Math How-Tos

How To: Divide small numbers by big numbers

This is a mathematical educational video on how to divide a small number by a larger number. You are aware that it is easy to divide a larger number by a small number. For example, if you want to divide 379 by 9 it is easy to do so. But if you have to divide 9 by 379 it is a bit difficult. You have to add a zero and see if you can divide. You need to add one more zero so that you can divide 900 by 379. But you should know that the answer would start like this 0.0 as we have added 2 zeros alre...

How To: Find the distance between two points

The user tries to explain to us how to find the distance between two points. It should be noted that we are not talking about using a ruler to measure the distance between two points. The video creator is talking about the math problem that involves finding distance between two points. He uses an electronic white board to explain to us how this is done. He goes step by step and uses a basic equation to help the viewer understand these concepts.

How To: Do a rotation in Geometry

Learn how to do a rotation in geometry with this video! First step is to pout the pencil into the compass. Adjusting the pencil and compass needle is same. Suppose you want 165 degree size circle. Measure the reading with compass in protractor. Note the point and adjust the compass. After place the sharp end of the compass at the point and rotate the compass the circle will enabled. Next use protractor. We see 75 degree acute angle. Place the protractor on the line and mark the reading we wan...

How To: Solve single-step equation by multiplication

This video will show you the simple mathematical concept of solving a single-step equation using multiplication. This is very useful for equations in which you need to solve for a variable and the variable is a part of a fraction. The example provided in the video shows a very fast and simple way to solve these types of problems. By multiplying your fraction by the denominator of the fraction, you will cancel out the fraction and multiply the other side by the same number. By following these ...

How To: Understand the rotational symmetry of a cube

One of the most fascinating figures in the 3 dimensional world is the cube. This video goes into details about the rotational symmetry of a cube. The video examines this property of cubes by rotating the figure on different axis and inspecting how this property of cubes change or react. This video is for anyone interested in 3 dimensional figures. After watching this, viewers should have a basic overview and understanding of this unique rotational symmetry property of a cube.

How To: Calculate the area of a parallelogram

Calculating The Area Of A Parallelogram A parallelogram is a 4-sided shape formed by two pairs of parallel lines. Opposite sides are equal in length and opposite angles are equal in measure. To find the area of a parallelogram, multiply the base by the height. The formula is:

How To: Find the sides of a 45-45-90 right triangle

First you want to find X using the identities given for a 45-45-90 triangle. When comparing the triangles in the video, we find that X must be 6. Next, use the identity to solve for the measurements of the sides of the triangle. In the video example, 6 is the length of the two sides and 6 times the square root of 2 is the length of the hypotenuse. The video is very short and does not explain a lot of things in detail, but that is because the examples are easy to figure out.

How To: Calculate the area of complex shapes

Watch this video to learn how to calculate the area inside complex figures--shapes composed of multiple smaller, simpler shapes. The first step is to break the shape into its simpler component shapes. Then, using the information you have about the large shape, find all information you can about the smaller ones: base, height, etc. Next, find the areas of the smaller component shapes. Finally, add the areas of each of the component shapes together to find the area of the complex shape. Now you...

How To: Calculate acceleration with a practical application

This academic tutoring video, made by BrainKindle, defines acceleration in simple to understand terms and shows how to measure acceleration. He shows how a plain cardboard box, pencil and string are used to make a simple pendulum, which moves as the car accelerates. Using data from the arc of the pendulum, he shows how to calculate acceleration. This is an easy method to use if you do not have an iPhone with an application to measure acceleration. A great trick for a budding scientist or phys...

How To: Find the lowest common multiples

Watchers of this video will learn how to find the "lowest common multiple", the lowest whole number that can be divided by each of two numbers evenly. For example, the lowest common multiple of 8 and 12 is the lowest number of which 8 and 12 are both factors. To find the lowest common multiple of 2 numbers, find the factors of both numbers. One way to do this is to make a "factor tree", drawing branches with factors from each number until it cannot be factored any more. Once both numbers are ...

How To: Draw a rectangle

In this tutorial the author shows how to draw a rectangle with given base b and height h values. First she uses a ruler to draw a horizontal base line of b cm. Now she uses a protractor and marks a 90 degree angle at one end of the line, then draws a straight line of h cm which is the height of the rectangle. Now she finishes the remaining part of the rectangle by drawing similar lines of the other sides. This video clearly explains how to draw a rectangle given the values of its base and hei...

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: 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.