Story of Number

Vrunda Prabhu (BCC), Bronislaw Czarnocha (HCC)

January 18, 2011

1
Story of Number, January 2011 2

Fundamentals
Problem 1. In each of the following, find the missing values:

1. 4 feet = .... inches

2. 60 inches = ..... feet
3. 2 ft. 3 in. = .... in.
4. 42 in. = ....ft.
5. 4.2 kg = ....g
6. 1970 mg = ....g
7. 15g 5 mg = ....g
8. 6804 m = ....km
9. 3.42 L = ...ml
10. 1 L 127 ml = ....L
Problem 2. Add the following (Hint: arrange columnwise before computing an-
swer)

1. 5 lb. 7 oz. + 2 lb. 9 oz.

2. 3 hr. 45 min. + 2 hr. 30 min.
3. 2 ft. 9 in. + 2 ft. 8 in.
4. 3 yd. 6 in. + 2 yd. 11 in. + 4 yd. 9 in.
5. 12 min. 15 sec. + 15 min. 9 sec. + 26 min. 12 sec.
6. 5 yd. 2 ft. 10 in. + 3 yd. 1 ft. + 4 yd. 2 ft. 9 in.
Problem 3. Subtract the following (Recall hint in previous problem)

1. 6 qt. 1 pt. - 5 qt. 1 pt.

2. 8 gal. 2 qt. - 5 gal. 3 qt.
Story of Number, January 2011 3

3. 4 hr. 30 min. 15 sec. - 2 hr. 40 min. 30 sec.

4. 23 hr. 30 min. - 15 hr. 46 min.
5. 14 ft. 10 in. - 9 ft. 11 in.
Problem 4. Multiply

1. 6 ft. 5 in. by 4
2. 7 hr. 15 min. by 6
3. 3 gal. 3 qt. 1 pt. by 3
4. 2 yd. 8 in. by 7
5. 10 lb. 6 oz. by 3
6. 2 hr. 5 min. 30 sec. by 4
Problem 5. Divide

1. 12 hr. 30 min. by 5
2. 8 ft. 9 in. by 3
3. 4 qt. 1 pt. by 3
4. 7 yd. 24 in. by 4
5. 35 min. 12 sec. by 6
6. 6 hr. 30 min. 20 sec. by 5
Story of Number, January 2011 4

Self Exploration of Number — picture to be inserted.

Story of Number, January 2011 5

Figure 1: Number, Arithmetic-Algebra Concept Map

Story of Number : Ratio and Proportion

Problem 6. There are 24 M&M’s in a packet. You share them with your sister
in the ratio 5: 3 (five to three). How many will you get and how many will your
sister?
Problem 7. You and your brother share a bundle of money in the ratio 3:4. Your
brother is supposed to get $9,000. How much do you get?
Problem 8. Ali, Bala and Paul are aged 14, 16 and 18 years respectively. They get
shares of money in the ratio of their ages. Given that Ali receives $1,050, calculate
how much each of the other two receive and the total amount shared
Story of Number, January 2011 6

Problem 9. Draw a number line, labelling the unit, and the numbers 2, 3, · · · , 12.
Indicate the following ratios,

(a) 1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1
(b) 8:4
(c) 6:6
(d) 1:11
(e) 4:4:4
(f) 4:2:1:5
(g) 5:7
Problem 10. A number is twice the second number. What is the ratio of the two
numbers to each other?
Problem 11. A number is a third of a second number. What is the ratio of the two
numbers to each other?

Number Types, name and pattern.

1. counting numbers 1, 2, 3, · · ·
2. 0
3. unit is the scale that is used to measure the distance between the numbers 0
and 1 when the two are placed on the number line
4. even numbers 2, 4, 6, · · ·
5. odd numbers 1, 3, 5, · · ·
6. prime numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, · · ·
7. integers · · · , −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3 · · ·
8. composite numbers
Story of Number, January 2011 7

The PRIME NUMBER PYRAMID below is constructed for help with multiplica-
tion tables. One starts by enumerating 2, 3 etc at the bottom of the page. When
continuing with each successive counting number, one checks if it is a multiple of
the numbers listed before and then inserts the new number into all columns of the
preceding number in the lowermost row of which it is a multiple. The pyramid
can be created by students upto 100 or so.

