■ Basic Mathematics

Reviewer & Quick Reference Guide

Topic Page

1. Number System & Operations 1

2. Fractions, Decimals & Percentages 1

3. Factors & Multiples 2

4. Algebra Basics 2

5. Geometry 3

6. Measurement & Unit Conversion 4

7. Statistics & Probability 4

8. Word Problem Strategies 5

1. Number System & Operations
Types of Numbers
Type Symbol Examples

Natural Numbers ■ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ...

Whole Numbers W 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ...

Integers ■ ... −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3 ...

Rational Numbers ■ 1/2, 0.75, −3, 4

Irrational Numbers — √2, π, e

Real Numbers ■ All rational & irrational numbers

Order of Operations — PEMDAS / BODMAS

Step Stands For Example

P/B Parentheses / Brackets (3 + 2) = 5

E/O Exponents / Orders 2³ = 8

M & D Multiply & Divide (left → right) 6÷2×3=9

A & S Add & Subtract (left → right) 5+3−2=6

Example: 3 + 6 × (5 + 4) ÷ 3 − 7
= 3 + 6 × 9 ÷ 3 − 7 → = 3 + 54 ÷ 3 − 7 → = 3 + 18 − 7 → = 14

2. Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

Key Formulas
Adding/Subtracting Fractions: a/b ± c/d = (ad ± bc) / bd
Multiplying Fractions: a/b × c/d = ac / bd
Dividing Fractions: a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c = ad / bc
Fraction → Decimal: Divide numerator by denominator
Decimal → Percent: Multiply by 100 (0.75 → 75%)
Percent → Decimal: Divide by 100 (45% → 0.45)
Percent of a Number: %/100 × Number (30% of 200 = 60)

★ Percent Change = [(New − Old) / Old] × 100

3. Factors & Multiples

Definitions
Factor: A number that divides another evenly. Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
Multiple: Result of multiplying a number by integers. Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16 ...
GCF (Greatest Common Factor): Largest factor shared by two numbers.
Example: GCF(12, 18) = 6
LCM (Least Common Multiple): Smallest multiple shared by two numbers.
Example: LCM(4, 6) = 12
Prime Numbers: Divisible only by 1 and itself. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29 ...

Divisibility Rules (quick checks):

Divisible by Rule Example

2 Last digit is even 134 ✓

3 Sum of digits divisible by 3 123 → 1+2+3=6 ✓

4 Last two digits divisible by 4 316 → 16÷4=4 ✓

5 Ends in 0 or 5 75 ✓

9 Sum of digits divisible by 9 729 → 7+2+9=18 ✓

10 Ends in 0 490 ✓
4. Algebra Basics
Key Vocabulary
Variable: A letter representing an unknown (x, y, n).
Expression: Numbers, variables, & operations with NO equal sign. e.g., 3x + 2
Equation: Two expressions set equal. e.g., 3x + 2 = 11
Coefficient: Number multiplied by a variable. In 5x, the coefficient is 5.

Solving Linear Equations (one variable)

1. Simplify both sides (distribute, combine like terms).
2. Move variable terms to one side using inverse operations.
3. Move constants to the other side.
4. Divide both sides by the coefficient of the variable.
5. Check: substitute your answer back into the original equation.
Example: 3x + 5 = 20 → 3x = 15 → x = 5

Useful Algebraic Identities

(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(a − b)2 = a2 − 2ab + b2
(a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2
Quadratic Formula: x = [−b ± √(b2−4ac)] / 2a

Exponent Rules
Rule Formula Example

Product am × an = am+n 23 × 24 = 27 = 128

Quotient am ÷ an = am−n 56 ÷ 52 = 54 = 625

Power of Power (am)n = amn (32)3 = 36 = 729

Zero Exponent a0 = 1 70 = 1

Negative Exponent a−n = 1/an 2−3 = 1/8

5. Geometry
Angles
Type Measure

Acute Less than 90°

Right Exactly 90°

 Obtuse Between 90° and 180°

Straight Exactly 180°

Reflex Between 180° and 360°

Perimeter, Area & Volume Formulas

Shape Perimeter Area / Volume

Square (side s) P = 4s A = s2

Rectangle (l × w) P = 2(l + w) A = lw

Triangle (a,b,c; base b,

P = a+b+c A = ½bh
h)

Circle (radius r) C = 2πr A = πr2

Trapezoid (b1, b2, h) P = sum of sides A = ½(b1+b2)h

Rectangular Prism SA = 2(lw+lh+wh) V = lwh

Cylinder (r, h) — V = πr2h

Cone (r, h) — V = ■πr2h

Sphere (r) — V = 4/3 πr3

Pythagorean Theorem (right triangles): a2 + b2 = c2 where c = hypotenuse

Common triples: (3,4,5) (5,12,13) (8,15,17) (7,24,25)
6. Measurement & Unit Conversion
Length Weight / Mass Volume

1 km = 1000 m 1 kg = 1000 g 1 L = 1000 mL

1 m = 100 cm 1 g = 1000 mg 1 gal ≈ 3.785 L

1 ft = 12 in 1 lb = 16 oz 1 cup = 8 fl oz

1 yd = 3 ft 1 kg ≈ 2.205 lb 1 pt = 2 cups

1 mi ≈ 1.609 km 1 ton = 2000 lb 1 qt = 2 pt

1 in = 2.54 cm 1 metric ton = 1000 kg 1 gal = 4 qt

Temperature Conversions
°C to °F: F = (C × 9/5) + 32
°F to °C: C = (F − 32) × 5/9
Key references: Freezing = 0°C / 32°F | Boiling = 100°C / 212°F | Body = 37°C / 98.6°F

7. Statistics & Probability

Measures of Central Tendency
Mean (Average) = Sum of all values ÷ Number of values
Example: {4, 7, 8, 9, 12} → Mean = (4+7+8+9+12)/5 = 40/5 = 8
Median = Middle value when data is sorted.
Odd count: middle item. Even count: average of two middle items.
Example: {3, 5, 7, 9, 11} → Median = 7
Mode = Value that appears most often (can be multiple or none).
Range = Maximum − Minimum

Basic Probability
P(event) = Number of favorable outcomes ÷ Total outcomes
Range: 0 ≤ P(event) ≤ 1 (0 = impossible, 1 = certain)
P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A and B)
P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B) [if A and B are independent]
P(not A) = 1 − P(A)
Example: A die is rolled. P(even) = 3/6 = 1/2 = 0.5 = 50%
8. Word Problem Strategies
R — Read carefully: Read the whole problem at least twice. Identify what is given and what is asked.
U — Understand the question: Underline key numbers, units, and the question itself.
P — Plan a strategy: Choose the right operation: + − × ÷ or a formula.
S — Solve: Write out your work step by step. Include units throughout.
E — Evaluate/Check: Does the answer make sense? Plug it back in or estimate to verify.

Common Keywords → Operations

Addition (+) Subtraction (−) Multiplication (×) Division (÷)

sum, total, difference, product, times, quotient, split,

more than, less than, of, doubled, divided by,
increased by, decreased by, per (sometimes), half, per,
plus, combined minus, remain at (rate) shared equally

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