbers is important.
In the example above, we have
thousands, hundreds, tens and units.
 Decimals

What about this number: 5.268?

• In this case, the decimal point has been
used to show where the units end and
fractions begin. The fractions are also
expressed in powers of ten:
2/10; 6/100 ;8/1000
So a decimal is a fraction whose
denominator is 10 or 100 or 1000 or ---
 Decimals

DECIMALS:
• 42.013 is 42013/1000
• 0.07 is 7/100
CHANGING FRACTIONS TO DECIMAL
All common fractions can be changed to decimal
by dividing the numerator by the denominator.
For example 2/5 = 0.4
 Decimals

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING DECIMALS

We can use a calculator but it is often easy
to do it oneself.
24.17
+ .142
24.312
33.91
- 4.002
29.908
 Decimals

When you add or subtract decimals, you

can:
• Change them to common fractions and add
them
• Place them above each other with the decimal
points in line and add them normally
• Use a calculator.
Examples: 0.5 + 0.3 = 5/10 + 3/10 = 8/10 = 0.8
0.34 + 0.02 = 0.36
8.64 – 5.6034 = 3.0366
 Decimals

MULTIPLYING DECIMALS
• When we multiply a decimal (multiplicand) by
another decimal (multiplier) we find the product as
with whole numbers and then fix the decimal point
according to the total number of decimal places in
the multiplicand and multiplier.
EXAMPLE 3. 0 2
Find 3.02 x 4.7 x 4 .7
2 1 1 4
12 0 8
• 1 4. 1 9 4
 Decimals

Dividing Decimals:
• Conunt the number of decimal places;
• Subtract them; work as usual and insert
the decimal point when you are done.
EXAMPLE:
1). 144 / 0.02
= 1.144 x 100 / 0.02 x 100
=14.4 / 2
= 7.2
 Decimals

• Recurring decimals:
• There are cases where you divide by certain
numbers, and often gets an unending decimal
value. E.g. 8/15 = 0.53
also, 2/3 = 0.6666666…, which is written as
0.6. with a dot over the number 6.
1/7 = 0.142857142857142857…..
Here ‘142857’ recurs, so we put a dot over the
first and the last digits of the part that recurs.
 Decimals
Rounding Numbers:
From the previous slide, if the division is unending, it can
be written as a recurring decimal or it number can be
rounded up after a suitable number of decimal places.
Look at these statements:
• ‘The population of Durban is about 750 000.’
• ‘It takes light around 8.65 years to travel from the star
Sirius to the Earth.’
• The thickness of one of my hairs is roughly 0.0075
centimeters.’
 Decimals
Each of the statements contains a number
which is not exact.
The population of Durban is not exactly 750 000,
although this figure gives you a good idea of
its size.
In each of the statements, the number is correct
to a particular degree of accuracy.
We say that the number has been rounded or
corrected to that degree of accuracy.
 Decimals
Rounding to the nearest ten
• Consider the number 273. This number lies between 270
and 280. It is nearer to 270 than it is 280. We write 273 =
270 to the nearest ten.
• The number 518 is between 510 and 520. It is nearer to
520 than it is to 510. We write 518 = 520 to the nearest
ten.
• How would you round 845 to the nearest ten? 845 is
exactly half way between 840 and 850. In such cases, we
always round up for the nearest ten. So 845 = 850 to the
nearest ten.
• In a similar way, you can round numbers to the nearest
hundred, or nearest thousand, or nearest million and so on
 Decimals

