T4: Prime Factors

A prime number is a number that can only be divided by itself and 1. Prime numbers have two factors, which is
why 1 is not a prime number.
Prime numbers are the building blocks of mathematics. All other numbers can be written as products of prime
numbers.

2 120
3 60
2 20
2 10
5 5
Done. 1

120 = 2
3
x 3 x 5

Highest Common Factor
Express each number as a product of its prime factors (table) and write in index form
Multiply all the factors they have in common. Do the opposite to what the name suggests and pick the lowest
powers.

Lowest Common Multiple
Express each number as a product of its prime factors (table) and write in index form
Multiple by all the factors. Do the opposite to what the name suggests and pick the highest powers.

T4: Approximating to a number of Decimal Places

The first decimal place is the first number after the decimal point.
Rule:
If the next number is 5 or more, round up
If the next number is less than 5, leave it

T4: Approximating to a number of Significant Figures

The first significant figure is the first digit that is not zero. Any zeros afterwards are counted as significant figures.
Rule:
Start counting at the first non-zero digit to the specified amount
Look at the next number (the first unwanted digit)
If the number is less than 5, leave it
If the number is 5 or more, round up
Put in enough zeros to keep the number approximately the same size

T4: Percentage Increase or Decrease

A percentage increase or decrease is always given as a percentage of the original amount. This is also the
cause for percentage profit or loss.

% change = change % original x 100
% change = increase, decrease, profit, loss

T4: Reverse Percentage (original amount)

Start with final amount and work backwards to find original.

State percentage given
Find 1%
Find 100%

T4: Percentages and Finance

There are two types of interest:

Simple Interest: added amount stays the same
Compound Interest: added amount changes yearly

Key Words:
Appreciation: something going up in value
Depreciation: something going down in value

T4: Indices

Rules
Multiplying
o Add the powers: a
m
xa
n
=a
m+n

o X
3
xX
6
=X
9

Dividing
o Subtract the powers: a
m
/a
n
=a
m-n

o X
9
/X
3
=X
6

Brackets
o Multiply the inside power with the outside power: (a
m
)
n
=a
mn

o (X
5
)
6
=X
30

Power of 1
o Just the number: a
1
=a
Power of 0
o Always 1: a
0
=1
Negative Powers
o Flip it: a
-n
=1/a
n

Fractional Powers
o Generally, find the something-root of big number using the denominator, and then square (or something)
the answer by the numerator

T6: Standard Form

This is a way of writing very large and very small numbers: Ax10
n


Ordinary to Standard

Large Numbers (positive n) / Small Numbers (negative n)
o Place the decimal point so that A is at least 1 and less than 10
o Find n. This is the number of places the decimal point has moved (or needs to move)

Standard to Ordinary

Move the decimal so many places to the right or left depending on the value of n.
o Negative indices are easier because the number is equivalent to the number of zeros before the first significant
figure
o Positive indices need to work out what it is with 10 and guess from there

Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing SIF Numbers

Multiplying and Dividing rules for indices
Adding and Subtracting change to ordinary number, do as normal, change back

T6: Recurring Decimals into Fractions

A recurring decimal is a decimal that never ends and has a repeated pattern, e.g. 0.147147147...

Method: Let x equal the recurring digit
1 digit recurring = x10
1
(and so on)

T6: Surds

Rational numbers can be expressed as an exact fraction
Irrational numbers cannot be expressed as an exact fraction

A surd is a square root that cannot be written as a fraction

Multiplying Surds:
4 x 9 = 2 x 3 = 6 = 36 = 4x9
Rule: a x b = ab
Dividing Surds:
100/25 = 10/5 = 2 = 4 = 100/25
Rule: a/b = a/b
Another important rule
a x a = a
2
= a
Adding or Subtracting Surds
Need the same square root, or need to rewrite the surd
Rationalising the Denominator
The denominator is not allowed to be a surd
o Multiply top and bottom by the surd
o Simplify if possible

T6: Fractions

Equivalent Fractions:
Multiplying/dividing the numerator and the denominator by the same number

Improper Fractions:
22 thirds = 7 and 1 third
2 and 1 quarter = 9 quarters

Adding/Subtracting
Need common denominator
Multiplying
Multiply numerators. Multiply denominators. Simplify.
Dividing
Turn divisor upside-down and multiply