Math

Imagine a world without mathematics. Sounds chaotic right? Math is about numbers, shapes, logic, patterns and so on. From launching a rocket to cooking, we need math.so, let's see why is math important?

Mathematics is the study of numbers, shapes, formulas, data, and arrangement. Math plays a major in many fields like engineering, science, medicine, economics, finance, etc. so, it is very significant to understand math concepts. And even we use math in daily life for checking time, date, calculation, shopping, cooking, etc.

 

Math is the science of numbers and their operations, properties, relations.  It also deals with shapes, data, measurements, quality, change. Now let’s discuss more about math definition. Numbers and their operations: One of prime math applications is numbers and their operations. Math deals with various types of numbers like natural numbers, prime numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, integers, etc. Numbers have their operations like additions, subtraction, multiplication, division. It also deals with shapes, data, measurements, quality and so on.
 

Kids, are you aware of the history of math? Before learning more about math, let’s discuss the history of math. Math and numbers have been a part of history since ancient times. From simple counting, calculation, measuring to advanced math and online math, math has developed in all these years. The father of mathematics, Archimedes, had introduced the formula to calculate the volume and surface area of solids. Aryabhatt is the father of Indian mathematics, as he introduced zero(0). 

 

Euclid, Pythagoras, Bhaskaracharya, Hipparchus, etc. are some famous mathematicians in the history of math. The tally marks on bones and caves, shows the evidence of math concept back to paleolithic age. And the trace is also found in the civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece. By the ninth century, Arabic numerals (0 -9) were introduced, making calculation easier.

 

By the 17th century, Calculus was developed by Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. It is used in different fields like physics and engineering. By the 20th century, cryptography, computational complexity theory, and coding theory were the new area of mathematics. Mathematics has developed a lot and is developing daily.
 

Why is math important in academics? Mathematics plays an essential role in developing cognitive skills and develops problem-solving skills. So, math is a part of academics from grade K. It has the topics and concepts relevant to daily life. 

It is essential for kids to learn mathematics because math for kids helps them to promote healthy brain function, reasoning skills and critical thinking. Math skills are required for our daily life. The concept of profit and loss can help them to develop finance knowledge. 
 

Aren’t we using math from the time we wake up till we sleep? Math is the base for many of our daily activities. It is not only a subject, but it is also a base of many other subjects. Math for kids are structured in such a way that can help them to develop decision-making skills and problem-solving skills. Now let’s discuss some importance of mathematics -

 

 

• Math is a part of our daily application, we use it in many ways like checking time, date, measurements, calculations, and many more.

 

•  We schedule our day only with math, as we know it is easier for us to calculate the difference between time.

 

• Math in finance, budgeting is a part of our life, to know how our income and expenses are. As a kid when you get pocket money you need to calculate it and plan accordingly to spend, so it is important for you all to know about math. 

 

• Solving math requires critical thinking, from remembering all the formulas and concepts to math application and solving math equations.

 

• Helps in cognitive development: Kids after they get familiarized with the basic math concepts, they can solve it using mental math, which increases their cognitive skills.

Why do kids consider math as a complex subject? In math, solving a question requires different concepts, so solving it requires a lot of patience and practice. For the better understanding of basic math concepts, kids should be aware of the fundamentals of math. Let’s check out some fundamentals of math,

 

1.Numbers: Numbers are the part of basic math concept, numbers are the basic arithmetic value used to represent quality. There are various types of numbers like integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, prime numbers, even numbers, odd numbers etc. Example: Integers: -5, -4, 0, 1, 2

Rational numbers: 12, 57, 0.35

Irrational numbers: √15, √6, π

Prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7

Even numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8

Odd numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7

 

2.Operations: The basic math operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. These operations are for all real numbers, each operation is represented using different signs like +(plus) for addition, -(minus) for subtraction, ×(time sign) for multiplication, ÷(division sign) for division. 

Addition: Here, two or more numbers are added together to get a new sum. The numbers added together are called addends.

Example: 2 + 5 = 7

Subtraction: Here, the difference of two or more numbers is calculated.

Example: 5 - 3 = 2

Multiplication: In multiplication, numbers are multiplied together to get a product. Multiplication is the repetitive addition of the same numbers.

Example: 5 × 6 = 30

Division: Here, a larger number is broken down into smaller numbers. 

Example: 8 ÷ 2 = 4

3.  Geometry: Geometry is a branch of mathematics, here the shapes, structures, angles, dimensions of different objects are studied. Plane geometry, three-dimensional geometry, solid geometry, etc. are the types of geometry.

4. Algebra: Algebra is a branch of mathematics where mathematical statements were used to express the relationship between things that vary. The variables like x, y, and z and operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, divisions are used.

5. Calculus: Calculus is a type of math used to study the change. Rate of change and motion is studied using the derivative and the integral. Differentiation, integration, limits, etc. are the parts of calculus.

6. Trigonometry: The relationship between angles, length, height, and distance is studied here. Sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, cosecant, are the basic functions.
 

From all we read till, do you think math has branches? Yes, math is not into one but has a lot of branches. Branches of mathematics are the interlinked topics which overlap each other. The common two branches of mathematics are - 

Pure mathematics: It is the math for math’s sake. It is more into math and discovering new realms of math by, here the focus is on abstract and theoretical concepts in math and proving them

 

Applied mathematics: It is the practical form of math. It is the practical application of math in the field of engineering, science, physics, etc. 

