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How To: Multiply & Divide Numbers (Basic Elementary Math)

Adding and subtracting may be the easiest of mathematical operations, but once you get it down, multiplication and division can be just as easy. That's why it's called elementary arithmetic. If it were harder, it would be called college algebra or trigonometry. But it's not— it's basic math, and once you get your head around the numbers, you'll never hate math class again! (Okay, maybe you will.)

How To: Rationalize square roots

In this tutorial, we learn how to rationalize square roots. You cannot have square roots in the denominator of an equation. You need to multiply so the square root goes away. You can do this by multiplying the top and bottom of the equation by the bottom denominator. From here, this will make the square root go away, so your equation will be normal numbers. After you have done this, you will have the equation answered and you will be able to simplify it to find the end answer. You can do this...

How To: Use and find x & y-intercepts in algebra

A straight line can be represented in the form of a liner equation containing two variables x and y. When the equation is graphed on a pair of coordinate axes, the line passes cut through the axes in two points. The point where the line cuts the x-axes is called as its x coordinate and the point where the line cuts the y-axes is called as its y coordinate. In this way a line has x-intercept and y-intercept. The x-intercept of a line lies on x axes and is in the form (a,0). Similarly the y-int...

How To: Find extra points for a parabola (quadractic equation)

This is a mathematical educational video on how to find extra points for a parabola. In the first two examples there is no need for finding extra points as they have five points and have zeros of the parabola. In example 3 we need to find extra points. The equation is y=4xsquare-4x+4. You can take x= -1 and get the value for y. You will get a point now. Similarly you can substitute -2 for x in the same equation and get the value for y. Now you get another point. Now you can draw the parabola.

How To: Find and sketch the domain of a multivariable function

Looking for a primer on how to find and sketch the domain of a function z = f(x, y) in calculus? Learn how with this free video calc lesson. From Ramanujan to calculus co-creator Gottfried Leibniz, many of the world's best and brightest mathematical minds have belonged to autodidacts. And, thanks to the Internet, it's easier than ever to follow in their footsteps (or just finish your homework or study for that next big test).

How To: Write a slope-intercept equation given an X-Y table

In this tutorial the author shows how to derive a slope-intercept equation of a line given an X-Y table. He explains that the general form of slope intercept form which is y = m*x + b. Now he intends to find value of slope, i.e. m first. Now slope is change in y over change in x. He computes the slope using the X-Y values from the table. Next he substitutes a pair of x, y value in the equation to compute the value of y intercept b. Now finally substituting the values in the equation the slop-...

How To: Use a TI-89 to calculate nCr

This video shows you how to do a mathematical representation on computing the nCr function using a TI-89 calculator. You can write the nCr notation in different forms. It can be simplified from nCr to C(n,r). The symbol can either be read "n choose r" or "n taken r at a time" which are from it's probability applications. On the example to find "26 choose 17", go to the Home screen of the TI-89 calculator and then go 2nd 5 which is Math. Go choose probability and then to nCr to type in (26,17)...

How To: Use ">" (greater than) and "<" (less than) symbols

In this video the author explains how to identify the less than (<) and greater than (>) symbols and when to use them. She explains to us to relate the numbers to animals stating that the smaller numbers are smaller animals and bigger numbers are bigger animals. Now she tells us to imagine that smaller animals are eaten up by the larger animals. So she shows a smaller number comes on the left side of '<' sign and bigger number comes on the right side of '<' sign stating that the bigger number...

How To: Find the area of a triangle given three points

In this tutorial, we learn how to find the area of a triangle given three points. First, you will need to plot the points on a graph. After this, find the base and the height using the graph. Next substitute into area of a triangle formula and then evaluate. When you finally find the area of the triangle, then you will write down the answer ending it with the units. This is a simple way to find the area of the triangle, you just have to make sure you count correctly and have calculated the ar...

How To: Find the perimeter & area of a complex figure

In this video tutorial the author shows how to find the perimeter and area of a complex figure. He shows that a complex figure can be subdivided into standard geometric figures. In the current example he divides the complex figure into a rectangle and a triangle. Now he computes the perimeter by adding the three sides of the rectangle and the two sides of the triangle. Similarly he computes the individual areas of the rectangle and the triangle and finally adds then up to find the area of the...

How To: Find a slope of a line parallel/perpendicular to it

This video tells you how to find a slope of a parallel / perpendicular to it. In the equation y = mx + c, m is the slope. To calculate the slope of a line that is parallel to another line, you have to consider the rule m1 = m2 which means slope of the first line m1 is equal to the second line m2, if both the lines are parallel. Take the equation y = 2/3x - 7.2/3 is the slope. According to the rule m1 = 2/3 and so m2 = 2/3.Now to calculate the slope of perpendicular line you have another rule ...

