Chapter 1: Number

Worked Examples for Every Topic

IGCSE & O Level Mathematics | Grade 9–10

"Think like the examiner. Spot every trap. Ace every question."
 Types of Number
1.1 Natural · Integer · Prime · Square · Cube · Factors · Multiples · Rational · Irrational ·
Reciprocal

✏️ Classify these numbers: -3, 0, 7, 1/2, √2, 4

Natural numbers: 7, 4 (positive whole numbers, NOT zero)
Integers: -3, 0, 7, 4 (whole numbers including negatives and zero)
Prime number: 7 (divisible only by 1 and itself)
Square number: 4 (because 2² = 4)
Rational: -3, 0, 7, 1/2, 4 (can be written as p/q where q ≠ 0)
Irrational: √2 (non-terminating, non-repeating decimal)

✏️ Find common factors and LCM of 12 and 18

Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
Factors of 18: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18
Common factors: 1, 2, 3, 6 → HCF = 6
Multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, 48 ...
Multiples of 18: 18, 36, 54 ...
LCM: 36

✏️ Find the reciprocal of 3/4 and of 5

Reciprocal of 3/4: Flip it → 4/3
Reciprocal of 5: Write as 5/1, flip → 1/5
Check: 3/4 × 4/3 = 1 ✓

Examiner Trap
Is 1 a prime number? NO — by definition, primes have exactly 2 distinct factors (1 and itself). 1
has only one factor. Examiners love this trap!

Powers and Roots

1.2 Squares · Square roots · Cubes · Cube roots · Other powers

✏️ Calculate: 5³, ∛125, √169, 2⁵

5³: 5 × 5 × 5 = 125
∛125: ? × ? × ? = 125 → 5
√169: 13 (since 13² = 169)
2⁵: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 32

✏️ Without a calculator, find √(0.0049)

Step 1: Write as fraction: √(49/10000)
 Step 2: √49 / √10000 = 7/100
Answer: 0.07

⚠️ Negative Square Roots

√9 = 3 only (positive root). But x² = 9 gives x = ±3. Know which context you're in!

💡 Detective Sam's Tip

For cube roots of negatives: ∛(-8) = -2. Cube roots CAN be negative — unlike square roots!

Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

1.3 Proper · Improper · Mixed · Decimals · Percentages · Conversions

✏️ Convert 13/4 between all three forms

Improper fraction: 13/4 (numerator > denominator)
Mixed number: 13 ÷ 4 = 3 remainder 1 → 3¼
Decimal: 13 ÷ 4 = 3.25
Percentage: 3.25 × 100 = 325%

✏️ Convert 0.36 to a fraction in simplest form

Step 1: 0.36 = 36/100
Step 2: HCF of 36 and 100 = 4
Step 3: 36/100 ÷ 4/4 = 9/25

✏️ Convert 0.̄3̄6̄ (0.363636...) to a fraction

Let x = 0.363636...
100x = 36.363636...
100x − x = 36 → 99x = 36
x = 36/99 = 4/11

Examiner Trap
Don't confuse 0.3̄ (= 1/3) with 0.3 (= 3/10). The dot above the digit means it repeats forever!

Ordering
1.4 Symbols: =, ≠, >, <, ⩾, ⩽

✏️ Order from smallest to largest: 3/5, 0.62, 58%, 7/12

Convert all to decimals:
3/5 = 0.600
 0.62 = 0.620
58% = 0.580
7/12 = 0.5833...
Order: 58% < 7/12 < 3/5 < 0.62

✏️ Insert the correct symbol: −7 ☐ −3

On the number line: -7 is further left than -3
So: -7 < -3

Examiner Trap
Negative numbers: -7 < -3 is TRUE (not -7 > -3). The bigger the negative number, the smaller
its value. A common exam slip!

The Four Operations

1.5 Integer & fraction arithmetic · BODMAS order of operations

✏️ Calculate: 3/4 + 2/5 and 3/4 ÷ 2/5

Addition — LCM of 4 & 5 = 20:
3/4 = 15/20 2/5 = 8/20
15/20 + 8/20 = 23/20 = 1 3/20
Division — multiply by reciprocal:
3/4 ÷ 2/5 = 3/4 × 5/2 = 15/8 = 1 7/8

✏️ Evaluate: 4 + 3 × (8 − 5)² ÷ 9
B: Brackets first: 8 − 5 = 3
O: Order (power): 3² = 9
D: Division: 3 × 9 ÷ 9 = 3 × 1 = 3
A: Addition: 4 + 3 = 7
Answer: 7

⚠️ BODMAS Reminder
Brackets → Orders → Division/Multiplication (left to right) → Addition/Subtraction (left to right).
Division and multiplication have EQUAL priority!

