Computation methods

Goal: To be able mathematical rules and algorithms to carry out calculations

accurately.
Access Prior Knowledge:
Use your knowledge of mathematical rules and number facts to complete
these calculations:
1.

(3 )3+23 9

2.

( )

3
+5 2 10
2

3.

(2)4 4
5

Solutions
1.
2.

3.

(3 )3+ 23 9
3 2
+5 2 10
2

( )

(2)4 4
5

= -27 + -6 9 = -27 =

9
4

16 4
5

+ -10 10 =

64
5

=-

2
3

2
= -27 3

9
4

1=
8
5

5
4

3
or -1 5

New Knowledge (To be copied into your notebooks):

Order of operations
A common acronym for recalling the order of operations is BODMAS.
Step Acronym
letter
st
1
B
2nd
O
rd
3
D and M
4th

A and S

Meaning
Brackets
Order (powers and roots)
Division and multiplication (working left
to right)
Addition and subtraction (working left to
right)

Apply New Knowledge:

1. Calculate the following expressions by correctly applying the order of
operations rules.
a. (27 12) + 180 32
= 15 + 180 32
= 15 + 180 9
Information sourced from school book-listed text book Jacaranda Plus Maths Quest 11

= 15 + 20
= 35
b.

( 5 8+ 42 )
( 2+ 144 )
=

(5 8+16)
( 2+ 144 )

( 40+16)
( 2+ 144 )

56
( 2+ 144 )

56
( 2+12 )

56
14

=4

New Knowledge (To be copied into your notebooks):

Directed numbers
Integers are numbers that can be found on either side of zero on a number line.
Due to their location, they are classified as either positive (+) or negative ().
They are called directed numbers as their values provide both a size, in the form of
a numerical value, and a direction relative to zero, either positive or negative.
Remember that:
o Like signs (+ +) or (- -) make a plus operation.
o Different signs (+ - ) or (- +) make a minus operation.
Also:
o When multiplying or dividing an even number of negatives, the solution will
be positive.
o When multiplying or dividing and odd number of negatives, the solution will
be negative.

Information sourced from school book-listed text book Jacaranda Plus Maths Quest 11

Apply New Knowledge:

2. Evaluate the expressions by first simplifying the mathematical symbols.
a. -73 - - 42 + 19
= -73 + 42 + 19
= -12
b. 150 + - 85 - - 96
= 150 - 85 + 96
= 161
3. Determine the value of each of the following expressions.
a. -3 -5 -10
= +15 -10
= -150
b. (-4 -9) (-7 6)
= +36 -42
36
= 42
=-

6
7

c. (-4)2 + -23
= 16 + -8
= 16 8
=8
New Knowledge (To be copied into your notebooks):
Scientific notation (or standard form)

Scientific notation is used to standardise

Information sourced from school book-listed text book Jacaranda Plus Maths Quest 11

o very large numbers, such as the mass of the Earth (5.972 1024 kg).
o very small numbers, such as the mass of an electron (9.10938291 10-31
kg).
A number in scientific notation is written in the form a 10b, where a is a real
number between 0 and 1, and b is an integer.

To convert from a basic number in scientific notation

Ste
p
1
2
3
4

Instructions
Identify the first non-zero value in the
original number.
Write that digit, followed by a decimal
point, then all remaining digits.
Multiply the decimal by 10.
Count the number of places the decimal
point is moved. The power of the base 10
will reflect the movement of the decimal
point. If the decimal point is moved to
the left, the power will be positive. If it is
moved to the right, the power will be
negative.

Example 1:
7256
7

Example 2:
0.008923
8

7.256

8.923

7.256 10
7.256 103

8.923 10
8.923 10-3

To convert from scientific notation to a basic number

Ste
p
1
2a

2b

Instructions
Look to see if the exponent is
positive or negative.
If positive, rewrite the number
without the decimal point, adding
zeros behind the last number to fill
in the necessary number of place
values.
In this case, move the decimal point
5 to the right as the power is +5.
If negative, rewrite the number
without the decimal point, adding
zeros in front of the last number to
fill in the necessary number of place
values.

Example 1:
2.007 105
Positive

Example 2: 9.71
10-4
Negative

200700

0.000971

Information sourced from school book-listed text book Jacaranda Plus Maths Quest 11

In this case, move the decimal point

4 to the left as the power is -4.
Double check by counting the
number of places the decimal point
has moved.
This should match the value of the
power.

You may also see your calculator giving you an answer like 1.036E-4, this is
1.036 104 .

the same as

Alternatively your calculator may give you an answer that says 1.24E12, this
is

12

1.24 10

Please note that it is not acceptable to answer in this calculator format with
E in it in your assessments.
Only basic numeral or scientific form is acceptable.
Rounding to a given number of significant figures
To determine which digits are significant, remember the following:
All digits greater than zero are significant.
Leading zeros can be ignored (they are placeholders and are not significant)
Eg. 0.003651 leading zeros are ignored, so this has 4 significant figures
Zeros included between other values are significant.
Eg. 70.036 zeros between other digits are significant, so this has 5 significant
figures.
Zeros included after decimal digits are significant.
Eg. 5.320 zeros included after decimal digits are significant, so this has 4
significant figures.
Trailing zeros for integers are not significant (unless specified otherwise).
Eg. 450 000 trailing zeros are not significant, so this has 2 significant figures.
78 000.0 the zero after the decimal point is considered significant, so the
zeros between the other numbers are also significant; this has 6 significant
figures.
Apply New Knowledge:
4. With reference to the following values:
i.
Identify the number of significant figures.
ii.
Round correct to 3 significant figures.
a. 19 080
i. 19 080 has 4 significant figures (the last zero is a trailing zero, so not
significant)
Information sourced from school book-listed text book Jacaranda Plus Maths Quest 11

ii. 19 080 = 19 100 correct to 3 significant figures (round just like with
decimal places)
b. 0.000 076 214
i. 0.000 076 214 has 5 significant figures (leading zeros are not
significant)
ii. 0.000 076 214 = 0.000 0762 correct to 3 significant figures
5. Complete the following:
a. Calculate 42.6 59.7 2.2, rounding the answer correct to 1 decimal
place.
42.6 59.7 2.2 = 5595.084
5595.1
b. Redo the calculation by rounding the original values correct to 1
significant figure.
42.6 59.7 2.2 40 60 2
4800
c. Comparing your two answers, would the approximate value be
considered a reasonable result?
There is a great difference between the exact calculation and the approximate
one, so the approximate answer would not be considered a reasonable result.
Goal Review:
Rate yourself again on your knowledge of the topic now.
Rate yourself on how much effort you put in this lesson.

Information sourced from school book-listed text book Jacaranda Plus Maths Quest 11