Hot Math How-Tos
How To: Convert decimals to fractions
At first, the concept of converting decimals to fractions sounded very difficult. But after watching this video and following the step by step instructions, it was easy. It is important to know the basic concepts of numerals, i.e., tenths, hundredths, etc. They provided an example of making .12 into a fraction and then reducing it to an easily understandable number. Search on WonderHowTo to solve more math woes!
How To: Find the surface area of a pyramid
Finding the surface area of a pyramid is a bit different than finding the surface area of a 2D triangle. But, don't be scared, it is not as hard as it sounds. Have a look at this tutorial, and learn exactly how to find the area of a 3D object, specifically a pyramid. The good news is that once you have grasped the area of a flat triangle, that of its 3D counterpart should be pretty easy to learn.
How To: Figure out elapsed time with Mr Binkley
This video is an entertaining way of learning how to quantify how much time has elapsed from one point to another. It opens with a mischievous person using an unauthorized computer, claiming he had only been on for a shorter time than what was calculated by the owner. The video then instructs how to figure out such a calculation by creating a T-chart. One the left side of the T-chart, the previous time is shown, along with new times as each hour or minute is added. On the right, the desired t...
How To: Find a missing angle inside of a triangle
Are math problems getting you down? Well this should be of some help. Here is how to find a missing angle inside of a triangle. Now the first thing to remember when solving this type of question is that the sum of all the three angles inside a triangle is equal to 180 degrees. Therefore, whenever we have two of the three angles inside the triangle, all we have to do in order to obtain the missing angle is to add up the two known angles and subtract the total from 180 and we will get the missi...
How To: Use the percentile formula in Statistics
In this tutorial the instructor explains the percentile formula. He says that the percentile formula is used to find the percentile rank of a data point in a group of data. He takes an example that consists of the lengths of puppies. Now he intends to find out the percentile rank of any puppy in the group. He shows that the formulate to compute a percentile rank of a particular puppy is rank R = 100 * (N< + (1/2)N= )/ Nt, where N< is the number of puppies whose length is less that the length ...
How To: Find the slope given 2 points
This tutorial will show you how to determine the slope of a line if you are given two coordinates on a coordinate plane. You should first find the location of each point on the plane, remembering that the coordinates are in the format of x-axis (or horizontal movement), followed by y-axis (vertical movement). After plotting both these points, you should draw a straight line between these two points and then determine the slope of this line by taking the rise over the run of the line.
How To: Find the area of complex figures
In this tutorial the author explains how to compute the area of a complex figure. Now he first defines what a complex figure is by saying that a complex figure is a figure made up of two or more basic shapes. He uses an example to convey his idea and breaks that sample figure into basic squares and rectangles. Now he computes the areas of these individual units separately and finally puts them together to arrive at the final area of the complex figure. If you are looking to compute the area o...
How To: Draw angles in Geometry
This video instructs you on how to draw angles in geometry. The instructor begins by showing you 4 example angles you can create. He then draws a straight line that can be linked to any of the other four angles. The first example of an angle shown is 180 degrees. He draws a line at 50 degrees and then he continues to draw a 90 degree angle. The instructor varies whether he uses the left or right side of the protractor. He ended by noting some angles will be larger than the protractor.
How To: Graph a line in slope-intercept form
Graphing a line in slope-intercept form is easy in simple after watching this video. In this math tutorial, you'll be guided step-by-step how to graph a line from an equation in the y=mx+b format. The steps include determining the slope and the y-intercept, plotting the y-intercept on the graph, and finally applying the slope to connect the points. The video guides you through the entire process by illustrating and demonstrating all the necessary steps, thus making graphing a snap.
How To: Use the slope formula to find the slope of a line
Easily learn how to graph a straight line using rise over run also known as slope.
How To: Calculate percentages with monetary examples
Do you need to brush up on your fraction and percentage skills or get ahead of the class in math? This video shows several different examples of how to calculate percentages by using fractions. Money is used as a frequent example because quarters and change are easier to figure out and can help you translate when solving a math problem. You can also solve equations by writing them down and diving the part by the whole. Sound complicated? Watch the video and see how easy you can master calcula...
How To: Find the area of a rectangle
The area of a rectangle is the basis for all geometry. You will need to know how to do this in order to better understand other objects. This video tutorial will show you the formula for area of a rectangle and how to use it. Don't be confused in math class anymore.
How To: Calculate simple interest
Learn how to calculate simple interest with step-by-step instructions using the formula I=prt. Simply defined, interest equals principle times rate times time. The video shows various examples of calculating this formula by plugging different variables into the equation. Although, these calculations can seem hard to follow, the way they are presented is straightforward and simple to understand. The video also explains converting percentages to decimals, which is the cornerstone of applying th...
