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Basic Math Definitions

Some basic math's terms and symbols
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POWERS OF 10
As we have previously learned, a base number of 10
to the power of a number represents how many 0’s
are in that number I.E.

The index (or exponent) gives

100 =1
the number of zeros
101 = 10
102 = 100
103 = 1 000
104 = 10 000
105 = 100 000
106 = 1 000 000
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POWERS OF 10
And 10 to the power of a negative number indicates
numbers less than 1, this is known as
Scientific Notation
10-1 = = 0.1
-2
The negative sign in
10 = = 0.01 the index gives the
10-3 = = 0.001 inverse or reciprocal
10-4 = = 0.000 1 value (1/x) .

10-5 = = 0.000 01 1 or x-1

10-6 = = 0.000 001 x
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POWERS OF 10

Hence, multiplying a decimal by 10n moves the decimal

point n places to the right, and multiplying by 10-n moves
the decimal point n places to the left.

Example:

2  103 = 2000. = 2 EXP 3 (on calculator)

5.6  10-2 = 0.056 = 5.6 EXP -2 (on calculator)
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Working with POWERS OF 10

Multiplication - If you are multiplying two base numbers
with powers of 10 you can simply add the exponent
numbers together as well as multiplying the base
numbers together example:
𝟐 𝟑 𝟓
=8 (4 x 2 = 8) and (2 + 3 = 5)

Work out (without a calculator)

𝟓 𝟑
=

6
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Working with POWERS OF 10

Division - Likewise If you are dividing two base numbers
with powers of 10 you can simply subtract the exponent
numbers as well as dividing the base numbers together
example:
𝟑 𝟐 𝟏
= (4 2 = 2) and (3 - 2 = 1)

Work out (without a calculator)

𝟓 𝟑
=
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Working with POWERS OF 10

Powers – If you have a base number to the power
of 10 and it is raised to the power of another
number, multiply the powers together and treat
the base numbers separately, example:
𝟑 𝟐 𝟔 𝟐
=4 ( = 4) and (3 X 2 = 6)
𝟒 𝟐
Work out (without a calculator)

Do Question 2 on the revision sheet (without using a calculator)

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Engineering Notation
With engineering, we use a power of 10, where the
exponent is ALWAYS a multiple of + or – 3, this is known as
Engineering Notation.
On your calculator there is an
ENG button, this will display
your number in Engineering units.
Try It, enter the number in Blue and
press the ENG button
34,500,000 ENG = 34.5 x 106 or 34.5 EXP 6

0.000392 ENG = 392 x 10-6 or 392 EXP -6

Note: The proper usage of engineering notation has a base number

in the range of 1 - 999
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Engineering Notation
We then use this number to represent a prefix according to the table
below. Use this to complete Question 3 in the revision.
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Engineering Notation
Here are some examples

VALUE ENGINEERING PREFIX SYMBOL

NOTATION
1000 volts 1 x 103 V 1 kilovolt 1 kV
0.05 volts 50 x 10-3 V 50 millivolts 50 mV
0.0025 amperes 2.5 x 10-3 A 2.5 milliamps 2.5 mA
12.5 amperes 12.5 x 100 A 12.5 amperes 12.5 A
1200 ohms 1.2 x 103 Ω 1.2 kilohms 1.2 kΩ
150 ohms 150 x 100 Ω 150 ohms 150 Ω
1 500 000 ohms 1.5 x 106 Ω 1.5 megohms 1.5 MΩ

1 500 000 ohms 1.5 x 106 Ω 1.5 megohms 1M5 Ω

Note: Sometimes we replace the decimal point with the

prefix, do question 4 of the revision.
Any Questions???
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Logarithmic Scale
A logarithmic (log for short) scale is a way of displaying numerical
data over a very wide range of values in a compact way. Such a
scale is nonlinear, i.e. the numbers 10 and 20, and 60 and 70, are
not the same distance apart on a log scale. Rather, the numbers
10 and 100, and 60 and 600 are equally spaced. Thus, moving a
unit of distance along the scale means the number has been
multiplied by 10 (or some other base factor). Often exponential
growth curves are displayed on a log scale, otherwise they would
increase too quickly to fit within a small graph.