INSERT PYRAMID

Divisibility Tests

(a) Every even number is a multiple of 2

(b) Every number whose digts add to a multiple of 3 is a multiple of 3
(c) Every number that has either 0 or 5 in the units place is a multiple of 5

Fact: Every integer greater than 1 can be expressed as a product of primes (with
perhaps only one factor).
Problem 12. Write each number as a product of its prime factors: 26, 64, 315,
90, 32
Problem 13. Reduce the following to the simplest ratios by writing the prime
factorization of each number of the ratio

(a) 42:84
(b) 33:55
(c) 39:51
(d) 33:57
(e) 44:66
(f) 80:180
(g) 36:60
(h) 210:270
Story of Number, January 2011 8

(i) 6:9
(j) 15:20
(k) 12:16
(l) 14:21
(m) 30:40
(n) 12:15
(o) 24:32
(p) 36:90
(q) 10:18
(r) 16:24
(s) 32:40
(t) 135:315
Problem 14. Consider a map with the scale of 1 in. on the map corresponding to
15 km. in reality, i.e., the scale is 1 in:15 km.

(a) How many inches on the map is an actual distance of 45 km?

(b) If the distance between two places on the map is 8 in., what is the actual
distance between the two places?
Problem 15. Assume you have two maps. Map A has the scale 1 inch : 10 km,
and the scale of map B is in the ratio 1 inch : 20 km. Then arise the following
questions:

(a) The distance on map A is 2.5 inches. What is this distance on map B?
(b) What is the ratio of distances on the two maps which correspond to 60 km. in
reality?
(c) The ratio between two distances on the two maps is 3:2. What is the ratio of
the corresponding distances in reality?
Story of Number, January 2011 9

(d) The ratio of distances l and k in reality is 1:4. What is the ratio of the
distances lA : kB where lA corresponds to the distance l on mp A and kB
corresponds to distance k on map B.
(e) Generalize the last problem and obtain a general formula that can be derived
for arbitrary ratio l : k.
Story of Number, January 2011 10

FRACTIONS GRID
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

16 17 18 19
13 14 15 20
12 17 18 19
10 11 14 15 16
9 12 13 17 18
8 10 11 15 16 20
7 9 13 14 18 19
6 8 12 16 17
11 15 16 17
5 7 10 14 15 20
9 13 14 19
6 12 13 18
4 8 11 12 17 16
11 16 15
5 7 10 15 14 20
10 14 13 19
3 6 9 9 13 12 18 15
17 14
4 8 8 12 11 16 20
5 10 15 13 19
7 11 12 18 14
7 9 14 11 17
10 13 20
2 4 6 8 13 10 16 12 19
3 6 9 12 9 15 11 18 13
7 17 12 20
5 11 14 10
8 11 19
3 8 6 9 16 12
13 10 18
5 10 7 15 11 20
4 12 8 9 17
7 5 14 10 19
6 16 11
9 7 8 9 18 20
11 13 10
15 17 19
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 9 20
6 7 8
5 15 17 19 9
4 13 7 8
3 11 6 20
9 5 16 18 8
7 14 7
2 4 12 6 19 8
5 17 7
5 3 10 15 6 20
4 13 18 7
8 5 16 6 19 7
11 14
1 2 3 4 5 17 6 20
3 6 9 12 4 15 5 18 6
3 16 5 19 6
2 10 13 4 20
3 17 5
7 14 4 18 5
1 2 11 3 15 4 5
4 19
4 8 2 12 3 16 4 20
13 3 17 4
1 9 2 14 3 18 4
2 3 19
5 10 15 3 20
1 11 2 16 3
2 17 3 3
6 1 12 2 18 19
1 13 2 2 20
7 14 2
8 1 15 16 2 2
9 1 1 17 18 2
10 1 1 19 20
11 12 1 1 1
13 14 1 1 1 1
15 16 17 18 19 20

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Story of Number, January 2011 11

Problem 16. The construction of the Fraction Grid can be seen as an application
of the ratio.

(a) Note that the first line segment is not divided at all, the second is divided
into two equal pieces, the third into three equal pieces and so forth. If we
were to add one piece from the second last segment and one from the last line
segment, would it be easy to indicate the answer?
(b) What do you observe about the size of the subunits as one moves from left to
right?
(c) What is the ratio of the subunit of the second to the subunit of the fourth line
segment?
(d) What about the ratio of the subunit of the second line segment to the subunit
of the fourth, eighth and sixteenth line segment?

Thanks to Peter Yom of Bronx CC for providing the beginnings of the Tex
code to create FractionsGrid, as well as the pictures that appear in the context
of similarity of triangles, area and perimeter.
Problem 17. Divide the line segment on the grid below in the ratio 1:1

0 16

Problem 18. Divide the line segment on the grid below in the ratio 1:1:1

0 15

1. How many equal parts are there?

2. How would you divide the same line segment in the ratio 2:1?
Story of Number, January 2011 12

Problem 19. Divide the line segment on the grid below in the ratio 1:2

0 15

Problem 20. Divide the line segment on the grid below in the ratio 1:1:1:1

0 16

1. How many equal parts are there?

2. How would you divide the same line segment in the ratio 2:2?
3. How would you divide the same line segment in the ratio 1:3?

