Tuesday, April 30

Solving simple equations


Simple equations are equations those have just one variable and which can be solved by using very algebraic operations. At times, you can even solve them mentally. These are also called one step equations because in one step. Since they involve variables and need to perform algebraic operations for solutions, they are also referred as algebra simple equations.

In many cases the one step equations are based on word problems and those are framed as per the statement of the word problem. Let us illustrate a few examples to understand how to solve simple equations.

Let x + 1 = 5. The solution is to find the value of x. We see on the left side a 1 is added to the variable. So to isolate that, we need to undo that addition by the inverse algebraic operation, which is subtraction. Since 1 is added to the variable, in the undoing process we need to subtract 1 on the left side. But since this is an equation doing any operation only on one side is prohibited since the balance of the equation is disturbed. Hence to maintain the balance a 1 must also be subtracted on the right side.

So the method of solution is (x + 1) – 1 = 5 – 1, or, x = 4, which is the solution. The solution can be checked by plugging that value in the original equation. That is, if x = 4, then the left side becomes as, x + 1 = 4 +1 = 5 = right side. Hence the solution is correct.

Let x – 3 = 4. Here the undoing operation is ‘add 3’ on both sides. So, (x – 3) +3 = 4 + 3, or, x = 7 which is the solution.
Next let us the equation 3x = 9. In this case, the variable is multiplied by 3 on the left side. In this case, the undoing operation is ‘divide by 3’ on both sides. So, (3x/3) = (9/3) or, x = 3, which is the solution. Similarly the undoing operation for a division is ‘multiply by the same number’ on both sides. For example, if, (x/2) = 4, then, (x/2)*2 = 4*2 or, x = 8.

Let us see how one step equations are formed from word problems.
‘Ben is 5 years older than Joan and Joan is 3 year old. How old is Ben?’ Let ‘x’ be the age of Ben. Since he is 5 years older that Joan, the equation is x – 5 = 3 and the solution is x – 5 + 5 = 3 + 5 or x = 8. Hence Ben is 8 years old.

Tuesday, April 9

Templates for the Diagrams Representing Set Operations


The Venn diagram template can be associated with set theory in mathematics. Sets represent collection of objects which are similar in nature. So, the all real numbers together form a set. Even the integers together can form a set. These are similar numbers which is necessary to form a set. The triple Venn diagram template is used when three sets intersect.

There is a common area when the sets intersect. There are various operations that are to be learnt in the set theory. The operations like union or intersection can be used to solve various problems. The set theory is used to solve the problems in a simpler manner.

They give a clear understanding of the problems. The 3 circle Venn diagram template is used when three sets are intersecting. These templates can be very useful and helpful. They must be chosen carefully.

The Venn diagram templates are used to make these better understandable so that the problems can be better understood and can be solved easily. Even Free Venn diagram templates are available online and can be chosen at will to solve the problems. They can be really helpful. A wide variety of them are available and the right choice must be made. For this to happen one must be thorough with the concepts in set theory and these diagrams.

These diagrams are pictorial representations of the problems in the set theory. Once they are drawn one is able to understand the problem better and can solve it more easily and in a smaller amount of time. So, one must learn how to draw these diagrams.

The intersection of two sets in these diagrams denotes common area between the two sets. It contains the common elements which are present in both the sets. So, the common area in these diagrams is the intersection and denotes the elements which are present in both the sets.

The same can be true if there more than two sets. In case of three sets also this is the case. The common area denotes the elements which are present in all the three sets. The union of sets denotes all the elements present in the sets of which the union is found. There is also the concept of empty set. If there is no common area in the diagram, then it denotes an empty set. It basically means there are no common elements between the sets.

Wednesday, April 3

Basics of Simple Interest

The term interest refers to the cost of borrowing money. The interest calculation varies from plan to plan and is also based on the lenders and the time period of lending/depositing the amount. This interest is calculated in different ways such as interest only on principal, interest on principal and interest so far earned/incurred, monthly interest, cumulative interest etc.  The amount for which the interest is calculated can be a loan (amount borrowed for need) or a deposit (amount deposited as savings).

Definition
The interest which is calculated only on the principal amount borrowed or deposited is termed to be Simple Interest that is denoted as SI in short.  This type of interest does not include the interest so far incurred or earned on the principal amount.

When an amount is borrowed, the amount borrowed is called the Principal. The duration which the borrower takes to return the Principal is termed as the time period and is calculated in number of days/months/year.  The next and most important part is the rate of interest which states the interest percentage for the given principal amount.  All the three put together explains what is Simple Interest. The interest percentage is directly proportional to the lender and the time duration to repay the amount.   Also it depends upon whether it is a loan or a deposit.