How To: Divide fractions by multiplying by the reciprocal
Having a hard time with dividing fractions? Learn the simple steps it takes to complete these division problems. With this instructional educational video you learn the golden rule, "NEVER DIVIDE FRACTIONS" Instead you multiply by the reciprocal which is the flipped version of the original fraction. Then from there is simple, you just multiply straight across like any other multiplication problem then just simplify. This one minute video will take you through all the steps and give you an exa...
How To: Find the perimeter of a rectangle easily
This video shows you how to easily find the perimeter of a rectangle or even a square. The perimeter is the total length of the path that surrounds the area of a rectangle or a square (in this case). For a rectangle, the perimeter length is equal to 2L+2W, where L is the length and W is the width. For a square, the perimeter length is equal to 4L, where L is the length or simply one side. e.g.: L=3, W=2 => P(Perimeter) = 10. That's it! Good Luck!
How To: Subtract fractions
Fractions are confusing, aren't they? They're numbers, but they're not really numbers and they're also pieces of numbers..fractions are a lot of things. When you begin working with fractions, you will need to know how to add and subtract them. In this tutorial, math teacher Mr. Simms shows you how to subtract fractions. This tutorial is very helpful and easy to follow along with. It takes a little practice but everybody is able to learn fractions with enough hard work.
How To: Find the midpoint of two points using formula
Find the midpoint of two points using a easy formula. Each coordinate has a x and y. X being the first number and y being the second number. So using the formula of x one plus x two then divide the sum by two. Using the same formula with the y coordinates. After plugging the numbers in the formula add the two x coordinates and divide by two. If you follow the same steps for the y coordinate take the two numbers and you have the midpoint of your two coordinates.
How To: Multiple positive & negative numbers
Multiplying positive and negative numbers may seem confusing. However, in this math tutorial, multiplying numbers with different or same signs is made easy and eliminates all confusion. The narrator of the video explains the key rules to remember when dealing with the possible combination of positive and negative numbers. The video breaks it down to two key rules. When you have a negative and a positive number; the result will always be negative. When you are given two numbers that have the s...
How To: Calculate the percentage of a number
This video presented by Cris Ippolite makes a comparison between flat files and relational databases made with FileMaker Pro 10. It starts by showing flat files, which programs like Microsoft Excel use. Flat files have a big disadvantage: they cannot communicate with other files, even those with related data. If you wish to make your job easier, you should use relational databases. With databases, the tables communicate between one another. Once you store an entry in a table, you can use it i...
How To: Use rise over run to graph a straight line
In this video the tutor shows how to graph a straight line using the rise over run method. The rise over run trick allows you to graph a straight line as long as you have a starting point and a slope value in the form of a fraction. The first step is to graph the starting point. In the second step he states that the numerator of the slope is rise and the denominator of the slope is run. He says that the rise is vertical and the run is horizontal and shows how do rise and run using those value...
How To: Calculate percentages in your head
This video explains how to calculate percentages in your head. To calculate a percentage in your head, start by breaking the percentage off into smaller units. For example 25% is 10 + 10 + 5. 30% is 10, 10, and 10. Now you have numbers you can easily work with in your head. Find 10% of the number. This is easily done by one of two methods. You can either move the decimal point one place to the left or you can drop the last number. Dropping the last number sometimes gives you an estimate, thou...
How To: Multiply fractions and reduce your answer
In this tutorial the instructor shows how to multiply fractions. He shows how to do these kind of problems by solving an example. He says that while multiplying fractions we directly multiply the numerators to obtain the new numerator and then we multiply the denominators to obtain at the new denominator. He further shows how to do this with an example and in the final step he also performs deductions to obtain the fraction in its simple from. This is a good tutorial to learn how to multiply ...
How To: Divide two fractions
The video teaches the viewer to divide one fraction by another. The process involves taking the reciprocal of the second fraction (flipping it upside down); so if you want to divide 7/3 by 1/2, you flip 1/2: it becomes 2/1. Then it is a multiplication problem: 7/3 x 2/1. The way to multiply two fractions is to multiply the top numbers (here, 7 x 2) over the bottom numbers (here, 3 x 1). So the product of 7/3 x 2/1 is 14/3.
How To: Find the area of a trapezoid
Get help with your math homework and learn to find the area of a trapezoid by watching this video. Following along while four examples are solved, the viewer will learn how to calculate the area when all the required measurements are given and will learn to calculate distance of one side when the area of the trapezoid is known. If you are learning about measurement in school or are trying to find the areas of a trapezoid for another reason (maybe you are carpeting an oddly shaped room), this ...
How To: Find a missing vertical angle
This video shows how to solve a very basic yet very important geometric problem which is, finding a missing angle of a triangle. This videos shows the viewers more than one basic information about the triangle. It is a short and simple example which is very much helpful for the students who are beginners in geometries and it can be a very useful tip for the people going for interviews since they need to know these basics to solve some very critical puzzles.
How To: Find the area of a circle easily
In this video lesson, you learn how to find the area of a circle. The video starts with an explanation of the area's formula. This formula can then be used to find the area of any circle, given its radius, which is half the diameter of the circle. There are many applications for this formula, whether in architecture, or studying for a basic geometry test. Euclidean geometry is the cornerstone of any education, and this video teaches you one of the many formulas in geometry.