Problem 21. Divide the line segment on the grid below in the ratio 1:3

0 16

Problem 22. Divide the line segment on the grid below in the ratio 3:5

0 16
Story of Number, January 2011 13

Problem 23. Divide the line segment on the grid below in the ratio 1:2:5

0 16

Definition: A proportion is an equality of ratios.

Direct and inverse proportion.

Problem 24. A 6-foot tall man casts a 4-foot shadow at the same time and place
as a tree casts a 20-foot shadow. How tall is the tree?
Problem 25. 7 builders complete 10 houses in a month. How many houses could
35 builders complete in the same time?
Problem 26. The ratio of a man’s weight on Mars compared with his weight on
earth is 2 to 5. How much would a 180-pound man weigh on Mars? What would
your weight be on Mars?
Problem 27. A market is selling three cans of beets for 99 cents. How much will
12 cans cost at the same rate?
1
Problem 28. On a map, 2 inch represents 12 miles. How many miles would 2 41
inches represent?
Problem 29. Five workers, each working 8 hours per day, can dig a rectangular
trench 600 m long, 0.9 m wide and 1 m deep in 3 days. Find the number of workers
needed to dig a trench 1.2 km long, 1.1 m wide, and 1.8 m deep in 3 days. Calculate
the labor cost given that each worker is paid $5 per hour. (Assume all the workers
worked 8 hours per day for 3 days).
Problem 30. The cost of gas for a 240-km journey for a car which runs 12 km on
each liter of gas is $24. What would be the cost of gas for a 500-km journey for a
van which runs 11 km on each liter of gas?
Problem 31. Twelve women working 7 hours a day can finish a piece of work in 8
days. How many hours a day must 16 women work in order to finish the job in 14
days?
Story of Number, January 2011 14

Problem 32. Is there a connection of the equation: 7 × 12 × 8 = 84 × 8 = 672 =

x × 16 × 14 with any problem above?

Similarity

Similar triangles are those with the same shape but not necessarily the same size.
Corresponding angles of similar triangles are equal, i.e. have the same measure.
Corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional.
Problem 33. Given 4ABC ∼ 4RST . Find x and y.

S
Q
B y
Q
Q 8
Q
5 Q 4
Q Q
Q Q
A x
Q
C R 10
Q

Problem 34. Triangle ABC is similar to triangle ADE. Find the lengths of the
sides from the given lengths by using proportionality of sides of similar triangles.

D
Q
Q
BQ Q 9
Q
Q8 Q
Q
Q
A C
x
Q
E 6
Q

Problem 35. In the given triangle, divide the base into half to create two similar
triangles. Find the lengths of the sides of the new triangle.

Z6
Z
x Z
ZZ
4

Problem 36. Given ABkCD, find DE.

 Story of Number, January 2011 15
C

JJ
5
A 12
J
D

J
J
E
J

8J
J

Average, Perimeter and Area

Problem 37. Find the perimeter and area of this figure:

6 $

4
%
6

Problem 38. Find the perimeter of the shape.

5 cm

7 cm
4 cm

12 cm

Problem 39. Find the perimeter and area of this figure:

6
S
4 S
S
S
S
9
Problem 40. Find the average of the following numbers....
Story of Number, January 2011 16

Problem 41. Given the average of 5 numbers and given 4 of the numbers how do
we find the fifth number?
Story of Number, January 2011 17

Story of Number : Fraction

Fraction Definition A fraction (or rational number) is a number that can be writ-
ten as ab , where a and b are integers and b is not zero. Thus, we have

a
(i) a pair of integers a and b, or written as b and
(ii) a Whole.

The number b informs about the total number of equal parts the Whole is divided
into; the number a informs about the number of those equal parts under consider-
ation. b is the denominator and a is the numerator of the fraction ab .
Problem 42. Use the definition of fraction above to determine if the numbers are
rational numbers: 43 , 5, 0, −6
Problem 43. (a) Note the dark line segment in the figure below indicates the size
of the fraction 88 . The division mark and label 88 indicate the position of the
fraction 88 . What is another number representation of 88 ?
8
(b) In what ratio does the 8 divide the line segment of length 2 units?
(c) Locate the position of the following fractions 81 , 1 83 , 11 13
8, 8 in the figure below.
3

8
8

0
Problem 44. In each of the grids below, locate the following numbers:
Story of Number, January 2011 18

(a) 1 25 , 57 , 12
5

(b) 2 43 , 1 41 , 11
4

Problem 45. Estimate the position of the following fractions 1 19 , 1 32 , 13 , 4

3 on the
same number line in the grid below:
2

9
9

0
Story of Number, January 2011 19

Problem 46. Estimate the position of the following fractions on the grid below:
1 2 12 12
6, 3, 6 , 3 .