 

Pure mathematics Vs. Applied mathematics

 

 

Online math learning: Online math learning is the way of learning math using the internet. Here, the teacher can directly interact with the students and teach them, so it offers personalized learning. It makes students understand the concept well and increases the focus. Nowadays, there are many online math courses according to the needs of the students.

The set of rules used in math are the formulas. So remembering the formulas is one of the best ways to learn math. But most of the time, students find it difficult to memorize the formulas. 

So, let’s see some basic math formulas.  

 

• In geometry: 

Some formulas of 2-D formulas

Triangle 

Area of a triangle = 1/2bh

Here, b is the base and h is the height of the triangle.

 

Circle 

Circumference of circle = 2πr

Area of a circle = πr²

Here r is the radius of the circle 

 

Square

Area of a square = a²

Perimeter of a square = 4a

Here, a refers to the length of a side

Rectangle

Area of a rectangle = l × b

Perimeter of a rectangle = 2(l + b)

Here l is the length and b is the breadth of the rectangle 

 

• Quadratic formula: ax² + bx + c = 0

 

It is a polynomial equation of second degree. Here, x is the variable, a, b, and c are real numbers. And a ≠ 0

 

• Pythagorean theorem: c =√ a² + b² 

 

This equation is used to find the length of the longest side of a right angle triangle. Here, c is the longest side, a and b are the length of the other two sides. 

 

• Algebra formulas

 (a + b)² = a² + 2ab+ b²

(a - b)² = a² - 2ab + b²

a² - b² = (a - b) (a + b)

 

a² + b² = (a +b)² - 2ab

 

 

• Percentage formula

 

Percentage is the representation of a number as a fraction of 100.

Percentage = given value / total value × 100
 

In math, symbols are used to represent operations, relations, concepts and so on. There are many symbols in math, and each has a unique function. Let’s check out some basic symbols of math.

 

• Plus symbol: + used in addition

 

• Minus symbol: - used in subtraction

 

• Times sign: × used in multiplication

 

• Division sign: ÷ used in division 

 

• Equal to: =

 

• Not equal to: ≠

 

• Greater than and less than: >, <

 

• Plus or minus sign: ±

 

• Exponent: a²

 

• Square root: √

 

• Cube root: 3√a

 

• Percentage: %

 

• Set: {}

 

• Pi: π
   

Properties in mathematics are the characteristics of numbers in operations. In the operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division these properties of numbers make it easier for students to understand.

The four properties of math are,

 

 

• Commutative property

 

• Associative property

 

• Distributive property

 

• Identity property

 

Commutative property:

In commutative property, when two numbers are added or multiplied, the answer will be the same even if we shift the position. It is applicable for both addition and multiplication.

In addition: if two integers are added, the sum will be the same even if we change the position of the numbers. 

a + b = b +a, example 2 + 5 = 5 + 2 = 7

In multiplication: If two integers are multiplied together, the product of the number will be the same even if the position is changed.

a×b = b×a, example 2 × 5 = 5 × 2 = 10

Associative property

 When we multiply or add three or more numbers, the way of grouping doesn't affect the result. It can be applicable only for multiplication and addition.

(a + b) + c = a + (b +c), example (2 + 5) + 3 = 2 + (5 + 3) = 10

(a × b) × c = a × (b × c), example (2 × 2) × 5 = 2 × (2 × 5) = 20

 

Distributive property

Here, it states that when a number is multiplied by a sum of two other numbers, the product is the same as when we multiplied the number by each of the two numbers and then added the results. I.e, a × (b +c) = (a × b) + (a × c)

For example, 2 × (4 + 3) = (2 × 4) + (2 × 3) = 14

Identity property

When we add 0 or multiply 1 to any number, it does not change the value. 

For example, 12 + 0 =12

12 × 1 = 12

Math calculators are a device or software that helps to perform mathematical calculations. There are basic calculators, scientific calculators, online calculators, graphing calculators, and so on. 

Online math calculators are the free and easily accessible web based tools. Which can perform various calculations, from basic math concepts to advanced math applications. Some online math calculators are 

Symbolab: https://www.symbolab.com/  

Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/ 

Math way: https://www.mathway.com/BasicMath

Math solver: https://mathsolver.microsoft.com/en 
 

Math is always considered as a difficult subject, isn’t it? So. Let's see, how to improve math skills? Here are some of the easy math tricks and tips. 

 

• Memorizing is one of the best tips to learn math.

One of the easy math tricks is to memorize it is applicable in multiplication, values of pi, and formulas. For memorizing, kids can use flashcards, 

 

• Regular practice

The best way to learn math is regular practice. Consistent and regular practice is required for understanding math concepts and to master it. For that, kids can work on math worksheets for kids, work on different problem-solving techniques, and math practice online will be helpful. 
 

Math has an impact on the real world, so a person with a strong foundation in mathematics has ample career opportunities. So, let’s see some career opportunities in mathematics. Mathematics teacher, accountant, computer programmer, financial analyst, finance planner, civil engineer, auditor, statistician, algorithm engineer, software engineer, economist, etc. These are some career opportunities, but there are many more opportunities you can find according to your math skill.