• Rounding to the nearest unit

• What about rounding a number like 7.63 to
the nearest unit? 7.63 is between the
numbers 7 and 8. Do you round up or
down? 7.63 is closer to 8, so 7.63 = 8
rounded to the nearest unit.
 Decimals
Rounding to decimal places
• In the same way that you could be asked to give
an answer rounded to the nearest unit or nearest
ten, you could be asked to give an answer
rounded to a certain number of decimal places.
The answer is said to be rounded (or corrected) to
the number of decimal places.
• Here is a method you can use:
• Work out the answer to one more place than you
need. If the extra number is 5 or more, add 1 to
the number before it. If the extra number is less
than 5, leave the number before it as it is.
 Decimals
Examples
1).Write 43.2976 correct to 1 decimal place.
You need to correct to 1 decimal place. So look at the figure in
the second decimal place. This is 9, which is more than 5. So
you must add 1 to the 2 in the first decimal place.
So 43.2976 = 43.3 correct to 1 decimal place.
2).Take the same number, 43.2976. This time write it correct to 2
decimal places.
At the second decimal place we have 9. The figure after this is
7, which is more than 5. So you must add 1 to 9.
So 43.2976 = 43.30 correct to 2 decimal places.
 Decimals

• Rounding to significant figures

• If you read a number from left to right, ignoring
the decimal point, the first significant figure is the
first number that is not zero. All figures after that
are also significant.
• 5.143 has 4 significant figures.
• 0.0003056 also has 4 significant figures.
• You may be asked to round numbers to a
certain number of significant figures. Look at
these examples carefully to see how this differs
from rounding off to decimal places.
 Decimals

Examples
• Write the following numbers correct to 3
significant figures.
(1) 4 768 000 (2) 7 471 (3) 367.82
(4) 6.781 (5) 0.002178
(1).To correct to 3 significant figures, look at the
fourth significant figure.
• The fourth significant figure is 8. This is more
than 5. So add 1 to the third figure, 6. Thus, 4
768 000 = 4 770 000 correct to 3 significant
figures. Don’t forget to write the zeros.
 Decimals

(2).The fourth significant figure is 1, which is less

than 5. So leave the third figure as it is.
Hence, 7471 = 7470 correct to 3 significant
figures.
(3). 367.82 = 368 correct to 3 significant figures.
(4). 6.781 = 6.78 correct to 3 significant figures.
(5). The first significant figure is 2. The fourth
significant figure is 8.
So 0.002178 = 0.00218 correct to 3 significant
figures.
 Numbers
• Rate
Sometimes we need to compare two different
quantities that are measured in different units. If a
quantity of one thing is considered in relation to a
unit of another, we call this a rate.
• Percentages
The phrase per cent comes from the Latin ‘per
centuri’ which means ‘as per hundred’.
A percentage is a ratio in which the second
quantity is always 100.
• In other words, a percentage is a fraction in which
the denominator is always 100.
 Numbers

• 25/100 is twenty-five per cent or 25%.

• 72% is 72/100 or 72 : 100.
• You can write any fraction as a percentage
by changing the denominator to 100.
• Writing a percentage as a fraction
• To change a percentage into a fraction,
change the % symbol into x 1/100 and
simplify the fraction.
 Numbers

• Percentages of a given quantity

• You may need to calculate a percentage of a
quantity. For example, 14% VAT on ₦35.
• To work this out, first change the percentage to
a fraction. Multiply the fraction by the given
number and simplify.
• Examples
1). 5% of 600 2. 2 ½ % of ₦200
=5 x 1/100 = 5/100 5/2 x 1/100 =5/200 = 1/40
= 5% of 600 1/40 x 200 = ₦ 5
= 5/100 of 600
= 30
 Percentages

• Writing one number as a percentage of

another
• To write a given number as a pesrcentage
of another number, first write the given
number as a fraction of the other number.
Multiply by 100/1 and simplify.
Examples:
1). Express 15 as a percentage of 45.
Write 15 as a fraction of 45: 15/45
multiply by 100/1: 15/45 x 100/1 =33.3 %
 Module 2 – ALGEBRA

Algebra is the branch of mathematics in

which we use alphabets (a-z) to represent
unknown quantities.
If I say I have b number of oranges, you will
not know the number of oranges I have.
If I say again that Tony has q oranges more
than Dele, q is an unknown quantity. It
could be any number.
The unknown is usually represented by any
alphabet, say n.
 Module 2 – ALGEBRA