Problem 47. A number line is given below with 75 indicated. Find where is 1, 1
10 ,
7 19 3
10 , 10 , 1 10 . Extend the line and use the approprite labeling if needed.

 -
0 7
5

Note: The problems below are meant to be done at the beginning of the exploration
with the FG while investigating patterns with it.
Problem 48. Locate the length determined by the following numbers on the Frac-
tionsGrid:

1
(a) 2
1
(b) 3
1
(c) 4
3
(d) 4
2
(e) 17
Story of Number, January 2011 20

Arrange the above numbers in increasing order.

Problem 49. Find a collection of fractions from the FractionsGrid that have the
same size as the ones indicated below: (Hint: Find the equivalent fractions for the
ones given below)

1
(a) 2
1
(b) 4
1
(c) 3
3
(d) 4
2
(e) 3

In each case what operation is needed to transform the given fraction into an
equivalent one you found? The fractions are called equivalent because they rep-
resent the same length or size written in different fractional units.
10
Problem 50. On the FractionsGrid, find all fractions equivalent to 15

Problem 51. Which of the following pairs of fractions are equivalent, i.e., of the
same size?

4 10
(a) 6 and 15
21 12
(b) 28 and 16
20 35
(c) 48 and 84
5 34
(d) 16 and 111

Problem 52. Which of the two fractions is smaller, and why? Hint: Use the Frac-
tionsGrid, if needed.

4 9
(a) 10 , 10
1 1
(b) 16 , 4
5 1
(c) 12 , 3
Story of Number, January 2011 21

Problem 53. Complete the following, by observing the patterns in the FG if needed:

3 ?
(a) 5 = 20
30 3
(b) 100 = ?
4 ?
(c) 13 = 169
250 1
(d) 750 = ?
7 105
(e) 9 = ?
17 ?
(f) 9 = 99

Problem 54. Demonstrate by geometry the equality below:

1 3
(a) 2 = 6
1 3
(b) 3 = 9
2 6
(c) 5 = 15

Problem 55. Which of the three fractions is largest?

(a) 17 , 76 , 47
(b) 12 , 41 , 13
(c) 34 , 87 , 16
3

4 2 5
(d) 15 , 3 , 9

Problem 56. Arrange the following fractions in ascending order:

11 5 3
(a) 12 , 8 , 4

(b) 23 , 94 , 56
(c) 13 , 74 , 12
7 5 2
(d) 11 , 6 , 3

Problem 57. Arrange the following in descending order:

Story of Number, January 2011 22

(a) 34 , 65 , 59 , 12
7

(b) 34 , 54 , 10
7 11
, 12
(c) 23 , 12
5 1 5
, 2, 8
(d) 79 , 65 , 13 2
18 , 3

Problem 58. Estimate the position of 34 , 2 41 , 10

4 on the interval [0,3] of the number
line, shown below. Note that 2 and 3 are indicated on the number line. Describe
the process through which you estimated the positions of fractions and mixed num-
bers.
 3
Story of Number, January 2011 23

0
7
Problem 59. A number line is given below with 5 indicated. Find where is 1, 15 .

 -
0 7
5

Problem 60. On a well-drawn number line, position the following:

(a) 14 , 42 , 34 , 44 , 1, 12 . Explain what you understand about the number 43 . What is

its relationship with the numbers 3 and 4 geometrically? Make sure you pay
attention to the unit, and the spacing of the numbers on the number line with
respect to the size of the unit.
(b) 13 , 33 , 63 , 2, 39 , 12
3 ,4

(c) 13 , 61 , 12
1

Problem 61. Draw a diagram to show that

1 3
(a) 3 = 9
2 6
(b) 5 = 15

Problem 62. Explain in a sentence or two, how one determines whether a fraction
is smaller than another fraction. Think about explaining to third graders.
Story of Number, January 2011 24

Problem 63. How would you compare the fractions 74 , 59 according to size?
Problem 64. How would you compare the fractions a1 and 1b , if we do not know
the numerical values of a and b? How can we formulate a general rule for adding
fractions when the denominators are distinct numbers?

Note: We draw the unit interval horizontal in some problems and vertical in oth-
ers to provide ease of use either way. Both represent a piece of the number line
between the numbers 0 and 1.
Problem 65. Find 38 + 84 and explain how you found it.

