Jim's Math Corner
by James W. Leonardi
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Middle School |
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| Middle school will cover mathematics that I believe should be learned in grades 6th, 7th, and
8th. This will use what we have learned in elementary;
we will expand on the use of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. We may learn about Ratios & Proportions. A ratio is written in fraction form most of the time. All fractions are ratios. Portions, bases, and rates is another useful problem solving tool. Portion is usually designated by the letter P. Portion could be used for the sale price. Base is usually designated by the letter B. Base could be used for the original price. Rate is usually designated by the letter R. It is the percentage in the problem. In the fraction form, rate/100. Prime numbers are numbers that have only two natural number for factors. For example 5 has natural number factors of 1 and 5. Prime numbers can be used to find common denominators or to simplify a fraction. Signs tell us if a number is to the right or left of zero. A plus (+) appearing before a number, tells us that it is to the right of zero on the number line. A plus (+) also tell us to add the number following the plus sign. A minus (-) sign tells us that the number is to the left of zero in the number line. A minus (-) also tell us to subtract the number following the minus sign. The number under the square root symbol is called the radicand. A square root is asking us what number times itself equals the radicand. The square root may also ask us what letter times itself equals the radicand. |