Module 1

Introduction to Arithmetic

LESSON 1: Understanding Numbers, Integers, fractions, decimals, Place value and number forms

In this lesson, students will delve into the foundational understanding of numbers. The focus will be on
three main types of numbers: integers, fractions, and decimals.

1. Integers:

• Definition of integers (whole numbers and their opposites).

Integers are a set of whole numbers and their opposites. They include positive
whole numbers, zero, and negative whole numbers. In other words, integers are
the numbers we use for counting, including zero, as well as their negative
counterparts.

• Introduction to positive and negative numbers.

Examples of Integers:

1. Positive Integers: These are whole numbers greater than zero.

Examples: 1, 2, 3, 100, 589.

2. Zero: It is neither positive nor negative but is still considered an integer.

Example: 0.

3. Negative Integers: These are whole numbers less than zero.

Examples: -1, -5, -100, -789.

• Basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) with integers.

1. Addition: Combining positive and negative integers. For example, 2+(−5) =−3

2. Subtraction: Finding the difference between positive and negative integers. For
example, 8−(−3) =11

3. Multiplication: Multiplying integers results in a positive or negative product

based on the signs. For example, (−4) ×3=−12

4. Division: Dividing integers involves rules for positive and negative quotients. For
example, (−15) ÷5=−3
2. Fractions:

• Definition and components of a fraction

A fraction is a mathematical representation of a part of a whole. It consists of

two main components

1. Numerator: The numerator is the top part of the fraction and represents the
number of parts we have.

2. Denominator: The denominator is the bottom part of the fraction and represents
the total number of equal parts that make up a whole.
3
Example: In the fraction , 3 is the numerator, and 5 is the denominator. It
5
signifies three parts out of five.

• Recognition of different types of fractions (proper, improper, and mixed numbers).

1. Proper Fractions:

A proper fraction has a numerator smaller than its denominator.

2 5
Example: ,
3 8

2. Improper Fractions:

An improper fraction has a numerator equal to or greater than its denominator.

7 11
Example: ,
4 9

3. Mixed Numbers:
A mixed number is a whole number combined with a proper fraction.

1 3
Example: 1 , 3
2 4

• Equivalence and simplification of fractions.

1. Equivalence of Fractions:

Different fractions can represent the same value. To determine

equivalence, multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the
same non-zero number.
1 2
Example: =
2 4

2. Simplification of Fractions:
 Simplifying a fraction involves reducing it to its simplest form by dividing
both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor.
6 2
Example: simplifies to
9 3

• Introduction to adding and subtracting fractions.

1. Adding Fractions:

To add fractions, find a common denominator, add the numerators, and keep the
denominator the same.
2 5 7
Example: + =
3 3 3

2. Subtracting Fractions:

To subtract fractions, find a common denominator, subtract the numerators, and keep
the denominator the same.
5 2 3
Example: − =
8 8 8

3. Decimals:

• Definition and structure of decimals.

Decimals are a numeric system that extends the place value system of whole numbers to
include parts smaller than one. A decimal number is composed of two main parts

1. Integer Part: This is the whole number part to the left of the decimal point.

2. Decimal Part: This is the part to the right of the decimal point, representing fractions
of a whole.

Example: In the decimal 3.14, 3 is the integer part, and 14 is the decimal part, indicating
14 hundredths.

• Conversion between decimals and fractions.

Decimal to Fraction:

To convert a decimal to a fraction, identify the place value of the last digit and express it
as the numerator over the appropriate power of 10.
75 3
Example: 0.75 can be written as and simplified to
100 4

• Arithmetic operations with decimals (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

• Real-world examples involving decimal calculations.

 4. Place Value and Number Forms:

• Understanding the concept of place value.

Place value is the value of a digit based on its position or place in a number. It helps
us understand the relative worth of digits in a number.

In the decimal system, each digit's place represents a power of 10. For instance, in
the number 345, the digit 5 represents 5 ones, the digit 4 represents 4 tens (10s), and the
digit 3 represents 3 hundreds (100s).

• Reading and writing numbers in standard, expanded, and word forms.

Standard Form: This is the usual way of writing numbers with digits. For
example, 345 is written in standard form as 345.

Expanded Form: In expanded form, each digit of a number is shown as the sum
of its place value. For example, 345 in expanded form is 300+40+5.

Word Form: In word form, numbers are written out in words. For example, 345
in word form is "three hundred forty-five".

• Practice in identifying the place value of digits in various numbers.

In the number 345, the place value of 5 is ones, the place value of 4 is tens, and
the place value of 3 is hundreds.

Similarly, in the number 6,789, the place value of 9 is ones, the place value of 8
is tens, the place value of 7 is hundreds, the place value of 6 is thousands, and so on.

• Application of place value understanding in solving problems and real-life scenarios.

Place value understanding is crucial for various mathematical operations such as

addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

In real-life scenarios, understanding place value helps in tasks like handling

money (for example, counting dollars and cents), measuring distances (like kilometers
and meters), and interpreting large numbers in scientific notation.

Examples:

Standard Form: 345

Expanded Form: 300+40+5

Word Form: "three hundred forty-five"

Place Value of Digits in 6,789:

9 is in the ones place.

8 is in the tens place.

 7 is in the hundreds place.

6 is in the thousands place.

Application: If you have 345 and you spend 125, you can calculate your
remaining balance by subtracting 125 from 345, understanding that you're subtracting
from the hundreds, tens, and ones place value positions.