Mastering the Fundamentals of Mathematics

Professor Sellers's overview of general topics and themes; plunging into a review of the addition and subtraction of whole numbers; helpful tips designed to help one approach these types of problems with more confidence.

A focus on the multiplication of whole numbers; uncovering the relationship between addition and multiplication; opportunities to strengthen one's ability to multiply two 2-digit numbers, two 3-digit numbers and more.

Turning to the opposite of multiplication; how to set up a long division problem; how to check answers to make sure they are correct; how to handle zeroes when they appear in a problem; what to do when a long division problem ends with a remainder.

Mathematics is also filled with "parts" of whole numbers, or fractions; defining key terms; focusing on techniques for determining if fractions are equivalent; finding out which of two fractions is larger; reducing fractions to their lowest terms.

Learning ways to add and subtract various types of fractions, sometimes even in the same problem; tips for reducing answers to their lowest terms; math with fractions does not have to be intimidating and can even be fun.

Mastering how to multiply fractions; how to reduce an answer to its lowest terms; Professor Sellers shows how to approach and solve multiplication problems involving fractions, fractions and whole numbers, and fractions and mixed numbers.

The process for solving division problems involving fractions; helpful practice problems; how to better handle calculations involving different notations, fractions, whole numbers and word problems involving the division of fractions.

Focusing on a variety of problems while learning how to add and subtract decimals: one tip for making these sorts of calculations easier is making sure the decimal points are all lined up vertically.

The best ways to multiply and divide decimal numbers; when and when not to ignore the decimal point in calculations; how to check an answer to ensure that the result has the correct number of decimal places; how to express remainders in decimals.

A closer look at converting between percents, decimals and fractions; learning the techniques in this episode; using them on numerous practice problems; learning how easy this type of conversion is to master.

Better at approaching and solving different kinds of percentage problems one would most likely encounter in their everyday life; calculating the tip at a restaurant; determining how much money one is saving on a store's discount.

How ratios and proportions work; how one can figure out if a particular problem is merely a ratio or proportion problem in disguise; pitfalls to watch out for; how a better understanding of these subjects can help save money.

Exploring a fifth fundamental mathematical operation, which is exponentiation; the order of operations for handling longer calculations that involve multiple tasks; tips to handle them with ease; where exponentiation fits in this larger process.

Improving confidence in dealing with negative numbers; using the number line to help visualize these numbers; how to rewrite subtraction problems involving negative numbers as addition problems; the rules of multiplying and dividing with them.

Making sense of square roots; examples to help sidestep issues many students face; how to simplify radical expressions involving addition and subtraction; how to find the approximate value of a square root without using a calculator.

What happens when one has to raise numbers to a fraction of a power; dealing with negative exponents or negative fractional exponents; Professor Sellers guides one through this mathematical territory; techniques for approaching these scenarios.

Learning how to graph objects in the coordinate plane with graph paper; how to plot points; how to determine which quadrant they go in; how to sketch the graph of a line; how to determine a line's slope.

Continuing to explore the visual side of mathematics with a look at the basics of two-dimensional geometry; among the topics to focus on are the various types of triangles and quadrilaterals; methods for measuring angles, area and perimeter.

Gaining a greater appreciation for the interaction between arithmetic and geometry; how to recognize and approach large polygons; exploring the various concepts behind circles; methods for calculating their circumference, area and perimeter.

Demystifying number theory, which takes as its focus the study of the properties of whole numbers; concepts that Professor Sellers discusses include divisors, prime numbers, prime factorizations, greatest common divisors and factor trees.

Taking a closer look at the relationships between even and odd numbers; the rules of divisibility for particular numbers; learning that something as intimidating as number theory can be made so accessible.

An introduction to statistics, a useful area of mathematics; focusing on the four basic "measurements" statisticians use when gleaning meaning from data, which are mean, median, mode and range; seeing these concepts at work in everyday scenarios.

Learning more about probability, a cousin of statistics; considering basic questions and concepts from probability; drawing on the knowledge and skills of the fundamentals of mathematics acquired in earlier lectures.

Professor Sellers reviews the importance of math in daily life; he previews Algebra I, the next step in studies; whether one is planning to take more courses or looking to sharpen their mind, they will be sent off with new levels of confidence.