How To: Cancel out in basic algebra

This video gives you brief tutorial on simplifying expressions, or canceling out common factors. He starts out by answering the question "What is canceling?" and demonstrates a basic example. You find the greatest common factor between the numerator and denominator, which you then divide both by. This can also be done if you have variables in your fraction. He then shows it can be done the same way if you have binomials in your fractions. However, you must be careful that the denominator does...

How To: Write a sum/difference of logarithms as a logarithm

To write the sum or difference of logarithms as a single logarithm, you will need to learn a few rules. The rules are ln AB = ln A + ln B. This is the addition rule. The multiplication rule of logarithm states that ln A/b = ln A - ln B. The third rule of logarithms that deals with exponents states that ln (M power r) = r * ln M. Using these three rules you can simplify any expression that involves logarithms to arrive at a single logarithm. The instructor shows how to apply these rules to a f...

How To: Complete the square and solve the quadratic equation

In order to solve a quadratic equation by completing the square, take a quadratic equation and make sure that the coefficient of the first squared term in one. If it is not factor it by pulling the term out to get it to one. Now just write down the first two terms in side a bracket and after it add the third term. Now take the coefficient of the x term and take one half of it and square it and put that number back into the bracket. Now as you added a new number, to cancel it out subtract it f...

Use the quadratic equation: finding the mirror point

In this video the tutor shows how to find the mirror point using a quadratic equation. He says that to graph a parabola you need to find the mirror point symmetrical to the Y-intercept. Now he explains how to find a mirror point using an example with sample values. He begins with saying that the Y-coordinate of the mirror point is same as the Y-coordinate of the Y-intercept. Now you have to find the x coordinate of the mirror point which he shows that it is double the x-coordinate of the vert...

How To: Find how many toothpicks will be needed to form the nth figure in a sequence

From Ramanujan to calculus co-creator Gottfried Leibniz, many of the world's best and brightest mathematical minds have belonged to autodidacts. And, thanks to the Internet, it's easier than ever to follow in their footsteps. With this installment from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan's series of free math tutorials, you'll learn how to employ inductive reasoning to determine the number of toothpicks you'll require to generate the nth (e.g., the 50th) figure in a sequence of figures.

How To: Prove Rank(A) = Rank(transpose of A) in linear algebra

Learn how to prove that the rank of a matrix, A, is equal to the rank of its transpose in linear algebra. From Ramanujan to calculus co-creator Gottfried Leibniz, many of the world's best and brightest mathematical minds have belonged to autodidacts. And, thanks to the Internet, it's easier than ever to follow in their footsteps (or just finish your homework or study for that next big test).

How To: Determine the age of a fossil using carbon-14

If you have a fossil, you can tell how old it is by the carbon 14 dating method. This is a formula which helps you to date a fossil by its carbon. If a fossil contains 60% of its original carbon, how old is the fossil? The half life of carbon 14 is 5600 years. That means this is how long it takes for half the nuclei to decay. After 5600 years, if we start with a gram, we end up with half a gram. This rather complex formula shows you how to solve this puzzle using accepted scientific methods.

How To: Find the slope from a set of points

To find the slope of a line you must have two points and then you must plug in the two points into the slope formula. The slope formula is m= y2-y1 over x2-x1. If the slope is a fraction be sure to reduce to the lowest. Remember if a number is divided into zero it is zero, if zero is divided into the number it is undefined. A calculator can help one remember this. Horizontal lines have slopes and vertical lines do not. Drawing the lines on a graph can help you see the actual slopes and which ...

How To: Figure out the domain & range of a piecewise function

Need to calculate the domain and range of a graphed piecewise function? Learn how with this free video lesson. From Ramanujan to calculus co-creator Gottfried Leibniz, many of the world's best and brightest mathematical minds have belonged to autodidacts. And, thanks to the Internet, it's easier than ever to follow in their footsteps (or just finish your homework or study for that next big test).

How To: Factor a trinomial with negative leading coefficient

In this video the instructor shows how to factor a trinomial with negative leading coefficient. Most of the students are confused when they have to factor a trinomial with a negative leading coefficient. But there are many ways to solve these kind of problems as shown in this video. One way you can do is that take out the greatest common factor (GCF) of -1 from the equation. So pulling the -1 gives you the original trinomial with all the signs of the terms changed. Now go on and factor the ne...

How To: Solve equations & inequalities with absolute value

In this tutorial the instructor talks about various strategies for solving equations and inequalities involving absolute value. To do this the first step is to isolate an absolute value. An absolute value is exactly equal to a number. If that number is less than zero then there is no solution. So, if you have an absolute value that is less than a number it means that the real value lies in between negative and positive value of that number. If your number is less than zero then it is empty se...