Indices I
1.6 Positive · Zero · Negative · Fractional indices · Laws of indices

✏️ Simplify: x³ × x⁴, x⁶ ÷ x², (x³)⁴

 x³ × x⁴ = x^(3+4) = x⁷
x⁶ ÷ x² = x^(6−2) = x⁴
(x³)⁴ = x^(3×4) = x¹²

✏️ Evaluate without a calculator: 8^(2/3), 27^(−1/3), 5 ⁰

8^(2/3): = (∛8)² = 2² = 4
27^(−1/3): = 1/(∛27) = 1/3
5⁰: = 1 (anything to the power 0 is 1)

💡 Detective Sam's Tip

For x^(m/n): the denominator is the root, the numerator is the power. ∛ first, then square — it
keeps numbers smaller and easier!

Examiner Trap
x^0 = 1 for ANY non-zero x. Even 1000000^0 = 1. But 0^0 is undefined — examiners
sometimes test this boundary!

Standard Form
1.7 A × 10ⁿ where 1 ⩽ A < 10

✏️ Convert: 0.000473 and 6,250,000 to standard form

0.000473: Move decimal 4 places right → 4.73 × 10⁻⁴
6,250,000: Move decimal 6 places left → 6.25 × 10⁶

✏️ Calculate: (3.2 × 10⁵) × (4 × 10⁻²)

Multiply coefficients: 3.2 × 4 = 12.8
Add powers: 10^(5 + (−2)) = 10³
Combine: 12.8 × 10³
Re-adjust (A must be < 10): 1.28 × 10⁴

Examiner Trap
After multiplying in standard form, always check 1 ⩽ A < 10. If A = 12.8, rewrite as 1.28 ×
10^(n+1). Easy mark lost if you forget!

Estimation
1.8 Rounding · Significant figures · Estimation in context

✏️ Round 0.007463 to: (a) 2 d.p. (b) 2 s.f.

 (a) 2 d.p.: Look at 3rd decimal: 4 < 5, round down → 0.01
Wait — 2 d.p.: 0.00|7 — the 7 is in the 3rd decimal place. 2 d.p. gives 0.01
Correct (a): 0.0075 rounded to 2 d.p. = 0.01
(b) 2 s.f.: First sig. fig. is 7 (ignore leading zeros). 2nd s.f. is 4.
Look at 3rd s.f.: 6 ≥ 5, round up → 0.0075

✏️ Estimate: 4.87 × 19.6 ÷ 0.48

Round each number: ≈ 5 × 20 ÷ 0.5
= 100 ÷ 0.5 = 200
Actual answer: 198.5... ✓ Good estimate!

⚠️ Significant Figures vs Decimal Places

Leading zeros are NEVER significant. 0.0074 has 2 significant figures (7 and 4), not 4!

Limits of Accuracy
1.9 Upper & lower bounds · Propagating errors in calculations

✏️ A length is measured as 8.4 cm to 1 d.p. Find the bounds.

Lower bound: 8.4 − 0.05 = 8.35 cm
Upper bound: 8.4 + 0.05 = 8.45 cm
So: 8.35 ⩽ length < 8.45
Note: Upper bound is NOT included (< not ⩽)

✏️ Rectangle: length 8.4 cm, width 3.2 cm (both to 1 d.p.). Find upper bound of area.
Upper bounds: L = 8.45, W = 3.25
Max area: 8.45 × 3.25 = 27.4625 cm²

💡 Detective Sam's Tip

For MAXIMUM of a product, use MAX × MAX. For MINIMUM of a quotient (like speed = d/t),
use MIN distance ÷ MAX time.

Examiner Trap
Upper bound is always LESS THAN (strict inequality). 8.45 cm is not actually reached — any
value from 8.44999... up to but not including 8.45 rounds to 8.4.

Ratio and Proportion

1.10 Simplest form · Dividing in a ratio · Proportional reasoning
✏️ Share $360 between Amara and Ben in the ratio 5:4
Total parts: 5 + 4 = 9
Value per part: $360 ÷ 9 = $40
Amara: 5 × $40 = $200
Ben: 4 × $40 = $160
Check: $200 + $160 = $360 ✓

✏️ A recipe for 6 uses 450 g of flour. How much for 10?

Method — unitary: 450 ÷ 6 = 75 g per person
For 10: 75 × 10 = 750 g

✏️ Simplify the ratio 1.5 : 2.4

Multiply both by 10: 15 : 24
Divide by HCF (3): 5 : 8

Examiner Trap
When simplifying ratios with decimals or fractions, clear the decimals FIRST by multiplying —
don't try to simplify 1.5:2.4 directly!

Rates
1.11 Common rates · Speed, distance, time

✏️ A car travels 240 km in 3 hours. Find average speed.

Speed = Distance ÷ Time = 240 ÷ 3 = 80 km/h

✏️ Train travels at 90 km/h. How long for 135 km?

Time = Distance ÷ Speed = 135 ÷ 90 = 1.5 hours = 1 h 30 min

✏️ A tap fills at 12 litres/min. How long to fill 540 litres?

Time = 540 ÷ 12 = 45 minutes

⚠️ Time Conversion Trap

1.5 hours ≠ 1 h 50 min. It means 1 h 30 min. Always convert decimal hours to minutes by
multiplying the decimal part by 60.