8
8 1

0
Problem 66. Label the following
1 1

0 0
1 1
Problem 67. 4 − 5
 1 1
Story of Number, January 2011 25
4
3 5
4
3
5
2
4
2
5
1
4 1
5

0 0

(a) The smallest division in the picture above is the unit.How many units are
there in each of the line segments? What is the size of each units?
(b) How many of those units are in 15 ?
(c) How many in 41 ?
1
(d) How much more is 4 than 15 ?
1 1
(e) What is 4 - 5 ?
1 2
(f) What is 4 + 5 ?

Problem 68. Compute 1 14 − 2

5

2
(a) Which is bigger: 5 or 14 ?
2
(b) Can you subtract 5 from 14 ?
2
(c) Can you subtract 5 from 1 14 ?
Story of Number, January 2011 26
1 1 1

2
5
1
4 1
5

0 0 0

1 41 − 2
5 =
Problem 69. Compute 2− 34 using the grids below. First explain clearly to yourself
the meaning of all the components of the diagram below. In particular, make sure
that you pay attention to the operation indicated in the problem.
1 1 1

3
4

2
4

1
4

0 0 0
Problem 70. Compute 3 41 − 1 52 using the grids below. Set up the problem correctly
and check that you have set it up right before proceeding? Write the process in
your own words.
Story of Number, January 2011 27
1 1 1 1 1 1

4
3 5
4

3
5
2
4
2
5

1
4 1
5

0 0 0 0 0 0
Steps

1
(a) 4 > 15 , but 1
4 < 2
5

(b) 1 41 > 2
5
1
(c) 4 and 51 are two different sized pieces. We need a common measuring piece.
Which grid would be useful to use as a measuring device to measure both 14
and 15 .
(d) That is, which grid is useful to us that has a tick mark at the same height/level
as 14 and also as 52 ?
(e) The first such grid is the twentieths grid.
1 5 1 4 2 8
(f) 4 = 20 and 5 = 20 , 5 = 20 .

(g) 1 41 = 5
4 = 25
20

(h) 1 41 − 2
5 = 25
20 − 8
20 = 17
20

(i) The given problem was

3 41 − 1 52
Story of Number, January 2011 28

=
2 41 − 2
5
=
25 8
1 20 − 20
=
1 17
20

Problem 71. Compute 2 − 58 using the grids below.

1 1 1

7
8

6
8

5
8

4
8

3
8

2
8

1
8

0 0 0
Story of Number, January 2011 29

Problem 72. Compute 3 34 − 2 54

5
Problem 73. Compute 3 − 12

Problem 74. (a) How many fourths are in 12 ?

(b) How many eighths are in 21 ?
(c) How many sixths are in 13 ?
(d) How many sixths are in 23 ?
(e) How many eights are in 43 ?
(f) How many tenths are in 52 ?
Writing Exercise 1. (a) What is the sequence of thinking steps you have to carry
1
out to determine how many sixths are there in 24 ?
(b) What are the thinking steps you have to carry out to determine how many
a
sixths are in the fraction 6b ?
Problem 75. Find the least common multiples of the following:

(a) 4 and 5
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 6 and 4
Problem 76. How many fifths are there in 43 ?
Problem 77. Label the following
1 1

0 0
Story of Number, January 2011 30
1 1
Problem 78. 4 − 5
1 1

4
3 5
4
3
5
2
4
2
5
1
4 1
5

0 0

Problem 79. (a) How many twenthieths are there in 14 ?

(b) How many twentieths are there in 15 ?
(c) How many twentieths are there in 14 + 51 ?
(d) How many twentieths are there in 34 + 54 ?
1 1
(e) What is 4 - 5 ?
1 2
(f) What is 4 + 5 ?
Problem 80. Describe in words how would you do the following subtraction: 2 ab −
5 a 5
b , given that a < 5 and b > 5. Are b and b proper or improper?

Problem 81. Show all the work, including the grids you need to draw for the
following problems:

(a) 3 41 − 2 51
(b) 2 65 − 3
4
5 9
(c) 1 10 − 20
23 45
(d) 1 100 − 100

Problem 82. Describe all steps you need to do the subtraction : 2 ab − dc , a < b
and c < d
Story of Number, January 2011 31

Problem 83. Compute 2 14 + 1 31

Definition The fraction ab is the reciprocal of the fraction ab . Reciprocal fractions

always fulfill ab × ab = 1
5 2
Example: 2 is the reciprocal of 5 and 25 × 2
5 =1
Problem 84. (a) What is the reciprocal of 34 ?
(b) What is the reciprocal of 2 12 ?
3
(c) Is 5 a reciprocal of 56 ? Explain.
Problem 85. (a) What is one-fourth of 2?
(b) What is three-fourth of 8?
(c) What is 43 rd of 8?
(d) What is 43 rd of 3
4 of 8?
Problem 86. (a) What is one-third of 41 ?
1
(b) What is 6 of 23 ?
1
(c) What is 15 of 3 34 ?
Problem 87. Critical Thinking Exercise: Beginnings of Division of Fractions

(a) How many or what part of a halves/f are/is in 14 ? How would you express this
as a division?
(b) How many halves are in 18 ?
(c) How many thirds are in 61 ?