USING FORMULAE
• Formulae are rules for finding certain
quantities by combining others. When the
values of alphabets are given, they can be
substituted into formulae in order to obtain
the answer.
• The step is relatively simple – just
substitute the given value of the alphabet
into the formulae,
 Examples

Examples:
(1). If a=12, find the value of the expression
25-2a
Solution: 25 - 2x12
25 - 24 = 1
(2). If a=4, b=5, find the value of the expression
ab-10
Solution:
4X5 –10
20-10 =10
 Examples

If the cost of an item is given by the

formulae C = 12n + 750, find C when
n=500.
• SOLUTION
• C = 12n + 750
• C = 12X500 + 750
• 6000 + 750 = 6750
 Module 2: ALGEBRA

• I am 5 years older than my brother. What

is the sum of our present ages?
SOLUTION
• Let my brother’s age be c years
• My age is (c + 5) years
• The sum of present ages will be
c + (c +5)
 Module 2: ALGEBRA
When 50 is added to a certain number, the
answer is the same as when the number is
multiplied by 3 and 5 subtracted. Write the
algebraic expression.
SOLUTION
• Let the number be n
• When 50 is added to the number,
it becomes n + 50
• The answer is the same as 3n -5
• The algebraic expression is n+50 =3n-5
 Module 2: ALGEBRA

SIMPLIFYING ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS

• Algebraic expressions contain a few or
many terms, each separated by + sign,
- sign, x multiplication sign or ÷ division
sign.

• The purpose is to express it in its simplest

form.
 Examples

STEPS IN SIMPLIFYING ALGEBRAIC

EXPRESSION
• Like terms are those terms in the
expression containing the same unknown
or alphabets.
• Like terms will be collected together and
then added or subtracted etc together
• Observe the signs very carefully and do
not mix them up.
 Numbers

• If there are brackets in the expression,

they must be removed and the terms
outside the bracket will multiply the terms
inside the bracket.

• In the course of the above multiplication,

the signs may change.
 Examples
EXAMPLES
(1). Simplify the following
3a+2c +7a+12c+15a
• Collect like terms together:
• 3a+7a+15a+2c+12c
• 25a+14c

(2). 12a+14b+20c-5a+10b-7c
• Collecting like terms together
• 12a-5a+14b+10b+20c-7c
• 7a+24b+13c
 Numbers

(3). 2(6c+5) + 6(d – 2c)

• Multiplying out and removing the
brackets
• 12c + 10 + 6d – 12c
• Collecting like terms together
• 12c – 12c + 6d + 10
• 6d + 10
 Numbers

Exercises
• Simplify the following algebraic expressions:

• 4n – 4 +3n +1

• X2 + 4x -3 -7x + 9

• 8(x2 + x – 3) + 5(2 – x)
 Numbers

SOLVING LINEAR EQUATIONS

• A mathematical equation is not the same
as a mathematical expression.
• An equation must contain an equality sign
(=).
• What it means is that the left hand side of
the equation is equal to the right hand side
of the equation.
.
 Numbers
• In other words, when you have an
equation, whatever you do at one side of
the equation you also do it at the other side
of the equation.
• The two sides must continue to be equal to
each other.
EXAMPLE:
• Solve the equation 2x +5 = 20
• 2x + 5 – 5 = 20 -5
• 2x = 15
• X = 15/2 = 7.5
 Numbers
Solve 2(7x +4) = (x+2)
Steps:
• Opening the bracket
• 14x + 8 = x + 2
• Collecting like terms
• 14x – x =2- 8
• 13x = -6
• Dividing by 13
• 13x/13 = -6/13
• X = -6/13
 Numbers
Solve 2(7x +4) = (x+2)
• Opening the bracket
• 14x + 8 = x + 2
• Collecting like terms
• 14x – x =2- 8
• 13x = -6
• Dividing by 13
• 13x / 13 = -6/13
• X = -6/13
 Numbers

Exercises
• Solve the equation 3(x +1) -4 = 2(x + 4)

• When I treble a certain number and add 2,

I get the same answer as I do when I take
the number from 50. Write an equation for
the problem and solve it.