Formula for SI Calculation
Formula 1: “R as number”
The Simple Interest Formula is given by S.I = (P*N*R)/100.

Formula 2: “R as percentage”
The Simple-Interest Formula is given by S.I = P*N*R.

This shows how to calculate Simple Interest using the interest for the given principal amount P, with rate of interest R/period of a given period of time P.

Example of SI Calculation
If a principal amount of Rupees 1000 is borrowed/deposited by a person for a period of 2 years with 3% rate of interest, then the simple-interest is given by

By applying the values of P, N and R given, we get

Formula 1: R as number

We know that the rate of interest is 3%. We take R = 3

S. I.  = (P * N* R)/100
S. I.  = (1000 * 2 * 3)/100 = 6000/100 = 60

Formula 2: R as percentage

We know that R = 3% = 3/100 = .03

S.I. = P * N* R
S.I. = 1000*2*.03 = 60.00 = 60

Applications of SI
In post offices, schemes such as MIS pay simple interest for the amount deposited for five years as recurring deposit.

Credit cards charging simple-interest for the amount to be paid is more beneficial.

Wednesday, March 27

Parallelogram Vector addition


One of the most common vector operations that is frequently encountered is addition operation. Addition of two or more vectors to arrive to a vector sum is called vector addition. Consider two vectors,  u=(u1, u2) and  v=( v1, v2), the sum of these vectors would be vector u + vector v= (u1+v1, u2+v2). This sum is called the resultant vector. There are various methods to find the resultant vector namely, parallelogram method, component method, graphical method, cosine method, polygon method etc.  

Parallelogram Vector addition:  In this method first two vectors are drawn such that their initial points coincide. Then the other two lines are drawn to form a parallelogram. The resultant would be the diagonal of the parallelogram drawn from the initial point to the opposite vertex of the parallelogram.

Vector addition component method is one way used in adding vectors. Component means ‘part ’and hence they can be considered as the coordinates of the point that is associated with the vector. In a Euclidean plane consider two vectors, u=(u1, u2) and v=( v1, v2), the resultant vector which is the sum of these vectors is given by, u+v = (u1+v1, u2+v2). In a three dimensional space, given vectors u=(u1, u2, u3) and v=( v1, v2,v3) the method would be similar to the method used in addition of vectors in a Euclidean plane. So, u+v = (u1+v1, u2+v2, u3+v3). We can finally conclude that vector-addition is just like the normal addition, component by component.

Let us now learn the vector addition graphical method, consider two vectors, u=(4,3) and v=(1,4) in the plane. Using the component method of vector-addition the sum can be given as, u+v = (4+1, 3+4) = (5,7). Using the graphical method we get the same resultant vector by taking one vector whose direction and magnitude is unchanged and placing its end at the unchanged vector’s tip, and joining the origin and the new location of the displaced vector using an arrow. This procedure in general works for addition of vectors. For any two given vectors u and v in the plane, the sum of the vectors in general can be graphically represented as the vector addition diagram given below

As the vectors in a two dimensional space lie in the same plane, any two vectors in a three dimensional space also lie in the same plane and hence graphical method works well for vector-addition in a 3-dimensional space.

Wednesday, March 20

Understanding the Concept of Linear Combination


In mathematics the equations are very important. The problems can be converted into equations and then the equations can be solved with the help of multiple methods. The solutions obtained must be checked for their feasibility. This is because all the solutions obtained will not be feasible. Only the solutions that are feasible must be selected, otherwise the answer might go wrong. One must be very careful in selecting the solutions of the equations.

In case of linearity the degree of the given equation is ‘1’. The linear combination can be formed with the help of an equation. There need to be constants for this process to be performed. It also involves the simple process of addition. Basically it is the formation of an expression. This expression can be formed with the help of constants and the simple addition process.

The term in the expression must be multiplied with a constant and the answers obtained must be added. This will give the required solution. The linear combinations can be very helpful and can have various applications in mathematics.

The process of solving linear combinations must be learnt thoroughly to appreciate the concept. The examples will help in better explaining the concept. This concept is related to the concept of linear algebra. It is a branch of algebra and has to be learnt to understand this concept. This concept is also very helpful in vector theory and is a part of vector theory.

Vectors are different from scalar quantities. Both are quantities which have magnitude. The difference between vector and scalar quantities is that the vector quantities have a direction attached to them. But the scalar quantities do not have a direction attached to them.