Note: By the above exercises we see that

(i) 12 ( 12 ) = 1
4

(ii) 14 ( 12 ) = 1
8

(iii) 12 ( 16 ) = 1
3
Story of Number, January 2011 32
1 1
(iv) 2 × 4 = 2
1 1
(v) 2 × 6 = 3

Problem 88. John and Jim are working on a common task. Jim had put 3 41 hours
into the task and John had put 2 85 hours into it. How much longer did Jim work on
the task?
5
Problem 89. Maria had bought 3 12 lb. of grain and 2 58 lb. of vegetables for dinner.
How many lbs. did she buy for dinner?
Problem 90. (a) Miguel bought 58 of a pizza and ate 15 of it. How much of a pizza
did Miguel eat?
1
(b) Pedro ate 3 of a reminder. How much pizza did Pedro eat?
(c) How much pizza was left for Juana?
Problem 91. Irene and Arlen are running in the park. Irene runs 4 17
25 miles and
4
Arlene runs 4 5 miles. Who runs more and how much more?
Problem 92. Chris has 2 14 lb of a banana cake. He divides it into portions of 34 lb.
How many such portions can he make out of his cake?
Problem 93. A rectangular stamp has the dimensions of length = 3 43 cm, and width
= 2 13 cm.

(a) Calculate its perimeter and area.

(b) Find the new dimensions of the stamp if the old dimensions were decreased
to 45 of the old dimensions.
(c) How much shorter is the new width and length than the old dimensions?
Problem 94. Travis goes skating at a rate of 8 14 miles per hour for 2
3 of an hour.
How far does he go?
Problem 95. Sheila’s pick-up truck gets 16 miles per gallon of gasoline. At this
rate how far can she drive with 5 43 gallons of gasoline?
Problem 96. Juana typed 225 words in 7 21 minutes. How many words did she type
per minute?
Story of Number, January 2011 33

Question 1. What is the whole? What fraction of the whole are we interested
in? What is the relationship of the whole across different representations? How
does the fraction of the whole appear in the different representations? How can
information be translated across different representations?

We consider 4 representations:

(1) Part of a whole (1) represented via Fractions

(2) Part of a whole (1) represented by Decimals
(3) Part of a whole (100% ) represented by Percents
(4) Part of a whole (360◦ ) represented by a Pie Graph or Circle graph

To easily compare across representations, each of the above 4 is shown on a verti-

cal line. Note a circle has a total of 360◦ .
Story of Number, January 2011 34

FRACTION DECIMAL PERCENT CIRCLE MEASURE

1 1 100% 360◦

90%
4
5 0.8 80% 288◦

70%
3
5 0.6 60% 216◦

50%
2
5 0.4 40% 144◦

30%
1
5 0.2 20% 72◦

10%

0 0 0 0
Story of Number, January 2011 35

Decimal Fractional notation Common fraction

3 3 53
5.3 5+ 10 5 10 or 100

0 2 2
0.02 0+ 10 + 100 100

0 1 0 3 103 20,103
2.0103 2+ 10 + 100 + 1000 + 10,000 2 10,000 OR 10,000

6 6 36
−3.6 −(3 + 10 ) −3 10 OR − 10
Complete the following table:
Percent Fraction

100%

25%

50%

75%

33 13 %

66 23 %

10%

1%
Story of Number, January 2011 36

Decimal Percent Fraction

99.44%

6 58

36.5%

34%
Problem 97. Complete the following table:
1.27

0.21

130

2
5

One-step problems
Problem 98. What number is 88% of 1000?
Problem 99. What percent of 436 is 87.2?
Problem 100. Which number is 35% of 126?