• Solve the equation 200y – 51 = 40

 Numbers
CHANGING THE SUBJECT OF A FORMULA
• The letter I is the subject of the formula in
the expression
I = PRT/100.
The subject stands on its own. It can be found
directly by substituting in the values of the other
letters in the formula.
• It is often necessary to change the subject of
the formula. This means to rearrange the
order of the letters in the formula so that one
of the other letters becomes the subject.
 Numbers

STEPS TO SOLVING CHANGE OF

SUBJECT FORMULA
• Treat the formula like an algebraic
equation
• Solve the equation for the letter that is to
be the new subject of the formular
• Remember
• Begin by clearing fractions, brackets and
square root signs
 Numbers

• Rearrange the resulting equation so that

all the terms that contain the subject are
on one side and the rest on the other side

• Simplify the side containing the subject

until it remains as a single term
 Examples

EXAMPLES
(1). If I = PRT/100, make P the subject of
the formular
• P = PRT/100
• Multiply both sides by 100
• 100I = PRT……………1
• Dividing both sides of eqn (1) by RT
• PRT / RT = 100I / RT
T = 100 I / RT
 Examples

(2). Make b the subject of the formula

A = 1/2bh
• Multiply by 2
• 2A = bh
• Dividing by h
• b = 2A/h
 Examples
(3). Make y the subject of the formula
3x – 2y = 8
• 3x – 2y =8
• Add 2y to both sides
• 3x -2y + 2y= 8 +2y
• 3x = 8 + 2y
• Subtracting 8 from both sides
• 3x -8 = 8 -8 +2y
• 3x – 8 = 2y
• Dividing both sides by 2
y = 3x -8/2
 Examples

Exercises:
• If n2-1/m =4, make m the subject of the
formula

• Make N the subject of the formula P =N +

2/D

• Make d the subject of the formula a/b = c/d

 Examples
USING ALGEBRA TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
• Before you can use algebra to solve problems,
you must be able to write information in algebra.
STEPS FOR EXPESSING INFORMATION IN
ALGEBRAIC FORM:
• Make sure you understand the problem by
reading it carefully
• Note the facts that are given and the quantities
that you have to find
• State clearly the letter that you will use to
represent one of the quantities you need to find
 Examples

• Represent the other unknown quantities in terms

of the others.
• Write an equation using the facts that have been
given
• Solve the equation
• State clearly the values of the quantities you
were asked to find.
• Check if your answer is reasonable
 Examples
EXAMPLE:
The sum of 9 and a certain number
is one and a half times the original
number. Find the number.
• Let the number be z
• Z + 9 = 1½ Z
• Subtract z from both sides
• 9=½z
• Multiply both sides by 2
• Z = 18
 Examples

DIRECT AND INVERSE VARIATION

• Variation means relationship between two
or more things. A change in one result in a
change in the other.
• When we prepare very well for an exam,
the chance is that we will score a very high
score. Here our scores are related to our
preparedness for the exam.
 Examples

• If you are travelling to somewhere in a

motor vehicle, the greater the speed of the
vehicle the shorter the time it will take to
reach there.

• This is inverse variation.

 Examples
EXAMPLE:
If x is directly proportional to y and x =2 when y =
8, find the equation connecting x and y
• W e introduce k, the constant of proportionality
• X = k y……….(1)
• Substitute x =2, y = 8 into eqn (1)
• 2=k8
• Divide both sides by the coefficient of k, that
is 8, so we have: 2/8 =8k/8
• ¼ = k, now Substitute k =1/4 into eqn (1)
• X = 1/4y or x = y/4
 Examples

UNDERSTANDING INDICES

• Scientists, technicians and engineers often

have to deal with numbers expressed as

power of 10. For example 102, 107,10-3

etc. When we are dealing with power of

this form, we are dealing with indices.