This is the basic difference between the two quantities. So, one has to be very careful in dealing with these types of quantities. The direction can play a very important role. If the direction is not properly denoted the answer can go wrong. So, in the case of vector quantities, the direction plays a very important role. But in case of scalar quantities the magnitude plays the most important role.

The change in magnitude can make the whole answer go wrong in the case of scalar quantities. But in the case of vector quantities both magnitude and direction are important. Even if one goes wrong the whole answer goes wrong.

Monday, February 25

Definition Subset


Sub-set means part of. If we say that America is part of world then America is said to be sub-set of world. So we Define Subsets as the set which is part of another set. For example in library are many book shelves according to the subjects.
Consider a book shelf containing English books. Then the English book shelf will be sub-set of all library shelves.
Consider students in your class which makes a set C and all students in your school which makes a set S. the set C will be sub-set of set S as it is a part of set S or we can say it is contained in set S.  :

Definition Subset / Subsets Definition – sub-sets are those sets whose all elements are contained in some another set.

Let us see properties of sbsets:
Symbol used for sub-set is:  or . Example if A is sub-set of B then we write it as: A B or A B.
A sub-set may be sub-set of more than one set. For example: consider set N = {11, 33, 77}. This set can be sbset of any set containing the elements 11, 33 and 77 like {1, 2, 11, 33, 77}, {a, e, 33, 11, 77} and many more.
All sets are sub-set of themselves. For example set S={English, math, science, GK}. Then the set S contains these elements. We can say that S is sub-set of S.

An empty set (φ) is sub-set of itself and also sub-set of all other sets.
A set is said to be proper sub-set of another set if another set contains the sub-set and also one or more extra elements with it. For example: set A = {c, v, r, e, m} is proper sub-set of B = {c, v, r, e, m ,s} as it contains extra elements s with the elements of A. A set can be proper sub-set of more than one set. For example above set A is also proper sub-set of C ={c, v, r, e, m, d, s, a}. Null set is proper sub-sets of all the existing sets.

If A is sub-set of set B then B is known as super set of B.

A superset can also be sub-set of some other set.

If A is sub-set of B and B is also sub-set of A, then A is equivalent set of B or A=B.

Possible Number Subsets in set A = 2n where n is number of elements in set A.
These are the properties of Subsets Math

Wednesday, February 20

Venn Diagram Math


The relationship between two or three sets can be shown diagrammatically in the form of circles called the Venn-diagram. They were first given by the mathematician John Venn and hence the name for the diagrams. As we know set is the collection of unique things which are called the elements of the set. Consider the following Venn Diagram examples, List of odd numbers less than 15 forms a set which can be denoted as set A={1,3,5,7,9,11,13} here each element is unique.

Let us now learn how to draw Venn-diagrams to show the relationship between two sets. Let set A={1,3,5,7,9,11}, a set of odd numbers and set B={1,2,3,5,7,11} set of prime numbers.
The Venn-diagram of these two sets would be as given below,

In the above diagram the two circles represent each set, set A and set B. Both the circles with all the numbers represent ‘Union of sets’.

The green shaded region represents the numbers in both the sets, this is called the ‘Intersection of sets’, the yellow region represents only A, that is the element present in only set A and the orange region represents the element present in only set B.

Thus one glance at the Venn-diagram gives all the possible information which gives a logical relationship between the sets. At times we see Venn diagram lines, these lines are provided to write the elements or at times lines are used to show the relationship between the sets using line shading.

Venn diagram can also be used to show the relationship between three sets which would be a three circle Venn diagram.

For example: In a group of 23 students, 12 read mathematics, 15 read statistics and 11 read Physics, 4 read Mathematics only, 7 read Statistics only, 3 read Physics only, 4 read all the three subjects, 1 reads only Math and Statistics not Physics, 3 read only Mathematics and Physics not Statistics and 3 read only Statistics and Physics not Mathematics. Let us now write down all the given data to draw the 3 circle Venn diagram.

The total number of students is denoted using the symbol ‘µ’ which is ‘mu’, n(MUPUS)= µ=23, Mathematics =n(M), Physics=n(P) and Statistics=n(S). Intersection is shown with a symbol ‘∩ ‘showing the elements common to both the sets.

Elements not present in a set is shown by compliment, not A is A’. n(M)=12, n(P)=11 and n(S)=15. n(M∩P∩S)=4 and hence, n(M∩P)=7, n(P∩S)=7 and n(M∩S)=5. In the Venn-diagram below each color represents a logical relationship,