Two-step problems
Problem 101. The cost of a birthday celebration at McDonald’s is $40.50. A 15%
tax is added to the cost. What is the total cost?
Problem 102. By decreasing the length of the side by one unit, the area of a
square decreased from 100m2 to 81m2 . Find the percent decrease in the area.
(Think what is the base here, what is the amount in the formula.)
Problem 103. Find the original price of a pair of shoes if the sales price is $78
after a 25% discount.
Problem 104. Given numbers in fractional, decimal form, arrange in increasing
order
Story of Number, January 2011 37

Story of Number in Abstract

Solving Equations

Solve the following equations

(a) x + 5 = 8
(b) x − 7 = 2
(c) 2x = 8
x
(d) 3 =4
x
(e) 6 = −4
(f) 3.04 = x − 2.96
(g) 25 = 8x − 15
(h) 9x + 2 = −1
(i) 5 − 8x = −5
(j) 0.3x − 1.8 = −5.04
(k) 3x − 4 = 8 − x
(l) 7 − 4x = 4x − 9
(m) 3x + 15 − 6x − 10 = 9x − 6 − 3x + 5

The square of a number is the product of the number with itself.

Problem 105. Fnd the square of each of the following numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 0, -1,
Number Square of Number

-2 Arrange in the table:

Story of Number, January 2011 38

The square root of a number x is that number which when multiplied by itself
gives us the number x whose square root we want. The square root of the number
√
x is denoted symbolically as x
Problem 106. Find the square root of 0, 4, 9, 16, 25 and arrange in the table
Number Square root of Number

Problem 107. Evaluate if possible:

√
1. 64
√
2. 100
√ √
3. 25 + 49
√ √
4. 16 + 81

To find the square root of primes is not possible using integers. We approximate
the square root to a degree of accuracy.
Problem 108. How would you estimate the square root of 2?

The cube of a number is the product of the number with itself three times. The
cube of x is x × x × x and is denoted by x3 .
Problem 109. Evaluate if possible:
√
3
1. 64
√
3
2. 1000
√
3
√
3. 125 + 3 64
√ √
4. 3 8 + 3 27
Story of Number, January 2011 39

Rules of Exponents

1. an × am = an+m
2. an ÷ am = an−m
3. (an )m = anm
4. a0 = 1
1 √
5. a n = n a
6. a−n = 1
an

Problem 110. Evaluate if possible:

√ √
1. 3
64 + 42 − 33 + 144
√ √ √
2. 3
1000 + 4 625 − 36 + 22 − 33 + 42
√
3
√4
√
3. 125 64 + 3 64
√
3
√
3
4. 23 + 33
√
3
√
3
5. 26 + 39

Note The nth power of a number x is denoted by xn . The power n is also called
as the exponent and x is referred to as the base.
1 √ 1 √ 1 √
Notation x n is the same as n x. Thus 4 2 = 4 = 2, or 9 2 = 9 = 3.
Problem 111. Evaluate if possible
√
(a) 64
q
(b) − 19
√
3
(c) −8
√
7
(d) −128
√
(e) −81
Story of Number, January 2011 40
√
4
(f) −81
√
6
(g) −64
√
5
(h) 85
√
6
(i) 96
q
1
(j) 3
− 64
q
8
(k) 3
− 27
√
4
(l) x8
√
4
(m) a8 b4
p
(n) 8
y 40
p
(o) 9
y 36
p
(p) 36x8 y 4
p
(q) 49x2 y 8
√
3
(r) 8a6 b15
√
3
(s) −125x30
Problem 112. Write each of the following in simplest form using only positive
exponents:

1. ( 21 )3 × ( 21 )7
2. ( 21 )9 ÷ ( 21 )6
3. ( 32 )5 × ( 94 )2
4. ( 53 )7 ÷ ( 53 )7
5. ( 53 )−7 ÷ ( 35 )4
6. [( 56 )7 ]3
√
7. 3 27
Story of Number, January 2011 41
√ √
3
8. 3
a× a2
Problem 113. Combine like terms

(a) 8x3 + 4x3

(b) −2x2 + 4x2
(c) 5x − 2x + 4
(d) 14x3 − 8x3 + x
(e) 10x2 − 21x2 + x + 1
(f) 4x5 − 3x2 + 4x2 + 1
(g) 4x5 − 5x2 + 5x − 10
(h) 4 − 3x2 + 5x − 10
(i) 4(x2 − 5) + 5(x2 + 1)
(j) 2(x2 + x) − 3(x − x2 )

Addition and subtraction of polynomials

Multiplication and division of polynomials

Problem 114. Find the indicated products

(a) 5x2 multiplied with 3x

(b) (x − 5)(x + 5)
(c) (x + 4)(x − 4)
(d) (2x + 1)(2x − 1)
(e) (ax + by)(ax − by)
(f) (2x + x2 + x3 )(1 − x)
Story of Number, January 2011 42

Recall prime factorization of numbers

6=2×3

Prime factorization of polynomials In each of the following where do you see

the use of the prime factorization?