[Link]
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Logarithmic Scale
Another use for the logarithmic scale is to compare a number to
another or a fixed value in order to get a sense of scale. To do
this we use the log function, basically it is a glorified way of
saying how many 0’s are in the number. Also, it works with
numbers less than 1 by using a negative.
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Log Function and deciBels

When we compare two numbers to show scale, like two
power values, we divide one number by the other so it will
not have any units. In order to represent this, we use the
unit Bel. As this is usually not a convenient number to work
with, we use a scientific prefix Deci which means 1/10, so
the combined unit is called decibels or dB.
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Log Function and Power

Below is the formula we use to compare power.
Note: -3 dB is half power and 3 dB is double power.
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Log Function and Voltage

When using the log function to compare two voltages (or
currents) we must use a different formula. Why?

Where
dB = The Voltage ratio in decibels
Log = The Common logarithm
= Voltage Level 1 (Output)
= Voltage Level 2 (Input)
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Log Function and Voltage

This is because of the relationship between power, voltage

and current P = V x I and ohms law V = I x R. So, if you
double the voltage, you quadruple the power . Example:
10V x 10A = 100W (1Ω load)
But doubling the voltage also doubles the current so
20V x 20A = 400W (1Ω load)

So we need to double the 10x multiplier to reflect this!

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SI Units
The International System of Units (SI), abbreviated from the
French Système international (d'unités)) is the modern form
of the metric system.

It is the only system of

measurement with an
official status in nearly
every country in the
world. It comprises a
coherent system of units
of measurement starting
with seven base units.
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SI Units – Notes for Use

1. Capitals are only used for those symbols when the unit is named
after a person.
e.g. J is the symbol for joule, as it is named after J. P. Joule.
e.g. m is the symbol for metre which is not named after a person.

2. The symbols for units are not abbreviations and so should not be
followed by a full-stop, except when they occur at the end of a
sentence.

3. Division of units are written as m/s2 or m.s-2 .

4. For plural, add an “s” to the unit name but not to the symbol. e.g.
two metres but not 2ms - simply 2m.

5. Numbers, names and symbols should not be mixed when indicating

quantities. e.g. fifty kilometres or 50km not 50 kilometres or fifty
km
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SI Units – Base Units

Length ( l ) metre (m)
1 metre is the distance travelled by light in a vacuum in
1/299 792 458 of a second.
Mass (m) kilogram (kg)
1kg is the mass of a particular piece of platinum stored
under special conditions in the Bureau of Weights and
Measures in Paris.
Time (t) second (s)
1 second is the duration of 9 192 631 770 oscillations of a
Caesium -133 atom under specified conditions.
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SI Units – Base Units

Electric Current (I) ampere (A)
The flow of exactly 1/1.602176634×10−19 times
the elementary charge e per second. Equaling
approx. 6.2415090744×1018 elementary charges per
second.
Temperature (T) Kelvin (°K)
Absolute zero = 0°K = -273ºC (degree Celsius)
Ice = 273°K = 0ºC
Boiling point of water = 373°K = 100ºC
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SI Units – Base Units

Luminous Intensity (L) candela (cd)
1 candela is 1/60 of the light power emitted by 0.0001 m2
radiator at the temperature at which platinum solidifies.
Angle of rotation (α) radian (rad)
A radian is the angle between 2 radii of a circle which mark
off on the circumference an arc equal in length to the
radius of the circle .
1 radian ≈ 57.3º or 1 revolution (or cycle - 360º) = 2π radians
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SI Units – Derived Units

The7 base units are then used to derive many other SI Units

[Link]
Complete Question 1 of the Revision
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Algebra
In elementary algebra, those symbols (today written as
letters or Latin / Greek symbols) represent quantities
without fixed values, known as variables. Just as sentences
describe relationships between specific words, in algebra,
equations describe relationships between variables. Take the
following example:
A=X+Y
If we have multiple occurrences of the same variable we can
just add (or subtract if negative) the values together I.E.
A = 2X + 4X + 3Y – 5Y
then
A = 6X - 2Y
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Algebra
Note: If the variable has a power (or exponent) you can not
add these together I.E.

Also you can solve for the variable if you know the others I.E. if A = 10
and we know A = X + Y
Therefore ∴
X = 10 – Y or Y = 10 – X

By manipulating the formula, we have transposed it!

Do question 5 and 8 on the revision sheet.