 Examples
THE LAWS OF INDICES
(1). Any number raised to power 0 is 1
• 20 = 1
• (162 + 53)0 = 1
(2). Multiplication is addition of powers
• 22 x 23 x 24 = 22+3+4 = 29
• 43 x 42 x 4-2 = 43+2+(-2) = 43
• They must have same base.
 Examples

(3). Division is subtraction of powers

• 56 ÷ 54 = 56- 4 = 52
(4). Fractional power is root according to the
denominator
• 51/2 = √5
(5). Negative indices is a reciprocal of the
number
a-3 = 1/a3
 Examples
Examples:
(1). Simplify
a). 2e4 x 5e10 b). 2e3 x 5e-4
= 10e4+10 = 10e3-4
= 10e14 = 10e-1

(2). Simplify
a). 12p4 ÷ 4p3 b). 6g4h3 ÷ 2g3h
= 3p4-3 = 3g4-3h3-1
= 3p = 3gh2
 Examples

ALGEBRAIC MANIPULATION
• Most algebraic manipulation combines the
rules of removing brackets, applying the
rules of directed numbers, as well as the
rules of indices on BODMAS.
 Examples

EXAMPLES:
(1). Expand (3p + 2)2
• (3p +2)(3p + 2)
• 9p2 + 6p +6p + 4
• 9p2 + 12p +4
(2). (a – b)(3a-2b +3c)
• 3a2 – 2ab + 3ac- 3ab + 2b2 – 3bc
• 3a2- 5ab + 2b2 – 3bc + 3ac
 Examples

FACTORIZATION
• Factorization means writing an expression
in terms of its factors. We can think of
factorization as the inverse of removing
brackets.
EXAMPLE
Factorize 12y +8z
• The HCF of 12y and 8z is 4
• 12y + 8z = 4(12y/4 + 8z/4)
• 4(3y + 2z)
 Examples

FACTORIZATION OF QUADRATIC
EQUATION
• A quadratic expression is one in which 2 is
the highest power of the unknown in the
expression. To factorize a quadratic
expression is to express it as a product of
its factors
 Examples

EXAMPLES
Factorize x2 + 7 +10
• We look for 2 factors whose product will
be +10 and whose sum will be +7
• These factors will be +2 and +7
• Factorization of x2 + 7x +10 gives (x
+2)(x+7).
• It is always good to multiply out these
factors to be sure your answer is correct.
 Examples

ALGEBRAIC FRACTIONS
• Algebraic fractions can be simplified,
added, subtracted, multiplied and divided
in the same way as arithmetic fractions.
• However, in order to perform these
operations, you may need to find the
factors of the numerators and
denominator.
 Examples

STEPS IN SOLVING ALGEBRAIC

FRACTIONS
• To solve an equation with fractions,
always clear the fractions
• To clear the fractions, multiply each term
on both sides of the equation by the LCM
of the denominators of the fractions
• After the fractions have been cleared,
clear bracket, collect like terms and solve
the usual way
 Examples
EXAMPLE
Solve the equation x- 4/5 = 2 – x/2
• There are two denominators, 5 and 2. There
LCM is 10. Multiply each term in the equation by
10
• 10(x -4)/5 =10 x2 – 10 x (x/2)
• 2(x-4) =20 – 5x
• Clear brackets:2x -8 =20 -5x
• Add 5x to both sides: 7x -8 = 20
• Add 8 to both sides: 7x = 28
• Divide both sides by 7: X =7
SOLVING SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS
• Simultaneous linear equations can be
solved graphically by drawing the graph of
the two equations on the same axis, their
point of intersection gives the solution.
• Simultaneous equation can also be
solved algebraically either by substitution
or by elimination
 Examples

METHOD OF SUBSTITUTION
Solve the equations 2x + y = 7; x – y = 2.
• When asked to solve two equations with
two unknowns, assume that they are
simultaneous linear equations.
• Write out the equations, one below the
other. Label them, equations (1) and (2)
• Thank you