(a) x2 − 5x + 6 = (x − 3)(x − 2)
(b) x2 − a2 = (x − a)(x + a)
(c) x2 + 4x + 4 = (x + 2)2
(d)

Algebraic Fractions
1 3
Problem 115. (a) x+5 + x+5
8x+3
(b) 2x−1 −3
2
(c) a + 3 + 3a−5
3
(d) a − 2 + 2a+1
2 1
(e) x+5 + x−2
y−5 2y
(f) y+2 − 4y−1

Problem 116. Simplify

21x3 y
(a) 14x2 y 2

4x2
(b) 6x2 −8x
2y 2 −y−15
(c) 9−y 2

2x−1
Meaning of 1 as 2x−1

Problem 117. Solve the equations if possible and check your solution.

2 3 7
(a) x + 2x = 6
Story of Number, January 2011 43
5 1
(b) 3x +2= x
1 4
(c) x −3= x
4 −1
(d) x−2 = x+3
5−x 7 6
(e) x2 −1 + x+1 = x
1 2 −22
(f) 2x−1 + x−5 = 2x2 −11x+5

Problem 118. Solve each equation if possible and check your solution:
√
(a) x−2=7
√
(b) 2x + 5 = 5
√
(c) x = 6x + 7
√
(d) 7x + 8 = x
√
(e) y− y−3=5
√
(f) 2y − 4 + 2 = y
√
(g) y+1−1=y
√ √
(h) x−5=2+ x+3
√ √
(i) 2x + 9 − x + 1 = 2

Recall as many uses of zero as you can. Then answer the following:

1. 0 is called the additive identity because 0 + a = a, for any number a.

Explain what is the meaning of additive identity.
2. -a is called the additive inverse of a because a + (-a) = 0. Explain this
statement. What is the additive inverse of -3? of 5? of 0?

Instead of using particular numbers, we will let a, b, c be any real numbers.

The rules below are true for all real numbers.

Rules for Addition

Story of Number, January 2011 44

1. a + b = b + a Addition is commutative
2. (a + b) + c = a + (b + c) Addition is associative
3. a + 0 = a = 0 + a 0 is the additive identity
4. a + (−a) = 0 = −a + a Additive inverse of a is −a

Be careful. Students make mistakes with the order of operations. The conven-
tion is that multiplication and division dominates addition and subtraction. If
there are parenthesis they acquire the highest priority.

1. −5 + 10 − 3 =
2. +912 + 5 =
3. −7 + 4 + 5 − 3 =
4. −4(+3) =
5. +7(−2) =
6. −5(−8) =
7. +6(+9) =
8. −7(+4) + 6 =
9. +6(+8)(−3) =

Rules of Multiplication

1. a × b = b × a Multiplication is commutative
2. (a × b) × c = a × (b × c) Multiplication is associative
3. a × 1 = a = 1 × a 1 is the multiplicative identity
4. a × a1 = 1 = 1
a × a Multiplicative inverse of a is a1 . Here a is a non-zero
real number.

1. +65.1789.03 =
Story of Number, January 2011 45

2. −6x(−1.2)=

Distributivity of multiplication over addition

1. a × (b + c) = a × b + a × c
2. (b + c) × a = b × a + c × a

Simplify:

1. 2(3x + y)
2. (−1 − 8x) × 4

Operations on fractions

Here b and d are non-zero real numbers.

a c ad+bc
1. b + d = bd Addition of fractions.
a c ad−bc
2. b − d = bd Subtraction of fractions.
a c ac
3. b × d = bd Multiplication of fractions.
a c ad
4. b ÷ d = bc Division of fractions.

Difference of two squares

a2 − b2 = (a − b)(a + b)
Problem 119. Factor

(1) x2 − y 2
(2) 4x2 − y 2
(3) 9x2 − 25y 2
(4) 1 − x2
Story of Number, January 2011 46

(5) x2 − 1
(6) 16 − 81y 2
(7) 2 − x2
1
(8) 4 − y2
(9) x − y
(10) 49 x2 − 25 2
16 y

Graphing by Discovery
Note that the square of a number means the number multiplied by itself.

Complete the table below.

Number Square of Number

Note that the square root of a number A means the number which when multiplied
by itself will give the number A.

Complete the table below.

Number Square Root of Number

This is a conditional statement: If A is true then B. This means we must first check
whether A is true. If our answer is affirmative then we can assume that B is true.
Use this concept when completing the next table.
Number Number, if Number is non-negative and negative of number if number is nega
Story of Number, January 2011 47

Graph the different tables.