Archive for the ‘Mathematics’ Category

"Let’s go back to the beginning." How many times have you heard this line come up in movies, novels, or even had it said to you? Most things in life usually have a beginning, a starting point, or an origin -- even math. One important principle is understanding how to find the origin of a […]

A decimal number is essentially a fraction that uses a point to separate the whole number part and the fractional part. The fractional parts are expressed as parts in tens, hundreds, thousands, etc. An example of a decimal number is 2.5, where 2 is the whole number, and 5 is the fractional part. The 5 after […]

Mathematics is like any other language. To work in it, you need to first understand a particular set of definitions and rules. That's why when faced with a phrase like "find the regular mean in geometry," step back and look at the language. In this case, we have three different words to interpret: regular, mean, […]

Integers include any whole number found on a number line. They also include any negative number that falls on a number line. Whole numbers are strictly positive. Integers do not include anything that is a fraction or decimal. For example: -4 is an integer. 0 is an integer. 5.3 is not an integer. It is worth noting that […]

An equation is like a sentence, just using a different language. Mathematical equations are telling you to do something, giving you information on how to respond, or come up with an answer. It's up to you to learn this language. However, once you know it, you can write in this language! You, too, can write […]

Algebra equations are all almost always solved by simplifying the equation first. To simplify means to make it easier to understand and solve by putting the equation in its simplest form. It requires a step by step process that is easy to follow and often straight forward. There are some common methods used to simplify […]

An imaginary number is essentially a complex number - or two numbers added together. The difference is that an imaginary number is the product of a real number, say b, and an imaginary number, j. The imaginary unit is defined as the square root of -1. Here's an example: sqrt(-1). So the square of the imaginary unit would […]

In mathematics, there are various metrics used to simplify or explain events or outcomes - especially those that involve changes or comparison. Some of these metrics include ratios, percentages, and percentage points. Ratios express the quantitative relationship between values by showing how many times one is contained in another. Percentages are similar to ratios, but they're […]

The mathematical study of calculus requires a deep understanding of a fundamental concept: derivatives. For some, the idea of derivatives in calculus comes naturally; it becomes an intriguing idea with countless applications to understanding the real world. For others, it’s merely a source of confusion or unnecessary stress. Due to their fundamental application to calculus, a […]

The mathematical term operator refers to the various symbols used in arithmetic and other branches of mathematics to represent a type of mathematic manipulation. This definition, however, does not capture all aspects of mathematics. The widespread use of operators in programming and physics makes the meaning behind "operator" too big to be described in a few sentences. Regardless, an operator in […]