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Algebra
How to Add and Subtract Fractions in Algebra (Video)
In algebra, adding and subtracting fractions is easy when you find the common denominator. This video shows you how to convert fractions for the common denominator. After you determine the common denominator, you can add and subtract fractions, including story problems, with ease. [more…]
Calculus
How to Find the Volume of a Solid with a Circular Cross-Section (Video)
Calculus allows you to calculate the volume of conical objects by dividing the object into an infinite number of circular cross-sections - geometrical shapes resembling pancakes or washers - and adding up the volume of all those cross-sections through integration. This video tutorial shows you how. [more…]
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Geometry
Mastering the Formal Geometry Proof
Suppose you need to solve a crime mystery. You survey the crime scene, gather the facts, and write them down in your memo pad. To solve the crime, you take the known facts and, step by step, show who committed [more…]
Geometry
Sizing Up the Area of a Polygon
Not only can polygons be classified by the number of sides they have and by their angles, but they can also be grouped according to some of their qualities. Polygons can have three personality characteristics [more…]
Geometry
Simple and Easy Geometry Tips and Tools
The first rule of life? Life (as well as geometry) can be difficult. But why make it more difficult than it has to be? Do you need help with geometry? Here are 11 tried-and-true tips to make your forays [more…]
Geometry
Measuring and Making Angles
On a map, you trace your route and come to a fork in the road. Two diverging roads split from a common point and form an angle. The point at which the roads diverge is the [more…]
Geometry
Classifying Three Types of Triangles
Triangles are classified according to the length of their sides or the measure of their angles. These classifications come in threes, just like the sides and angles themselves. That is, a triangle has [more…]
How to Change Fractions to Decimals
Converting fractions to decimals isn’t difficult, but to do it, you need to know about decimal division. You also need to know how to deal with terminating and repeating decimals in your answer. Here are [more…]
Use the Percent Circle to Solve Percent Problems
The percent circle is a simple visual aid that helps you make sense of percent problems so that you can solve them easily. The three main types of percent problems are finding the ending number, finding [more…]
Find a Starting Amount from a Final Amount
Some math word problems give you the amount that you end up with and ask you to find out how much you started with. These problems can be difficult if you’re not used to thinking backwards. Here’s an example [more…]
How to Convert Metric Units of Measurement
If you want to convert from English to metric units or from metric to English units, there is a simple way to do this that uses only one formula for each type of conversion. [more…]
How to Recognize a Polyhedron
A polyhedron is the three-dimensional equivalent of a polygon, which is a shape that has only straight sides. Similarly, a polyhedron is a solid that has only straight edges and flat faces [more…]
How to Measure in Three Dimensions
Measuring in three dimensions is similar to measuring in two dimensions; however, in 3-D, the boundary of a solid is called its surface area (not its perimeter) [more…]
Compare Numbers Using a Bar Graph
A bar graph gives you an easy way to compare numbers or values. For example, the following figure shows a bar graph comparing the performance of five trainers at a fitness center. [more…]
Use a Pie Chart to Find Percentages and Amounts
A pie chart, which looks like a divided circle, shows you how a whole object is cut up into parts. Pie charts are most often used to represent percentages. For example, the following figure is a pie chart [more…]
Plot Numbers Using a Line Graph
The most common use of a line graph is to plot how numbers change over time. For example, the following figure is a line graph showing last year’s sales figures for Tami’s Interiors. [more…]
Plot Cartesian Coordinate Points on a Cartesian Graph
When math folks talk about using a graph, they’re usually referring to a Cartesian graph (also called the Cartesian coordinate system). The below figure shows an example of a Cartesian graph. [more…]
How to Solve Problems with a Cartesian Graph
You can use a Cartesian graph to solve certain types of math problems. When you draw two lines that represent different parts of a word problem, the point at which the lines intersect [more…]
How to Solve a Geometry Word Problem
In order to solve a geometry word problem, you need to read the problem carefully, recognize shapes in the drawing, pay attention to labels, and use whatever formulas you have to help you answer the question [more…]
How to Determine Probable Outcomes with Coins and Dice
Although the basic probability formula isn’t difficult, sometimes finding the numbers to plug into it can be tricky. One source of confusion is in counting the number of outcomes, both favorable and possible [more…]
How to Draw Lines on a Cartesian Graph
By plotting points on a Cartesian graph, you can draw lines between these points and use them to show mathematical relationships. The following examples focus on the number of dollars that two people, [more…]
How to Use the Metric System
The metric system provides units of measurement for distance, volume, mass, time, and temperature. It builds these units using a basic unit and a set of [more…]
How to Subtract Mixed Numbers
Whether mixed numbers have the same denominators or different denominators, subtracting them is a lot like subtracting whole numbers: you stack them up one on top of the other, draw a line, and subtract [more…]
What Is the Binomial Theorem?
A binomial is a mathematical expression that has two terms. In algebra, people frequently raise binomials to powers to complete computations. The Binomial Theorem says that if [more…]
Rewrite an Absolute Value Equation as a Linear Equation
To work with an absolute value equation, you first need to rewrite it as a linear equation. The same goes for an absolute value inequality, which you rewrite as a linear inequality. [more…]
Use the Properties of Proportions to Simplify Fractions
The properties of proportions come in useful when solving equations involving fractions. When you can, change an equation with fractions in it to a proportion for ease in solving. [more…]
Formulas to Find the Slope, Slope-Intercept, Distance, and Midpoint
When you’re working with the x-y coordinate system, you can use the following formulas to find the slope, slope intercept, distance, and midpoint between two points. [more…]
Raise Binomials to a Power
A binomial is a mathematical expression that has two terms. In algebra, people frequently raise binomials to powers in order to solve equations. Here are some examples: [more…]
Algebra II Workbook For Dummies Cheat Sheet
Learning some algebraic rules for various exponents, radicals, laws, binomials, formulas, and equations will help you successfully study and solve problems in an Algebra II course. You should also be able [more…]
How to Find a Function's Derivative by Using the Chain Rule
The chain rule is by far the trickiest derivative rule, but it’s not really that bad if you carefully focus on a few important points. [more…]
How the Area Function Works
The area function is a bit weird. Brace yourself. Say you’ve got any old function, f(t). Imagine that at some t-value, call it s, you draw a fixed vertical line. [more…]
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: What It Is and How It Works
There are some who say that the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus is one of the most important theorems in the history of mathematics. Here it is: [more…]
