Before solving a problem with more than one operation, the student must know the mathematical order of operation. The order of operation is parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition and subtraction (PEMDAS). Using 3(5-4) * (8/2) as an example problem, solve the problems in the parentheses first. That leaves 3(1) * (4).Using the order of operation and solving for the problem the answer is 12. Use the first letter of each word and form a sentence to remember the order of operation. For example, please excuse my dear aunt sally is an example sentence to help the students remember the order of operation.
A fraction is any number that is less than a whole number. There are three types of fractions, a mixed fraction, a proper fraction and an improper fraction. A proper fraction is a fraction where the bottom number is larger than the top number. An improper fraction is a fraction where the top number is greater or equal to the bottom number. A mixed fraction is the combination of a whole number and proper fraction. To represent the fraction as a decimal, divide the top number by the bottom number.
The area of a figure is how much space the figure's surface takes up. Because all four sides of a square are equal, only one side's length is needed to calculate the area. The area of a square is l². A circle has two important parts, the radius and the diameter. The diameter of a circle is found by cutting a circle directly in half and measuring the length of the straight side. The radius is half the length of the diameter. The equation for a circle's area is 3.14*r². The number 3.14 is referred to as pi.
Oftentimes when students are solving distance problems, the problem requires a unit conversion. To measure distance, common measurement units are centimeters, miles, yards, inches, feet and meters. For example given the word problem, Juan walked 10 feet, then he walked 36 more inches, how many feet did he walk together. Before solving the problem, convert inches to feet. Because 12 inches equals 1 foot, 36 inches equals 3 feet. Solving the problem, Juan walked 13 feet.