How To: Add 3 fractions with common denominators
In this math tutorial the instructor shows us how to add three fractions with common denominators. He says that it is similar to adding two fractions with common denominator. He tells us first to add all the numbers in the numerator which gives us a new number which is the numerator in our answer and the denominator to our answer is the original common denominator. Now, if the resulting fraction is improper fraction, you will have to convert it into a mixed number. In this video the author sh...
How To: Rationalize a denominator
This is an illustrative video on how to rationalize a denominator. Let us take an example of 1 over root 2. If we have to rationalize this denominator, we need to multiply it and divide it by root 2. You will get root 2 over 2. Similarly if you want to rationalize 4 root 6 over root 2, we have to multiply and divide it by root 2. We will get 4 root 12 over 2. That is equal to 2 root 12. In this way you can find rationalize the denominator easily.
How To: Find the percentage of a number
In this tutorial the author explains of how to compute percentages of a given number. He explains that x percent of some number y is x multiplied by y and divided by 100. He says that of means multiply and percentage means for hundred. He goes on and explains this concept with numerous examples. He suggests a small trick to move the decimal point of a number two digits to the left to get it divided by hundred. The author demonstrates many more similar tricks and short cuts using which one can...
How To: Find a common denominator to add fractions
In this video the tutor shows how to add fractions. Fractions are numbers in the form a/b, where a and b are normal numbers. He shows that to add two fraction we need their denominators to be same. If they are not same we need to take their least common multiple and change the fractions so that they have equal denominators. Now the numerators of these fractions can be directly added and the resultant fraction contains this numerator along with the original common denominator. Now this fractio...
How To: Apply the distributive property
The distributive property is a very important factor to consider in math and may save you a lot of trouble on your math homework. For values which lie right outside parentheses, you will need to distribute this value across the contents of whatever is inside the parentheses. You will need to multiply the value outside of the parentheses by first the first term inside the parentheses and then by the following terms inside the parentheses, distributing the value across all the terms found insid...
How To: Reduce fractions
This video shows you how to easily reduce fractions. A fraction contains a numerator and a denominator. The numerator is the number on the top and the denominator is the number at the bottom of the fraction. The first thing you have to do to reduce fractions is look for the greatest common factor between the numerator and the denominator and divide both top and bottom of the fraction by that common factor. (e.g.. 18/24 - the greatest common factor is 6 => (18/6)/(24/6)= 3/4. Continue reducing...
How To: Add to fractions with uncommon denominators.
Wondering how to add fractions with uncommon denominators?
How To: Find a missing part of a triangle, similar to another
In this tutorial the author shows how to find out the missing part of a triangle that is similar to another triangle. He explains the concept of similar triangle diagrammatically by showing that similar triangles have similar angles and parallel sides. Now he labels sides of similar triangles and marks the value of unknown side as variable x. Now in similar triangles as the lengths of sides of proportionate he shows how to write a equation of proportion and solves it finding the missing part ...
How To: Apply the fundamental rule of proportions
Learn how to apply the fundamental rule of proportions just follow simple few steps. First step is take two fractions and equate them. For example (Top/Bottom)=(Top/Bottom).
How To: Prove side-side-side congruency
In this "Math Made Easy" geometry episode, you learn how to prove that two triangles are congruent (equal) by using the "side-side-side" evidence. By using "side-side-side" to prove that two triangles are congruent, you are stating that all the respective corresponding sides of two triangles are equal in length thus proving the triangles are congruent. The narrator in this tutorial provides you with definitions about statements, proofs, and congruency. This becomes useful when setting up a ta...
How To: Find the area of a square
This video explains to you how to find the area of a square. The area of a square is given by the formula
How To: Find the zeros when graphing a quadratic equation
In this tutorial the instructor shows how to graph a parabola and also how to find its roots which are also known as zeroes. He gives the quadratic formula of how to find x-intercepts of a parabola. He takes an example and substitutes the values and finds out the values of the roots of the parabola. Now he substitutes these values in the equation to obtain the corresponding y coordinates. Now using these pairs of values he plots the parabola on a graph and draws it. This video shows how to fi...
How To: Understand how to multiply fractions
Multiplying fractions are very simple, just multiply the numerators of the fractions to get the new numerator, and multiply the denominators of the fractions to get the new denominator. Let's say we have 2 fractions 1/2 and 1/2 when multiplying them 1/2x1/2=1/4 [1x1/2x2].
How To: Solve direct proportions in Algebra
This video describes how to solve direct proportions in algebra which is an important and useful skill in everyday life, school and at work. In this video one would learn key elements of a direct proportion and learn to separate them into a more means more or less means less types of proportion. For example if one had a direct proportion of the more means more type one would simply gather the logical numbers and follow the two simple rules for solving. Overall this video is simple and useful ...