Restructuring Basic Mathematics

GREGORY BATTLE, Ph.D.

MATHEMATICS PROFESSOR/RESEARCHER
LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE

7 November 2019

“Si potes cogitare.”

 Alternative Methods
1. Arithmetic of Fractions
2. Basic Literal Mathematics
3. Percent
4. Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
5. Division of Complex Numbers
 Arithmetic of Fractions

NOTE: The Arithmetic of Fractions = “Fear of Basic

Mathematics”.
My Theory: A fraction is known by its denominator.
(from Medieval Latin denominare "to name”)
The LEAST COMMON DENOMIATOR IDEA FOR ADDITION
AND SUBTRACTION OF FRACTIONS IS NOT NECESSARY.
ALL THAT IS NEEDED BASICALLY IS A COMMON
DENOMINATOR!
 FORMAL ARITHMETIC OF
FRACTIONS

Examples:
a c ad  bc (7)(1)  (9)(3)
  1

3
 
34
b d bd 9 7 (9)(7) 63
NOTE: bd is a common denominator 2 4 (2)(9)  (3)(4) 30
  
3 9 (3)(9) 27

a c ad  bc 1 3 (7)(1)  (9)(3) 20
    
b d bd 9 7 (9)(7) 63
2 4 (2)(9)  (3)(4) 6
NOTE: bd is a common denominator   
3 9 (3)(9) 27
 Question: LCD = Least
Common Denominator?
 Example: As a worker for Farmer Green you are
asked to fill 75% of his 8 silos with corn. How many
do you fill? The answer could be 3 if you decide
that 3 / 4 = 6 / 8. Yet Farmer Green may not be
happy that 3 of his silos were left empty.
 Representing fractions with a least common
denominator is an aesthetic or desired
presentation. Reducing fractions may reduce
commodity units.
“Looks are preference; equality is inviolable.”
 TWO MORE POINTS

1. 17/136 = 12/96 = 3/24 = 1/8 = 22/176 = 35/280,

because of equality if points are awarded
for one, then the same points should be
awarded for the other

2. Reducing a fraction to lowest terms is a

representation, not a logic assertion.
 MORE FORMAL ARITHMETIC OF
FRACTIONS

a c ac
  1

3

(1)(3)

3
b d bd 9 7 (9)(7) 63
NOTE: bd is a common denominator 2 4 (2)(4) 8
  
3 9 (3)(9) 27

a c ad 1 3 (1)(7) 7
=     
b d bc 9 7 (3)(9) 27
2 4 (2)(9) 18
NOTE: bd is a common denominator   
3 9 (4)(3) 12
 2. Literal Basic Mathematics

Phrases Math Symbol

What number, How much, A Quantity x

Of 
is =

Percent, %  (1/100)
What percent x/100
_______________________
Example: The number 3 is what percent of 4?


Solution: 3 = (x /100) 4, or 300 = 4x. Then x = 75
 Parallel & Perpendicular
Lines

Proposed Methods Are Slope Invisible:

Put all lines in standard form: Ax + By = C

Process: Ax + By = C
Dx + Ey = F

The above lines are parallel if AE = BD.

Example: Determine if the line 3x – 2y = 11 and

– 12x + 8y = 23 are parallel.
 Parallel or Perpendicular?
3x – 2y = 11 (3)(8) = 24 = (– 2)(– 12)
– 12x + 8y = 23 Lines are parallel

Example: Determine if the lines – 5x + 16y = 19 and

32x + 10 y = 17 are perpendicular.

Process: Ax + By = C
Dx + Ey = F

The above lines are perpendicular if AD + BE = 0

 Parallel or Perpindicular?
– 5x + 16y = 19 ( – 5)(32) + (16)(10) = –160 + 160 = 0
32x + 10 y = 17 Lines are perpendicular

Given point (a, b), the point-slope formula is

y – b = m(x – a) or – mx + y = b – ma

Example: Find a line through (8, 6) perpendicular to

2x + 3y = 9

Solution: 2x + 3y = 9
- mx + y = 6 - 8m
Parallel or Perpendicular?

Thus – 2m + 3 = 0 or m = 3/2 or
(- 3/2x) + y = - 6 or - 3x + 2y = - 12

Example: Find a line through ( - 1, 2) parallel to

4x + 3y = 7. So y - 2 = m (x + 1) or
– mx + y = m + 2
Solution: – mx + y = m + 2
4x + 3y = 7. So – 3m = 4 or
m = - 4/3 and 4/3x + y = 2/3 or 4x + 3y = 2
Division of Complex
Numbers
PRODUCTION CREDITS

MARQUIS YOUNG

ANTHONY JACKSON
 ANY QUESTIONS

“Vox Dei venisti huc veneris veritatis.”