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FORMULA TRANSPOSITION

Consider the following formula (or equation):

A C

B D
The letters A, B, C, and D are variables. We can rearrange
the variables to get an expression for one particular
variable if we know the values of the other 3 variables,
this is known as formula trans positioning.
Think of the equation like a set of
scales, what ever you do to one side
you must do to the other, so they
balance.
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Elimination Method

A C

B D
In order to be left with the variable you want you can use the following
to balance out the equation and eliminate what you don’t want.
1. To eliminate a Multiplication, you divide both sides and vice versa.
2. To eliminate an addition, you subtract from both sides and vice
versa.
3. To Eliminate a square, you square root both sides and vice versa.
4. To eliminate a log you use 10 on both sides and vice versa.
5. Variables in brackets must be not be treated as an individual.
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Elimination Method

A C

B D
Example, solve the above equation for D

1. Get rid of C by dividing both sides by C

2. Eliminate C

3. Flip both sides

to get D on top.
Note D/1 = D
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Dealing with Brackets

When brackets are used, if the variable you need is in the brackets you
must expand it out, otherwise you can treat the brackets as a whole.

A = B(C + D) A = BC + BD
So to work out for B For C or D you will need to
Simply treat the bracket expand the bracket out,
as a whole then solve as per normal

B = __A__
(C + D) C = (A – BD)
B
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Cross Multiplication Shortcut

A C

B D
The variable can be moved along the lines shown above.
This means that if a variable starts on the top, when it is
moved, it moves to the bottom on the other side of the
equation.
If a variable starts on the bottom, when it is moved, it
moves to the top on the other side of the equation.
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If P = I2 x R, find

Find R Divide both sides by I2

Find I Divide both sides by R

hence then

P Square root all of the right side

I
R
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2
If 
R
find

E= Move R Across
hence E  PR

R= Swap R and P

Do question 5b on the revision sheet

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Trigonometry Terms
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Trigonometry Terms
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Working with Triangles

Pythagorean theorem
The sides of a right angle triangle have a mathematical
relationship where
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
(A) + (B)
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
Or simply put +
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Working with Triangles

When working with right angle triangles you should
remember SOHCAHTOA. This helps you remember which
function to use in order to calculate the value you want.

Note θ (Theta) is a Greek symbol that represents the angle

Do question 6 of the revision.

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Working with Triangles

When working with triangles that aren’t right angle you
can’t use SOHCAHTOA. Using the Law of Sines will help you
calculate the value you are wanting, in this course we will
not need this.
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Vectors
Where do we use vectors?
When dealing with AC signals that pass-through
components that have reactance such as capacitors or
inductors, the voltage and currents will go out of
phase. In order to represent this graphically this we
use vectors for peak or (Phasors for RMS values)
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Polar to Rectangular Conversion

Polar notation denotes a complex number in terms of
its vector’s length and angular direction from the
starting point
Rectangular notation denotes a complex number in
terms of its horizontal and vertical dimensions.
Scenario – We want to travel from
Perth to Scarborough and have two
options. Using rectangular co-ordinates
we travel West for 10km then turn right
90° and travel North for 8km.
Using polar co-ordinates, we determine the
direction represented by the angle θ, and
distance, represented by the hypotenuse.
Both of these methods will get us to the same spot.
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Vector / Phasor Addition

In order to add Vectors or Phasors, you must first
convert them to their rectangular (X and Y) form, then
add the X components and the Y components then
convert back to polar form. Example: + 90
0

Y axis = sin
Blue phase 0
120

Blue phase current

X axis = cos Red phase

0
0
X = 18.36 + (-34.2) + (-0.85)
= -16.69 Red phase current

White phase current

Y = (-12.11) + (-14.09) + 26.99

Whit e phase
= 0.79
0
240

Pol ( -16.69 , 0.79 ) - 900

= 16.69 ∠ 0.79 °
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Understanding Graphs
When working with graphs, it is a simple matter of plotting
the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) co-ordinates then joining
them with a line so as other points can be read.
So if X = 2.5, what is Y ? 3.75
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Understanding Graphs
When working with a graphs with multiple plots you can
easily see where the intersection points are. In this case it is
2 and 4, this saves us trying to work it out mathematically.

Do Question 7 of the revision sheet.