Percentages
1.12 % of quantity · % change · Compound interest · Reverse %
✏️ A jacket costs $80, discounted by 15%. Find sale price.
Method — multiplier: 100% − 15% = 85% → multiply by 0.85
$80 × 0.85 = $68

✏️ Compound interest: $2000 at 3% per year for 4 years

Amount = 2000 × (1.03)⁴
= 2000 × 1.12550881
= $2251.02 (to nearest cent)

✏️ After a 20% increase, a price is $144. What was original?

$144 represents: 120% of original
Original = $144 ÷ 1.20 = $120

Examiner Trap
Reverse percentage: NEVER subtract 20% from $144 to get original! That gives $115.20 —
wrong. Always divide by the multiplier.

Using a Calculator
1.13 Efficient entry · Reading the display · Common pitfalls

✏️ Use a calculator to find: (3.7² + √14.4) ÷ (2.1 × 1.8)

Numerator: 3.7² + √14.4 = 13.69 + 3.7947... = 17.4847...
Denominator: 2.1 × 1.8 = 3.78
Full expression: 17.4847... ÷ 3.78 = 4.625... ≈ 4.63 (3 s.f.)
Key tip: Use brackets on calculator: (3.7² + √14.4) ÷ (2.1 × 1.8)

💡 Detective Sam's Tip

Always use brackets for fractions on a calculator. Entering 3.7² + √14.4 ÷ 2.1 × 1.8 without
brackets gives the WRONG answer due to order of operations!

⚠️ Display Trap
A calculator showing 3.142857... is NOT showing π. It might be 22/7. Always check whether an
exact or approximate answer is needed.

Time
1.14 Conversions · 12-hour / 24-hour clock · Timetables

✏️ A bus departs at 09:45 and arrives at 12:20. Journey time?

 09:45 to 12:00: 2 hours 15 minutes
12:00 to 12:20: 20 minutes
Total: 2 hours 35 minutes

✏️ Convert: (a) 3.25 hours to hours & minutes (b) 2h 48min to hours
(a) 3.25 h: 0.25 × 60 = 15 min → 3 h 15 min
(b) 2 h 48 min: 48/60 = 0.8 → 2.8 hours

Examiner Trap
NEVER add times like decimals! 1 h 45 min + 1 h 30 min ≠ 2.75 h (even though 1.45 + 1.30 =
2.75). Convert to minutes first: 105 + 90 = 195 min = 3 h 15 min.

Money
1.15 Currency calculations · Conversions

✏️ £1 = $1.28. Convert (a) £350 to $ (b) $500 to £

(a) £350 to $: 350 × 1.28 = $448
(b) $500 to £: 500 ÷ 1.28 = £390.625 ≈ £390.63

✏️ Best buy: 400g for $2.80 or 650g for $4.55?

Price per gram (400g): $2.80 ÷ 400 = $0.007/g
Price per gram (650g): $4.55 ÷ 650 = $0.007/g
Conclusion: Exactly the same value!

💡 Detective Sam's Tip

Always compare using the same unit (price per gram, or grams per dollar). Don't just compare
total prices — bigger pack isn't always better value!

Exponential Growth & Decay

1.16 Population growth · Radioactive decay · Depreciation

✏️ A car worth $15,000 depreciates at 12% per year. Value after 5 years?
Multiplier: 100% − 12% = 88% → 0.88
Value = 15000 × (0.88)⁵
= 15000 × 0.52773...
= $7916 (nearest dollar)

✏️ A bacteria colony starts at 500 and doubles every 3 hours. Count after 12 hours?
 Number of doublings: 12 ÷ 3 = 4
Count = 500 × 2⁴ = 500 × 16 = 8000

⚠️ Growth vs Decay
Growth multiplier > 1 (e.g. 1.05 for 5% growth). Decay multiplier < 1 (e.g. 0.88 for 12% decay).
Never subtract — always multiply!

Surds
1.17 Simplifying · Manipulation · Rationalising the denominator

✏️ Simplify: √72
Find largest square factor: 72 = 36 × 2
√72 = √(36 × 2) = √36 × √2 = 6√2

✏️ Expand and simplify: (3 + √5)(3 − √5)

Difference of two squares: (a+b)(a−b) = a² − b²
= 3² − (√5)² = 9 − 5 = 4

✏️ Rationalise the denominator: 6 ÷ (2 + √3)

Multiply numerator & denominator by conjugate (2 − √3):
= 6(2 − √3) / [(2 + √3)(2 − √3)]
= 6(2 − √3) / (4 − 3)
= 6(2 − √3) / 1 = 12 − 6√3

Examiner Trap
(√5)² = 5, NOT √25. And √a × √b = √(ab), but √a + √b ≠ √(a+b). These are the two most
common surd errors in exams!

💡 Detective Sam's Tip

To rationalise with a + √b in the denominator, always multiply by the conjugate a − √b. This
uses the difference of two squares to eliminate the surd.