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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…]
Identifying Prime Numbers
A prime number is a whole number larger than the number 1 that can be divided evenly only by itself and 1. The first and smallest prime number is the number 2. It’s the only even prime number. All primes [more…]
How to Write Prime Factorization of Composite Numbers
Prime factorization shows you the only way a number can be factored. The process of prime factorization breaks down a composite number into the prime numbers that, when multiplied together, give you that [more…]
How to Reduce Fractions Using Prime Factorization
You can use prime factorization to reduce fractions. Start with numbers only and then add variables (letters that represent any real number) to the mix. The beauty of using the prime factorization method [more…]
How to Perform Distribution in Algebra
Distributing items is an act of spreading them out equally. Algebraic distribution means to multiply each of the terms within the parentheses by another term that is outside the parentheses. To distribute [more…]
How to Distribute Positive and Negative Numbers
When performing distribution, be aware of the sign being distributed and how that sign affects each term. Distributing a positive sign makes no difference in the signs of the terms — the signs stay the [more…]
Combining Square Roots
Square roots, which use the radical symbol, are nonbinary operations — operations which involve just one number — that ask you, “What number times itself gives you this number under the radical?” Finding [more…]
Formulas You Need to Know for Calculus
When 'studying calculus, you should have a good understanding of the following tables of formulas so you can efficiently and correctly solve calculus problems: [more…]
Calculus For Dummies Cheat Sheet
Calculus requires knowledge of other math disciplines. To make studying and working out problems in calculus easier, make sure you know basic formulas for geometry, trigonometry, integral calculus, and [more…]
Basics of Positive and Negative Numbers
Positive and negative numbers are all integers. Integers are whole numbers that are either greater than zero (positive) or less than zero (negative). For every positive integer, there's a negative integer [more…]
How to Use Opposite Operations
When solving an equation in algebra, you will often use an opposite operation such as additive inverse or multiplicative inverse (reciprocal) to work your way toward the answer. You have to undo operations [more…]
How to Subtract Fractions
You can subtract proper fractions that have different denominators — such as thirds and sixths — if you find the common denominator first. The biggest step in subtracting proper fractions is finding the [more…]
How to Compare Numbers by Using Exponents
You can compare number values more easily when you use exponents, because numbers — especially large ones — can be deceiving. To discover the real value of a large number, write it as a number between [more…]
How to Solve Problems Using Exponential Expressions
Using exponential expressions to solve problems that involve repeated actions is the best way to find the answer. Exponential expressions help you figure out problems that do the same thing over and over [more…]
How to Raise Powers of Powers
When raising a power to a power in an exponential expression, you find the new power by multiplying the two powers together. For example, in the following expression, x to the power of 3 is being raised [more…]
Working with Negative Exponents
Negative exponents are a way of writing powers of fractions or decimals without using a fraction or decimal. You use negative exponents as a way to combine expressions with the same base, whether the different [more…]
When to Distribute or Add First in Algebraic Distribution
When performing algebraic distribution, you get the same answer whether you distribute first or add what’s within the parentheses first. Deciding to distribute or add is a judgment call, based on the following [more…]
How to Distribute Negative Signs with Variables
When you use negative signs and multiple variables in algebraic equations, the problems can look scary. Don’t worry, though. All you need to do is distribute the negative sign through, changing the signs [more…]
How to Simplify Negative Exponents with Variables
Distributing with negative exponents means that you'll have fractional answers. A base that has a negative exponent can be changed to a fraction. The base and the exponent become the denominator, but the [more…]
How to Distribute Trinomials
A trinomial, a polynomial with three terms, can be distributed over another expression. Each term in the first factor is distributed separately over the second factor, and then the entire expression is [more…]
Understanding Basic Algebra Vocabulary
Knowing basic algebra vocabulary can help you translate key algebra words into algebra problems. By knowing the definitions of algebra vocabulary in this list, you will be able to construct and solve algebra [more…]
How to Distribute a Polynomial
Distributing a polynomial isn't hard. When distributing a polynomial over any number of other terms, you distribute each term in the first factor over all of the terms in the second factor. When the distribution [more…]
How to Distribute with Fractional Powers or Radicals
Distribution problems with fractional powers or radicals aren't as intimidating as they look. When distributing with fractional powers or radicals, remember that exponents that are fractions work the same [more…]
How to Distribute Binomials
When you distribute in algebra, you multiply each of the terms within the parentheses by another term that is outside the parentheses. So, when you distribute a binomial over several terms, you just apply [more…]
How to Recognize a Perfectly Squared Binomial
Recognizing a perfectly squared binomial can make life easier. When you recognize a perfectly squared binomial, you've identified a shortcut that saves time when distributing binomials over other terms [more…]
Finding the Sum and Difference of the Same Two Terms
When distributing binomials over other terms, knowing how to find the sum and difference of the same two terms is a handy shortcut. The sum of any two terms multiplied by the difference of the same two [more…]
