Articles & Books From Pre-Algebra

Article / Updated 09-13-2023
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 representing Eileen’s monthly expenses.You can tell at a glance that Eileen’s largest expense is rent and that her second largest is her car.
Article / Updated 04-04-2023
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 (that is, faces that are polygons).The most common polyhedron is the cube. As you can see, a cube has 6 flat faces that are polygons — in this case, all of the faces are square — and 12 straight edges.
Article / Updated 10-24-2022
The distinction between numbers and numerals is subtle but important. A number is an idea that expresses how much or how many. A numeral is a written symbol that expresses a number. Here are ten ways to represent numbers that differ from the Hindu-Arabic (decimal) system. Tally marks Numbers are abstractions that stand for real things.
Article / Updated 09-27-2022
To multiply two decimals, don’t worry about lining up the decimal points. In fact, to start out, ignore the decimal points. Here’s how the multiplication works: Perform the multiplication just as you would for whole numbers. When you’re done, count the number of digits to the right of the decimal point in each factor and add the results.
Basic Math & Pre-Algebra All-in-One For Dummies (+ Chapter Quizzes Online)
Absolutely everything you need to get ready for Algebra Scared of square roots? Suspicious of powers of ten? You’re not alone. Plenty of school-age students and adult learners don’t care for math. But, with the right guide, you can make math basics “click” for you too! In Basic Math & Pre-Algebra All-in-One For Dummies, you’ll find everything you need to be successful in your next math class and tackle basic math tasks in the real world.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-17-2022
Following are nine little math demons that plague all sorts of otherwise smart, capable folks like you. The good news is that they’re not as big and scary as you may think, and they can be dispelled more easily than you may have dared believe.Know the multiplication tableA sketchy knowledge of multiplication can really hold back an otherwise good math student.
Article / Updated 03-15-2022
When the fractions that you want to add have different denominators, there are a few different ways you can do it. Add fractions the easy way At some point in your life, some teacher somewhere told you these golden words of wisdom: “You can’t add two fractions with different denominators.” Your teacher was wrong!
Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-24-2022
To successfully study pre-algebra, understand that a specific order of operations needs to be applied. Also recognize some basic math principles, such as the ability to recognize and understand mathematical inequalities, place value, absolute value, and negation.Mathematical order of operationsThe rules for deciding the order to evaluate arithmetic expressions, no matter how complex, are called the order of operations.
Article / Updated 07-13-2021
Even if fractions look different, they can actually represent the same amount; in other words, one of the fractions will have reduced terms compared to the other. You may need to reduce the terms of fractions to work with them in an equation.Reducing fractions to their lowest terms involves division. But because you can’t always divide, reducing takes some finesse.
Article / Updated 07-13-2021
The volume of an object is how much space the object takes up — or, if you were to drop the object into a full tub of water, how much water would overflow. Capacity is how much space an object has inside — or, how much water you can fit inside the object.This distinction between volume and capacity is subtle — you can measure both in cm3, although confusingly you can also measure capacity in milliliters, each of which is the same size as 1 cm3.