Basic Operations
Basic operations involve four primary arithmetic processes: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division. These operations apply to whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 235 + 409
A: Add the digits from right to left: 235 + 409 = 644
Q: 12.4 × 3.2
A: Ignore decimals: 124 × 32 = 3968. Adjust for 2 decimal places: 39.68
Q: 5/8 + 3/4
A: Convert to same denominator: 5/8 + 6/8 = 11/8 = 1 3/8
PEMDAS / PEMBAS
PEMDAS defines the order in which operations should be carried out: Parentheses, Exponents,
Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 8 + 2 × (5² - 3)
A: 5² = 25 → (25 - 3) = 22 → 2 × 22 = 44 → 8 + 44 = 52
Q: (6 + 3) ÷ 3 + 2²
A: 6 + 3 = 9 → 9 ÷ 3 = 3 → 2² = 4 → 3 + 4 = 7
Integers
Integers include all positive and negative whole numbers. The rules for addition and multiplication of
integers determine how to combine them.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: -5 + 8
A: -5 + 8 = 3 (since 8 is greater in absolute value)
Q: (-3) × (-4)
A: Negative × Negative = Positive → 12
Q: -10 ÷ 2
A: Negative ÷ Positive = Negative → -5
Exponents
Exponents show repeated multiplication. For example, 3³ means 3 × 3 × 3.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 3³
A: 3 × 3 = 9 → 9 × 3 = 27
Q: 2■
A: 2 × 2 = 4 → ×2 = 8 → ×2 = 16 → ×2 = 32
LCM & GCF
LCM is the least common multiple, and GCF is the greatest common factor of two numbers.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: LCM of 6 and 8
A: Multiples: 6, 12, 18...; 8, 16, 24... → Common: 24
Q: GCF of 18 and 24
A: Factors: 18 = 1,2,3,6,9,18; 24 = 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,24 → Common: 6
Square Roots
A square root of a number is a value that produces the number when multiplied by itself.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: √81
A: Since 9 × 9 = 81 → √81 = 9
Q: √144
A: 12 × 12 = 144 → √144 = 12
Decimals to Percentages
To convert decimals to percentages, multiply by 100 and add the percent symbol.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 0.25
A: 0.25 × 100 = 25%
Q: 0.075
A: 0.075 × 100 = 7.5%
Percentage Operations
Percent problems involve finding a percentage of a number, percent change, or comparing values.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 20% of 450
A: 450 × 0.20 = 90
Q: Increase 120 by 15%
A: 120 × 0.15 = 18 → 120 + 18 = 138
Q: 480 is what percent of 600
A: 480 ÷ 600 = 0.8 → 0.8 × 100 = 80%
Numerical Sequences
Numerical sequences follow a pattern. Find the rule to predict the next term.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 2, 4, 8, 16, ?
A: Pattern ×2: next is 32
Q: 10, 8, 6, 4, ?
A: Pattern -2: next is 2
Equation Construction
Translate real-world situations into equations to solve for unknowns.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: Five more than twice a number is 21
A: 2x + 5 = 21 → 2x = 16 → x = 8
Q: Sum of a number and 12 is 30
A: x + 12 = 30 → x = 18
Mixtures
Mixture problems involve combining different solutions with concentrations to find the final mix.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 2 cups of 30% + 3 cups of 50%
A: Total = 5 cups; (2×30 + 3×50)/5 = (60+150)/5 = 42%
Q: 1L of 40% + 2L of 20%
A: Total = 3L; (40 + 40)/3 = 26.67%
Interest and Discounts
Simple Interest: I = P × r × t; Discounts are subtractions from original prices.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: Interest on P5,000 at 6% for 2 years
A: I = 5000 × 0.06 × 2 = ■600
Q: 20% discount on ■800
A: 800 × 0.20 = 160 → 800 - 160 = ■640
Ratios and Proportions
Ratios compare numbers. Proportions are equations with two equal ratios.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: Ratio 5:3, total 40
A: 5 + 3 = 8 parts → 40 ÷ 8 = 5 → 3 × 5 = 15 girls
Q: 5/20 = x/24
A: Cross multiply: 5×24 = 120 → 120 ÷ 20 = 6 → x = 6
Measurements
Covers unit conversion and calculating area and volume.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 250 cm to meters
A: 250 ÷ 100 = 2.5 m
Q: Area of 10 cm × 8 cm
A: 10 × 8 = 80 cm²
Mean, Median, Mode
Mean: average; Median: middle; Mode: most frequent value.
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 5, 7, 3, 3, 10, 8, 3
A: Mean = 39/7 = 5.57; Median = 5; Mode = 3
Speed, Time, Motion
Speed = Distance ÷ Time; Distance = Speed × Time; Time = Distance ÷ Speed
Sample Problems and Solutions:
Q: 120 km in 3 hrs
A: 120 ÷ 3 = 40 km/h
Q: 60 km/h for 2.5 hrs
A: 60 × 2.5 = 150 km