How To: Evaluate logarithms using a calculator TI-83

A video to help calculator users find the natural logarithm (log base e, or "ln") and standard logarithm (log base 10, or simply "log") of any number using a TI-83 calculator (works for any issue of the TI-83 calculator or even a TI-84 calculator). Turn on your calculator. To find the natural log of a number, press the "ln" button (the third button from the bottom left), enter the number you want to find the natural log of, press the ")" (closed parenthesis) button, then press enter. The same...

How To: Draw a right trapezoid in Geometry

Watch this video to learn how to draw a right trapezoid using given specifications for lengths of sides. A right trapezoid is a four-sided shape with two right angles and two parallel sides. First, draw the long base. Then draw a 90 degree angle at one end of the base, using a protractor. Mark the angle to show it is 90 degrees. Then draw another 90 degree angle at the top. This is the first video in a set--to finish learning you must watch the next segment. If you watch these videos you will...

How To: Find the vertical asymptotes of rational functions

To find a vertical asymptote, you are trying to find values of x that produce 0 in the denominator but not in the numerator. If 0/0 occurs, that means you have a "hole" in the graph. A vertical asymptote is a place in the graph of infinite discontinuity, where the graph spikes off to positive or negative infinity. To find the vertical asymptote, set the denominator equal to zero and solve for x. Check that the values also do not give a zero in the nominator. If the values work, you have found...

How To: Factor quadratic trinomials by trial and error

Want to know how to factor quadratic trinomials in algebra? One easy way is through trial and error. Watch this free video algebra lesson to see how. From Ramanujan to calculus co-creator Gottfried Leibniz, many of the world's best and brightest mathematical minds have belonged to autodidacts. And, thanks to the Internet, it's easier than ever to follow in their footsteps (or just finish your homework or study for that next big test). With this free math tutorial, you'll learn how to factor t...

How To: Solve rate-of-change problems with derivatives

Need to know how to use derivatives to solve rate-of-change problems? Find out. From Ramanujan to calculus co-creator Gottfried Leibniz, many of the world's best and brightest mathematical minds have belonged to autodidacts. And, thanks to the Internet, it's easier than ever to follow in their footsteps (or just finish your homework or study for that next big test). With this installment from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan's series of free math tutorials, you'll learn how to solve...

How To: Find percent by mass & percent composition

In chemistry you come across problems which ask you to find the percent by mass and percent composition of each element in a chemical compound. To do this the first step is to compute the molar mass. Use the periodic table to look up the mass of individual atoms and multiply it by the number of atoms to find the mass of that element. Now add up all the masses to arrive at the molar mass of the compound. Now to find the percent composition of an element divide the total mass of each element by...

How To: Calculate azimuth in trigonometry

Azimuth is simply the angle of an object in the sky along the horizon. Yes, it's spherical trigonometry but it's not difficult! Check out this video and in just a few minutes you will be able to solve azimuth problems on your own.

How To: Convert temperature using y = mx + b

In this video the instructor shows how to do temperature conversions using y = m*x + b. Now if Celsius is represented by the variable C and Fahrenheit is represented by the symbol F, you can replace then in the previous equation in place of the variables x and y giving you the equation C = m*F + b. Now to solve for the values of the constants m and b you need to have values of two sample temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. Take the first sample and substitute in the above equation gi...

How To: Complete the square to graph a quadratic function

In this tutorial the instructor shows how to complete the square to graph a quadratic function using transformations. You can do this by transforming your equation in a series of steps. First make the coefficient of the square term to one by pulling out its numerical coefficient. Now to complete the square of the first part add half the coefficient of the variable with a degree one. Now to maintain the original value of the equation also make sure that you subtract the same value from the equ...

How To: Do long division with different approaches

Taking equal groups, in our case, 7 out of the whole number, in this case 364 involves guessing. A shorter method involves taking groups, in our case, 7 out of each individual number 3, 6 and 4. If you cannot take 7 out of a number, you will subtract 0 from that number and carry down the next number. For example, you cannot take 7 from 3, so you will subtract 3-0 with the answer being 3 and carry down the next number, 6, giving you 36. You can take 5 groups of 7 out. 5 groups of 7 equals 35, ...

How To: Convert fractions to decimals quickly and easily

This video shows you how to easily convert a fraction to decimals. To convert a fraction to a decimal, you simply divide the numerator by the denominator. You first need to move the decimal point in the divisor to the right until it is a whole number. Then, you have to move the decimal point in the dividend to the right by the same number of places the decimal point was moved. Then divide the new dividend by the new divisor. Please note you may need to move the decimal point two places to the...

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