Basic Math and Pre-Algebra For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 4

Putting the Big Four Operations to Work

In This Chapter

Identifying which operations are inverses of each other

Knowing the operations that are commutative, associative, and distributive

Performing the Big Four operations on negative numbers

Using four symbols for inequality

Understanding exponents, roots, and absolute values

When you understand the Big Four operations that I cover in Chapter 3 — adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing — you can begin to look at math on a whole new level. In this chapter, you extend your understanding of the Big Four operations and move beyond them. I begin by focusing on four important properties of the Big Four operations: inverse operations, commutative operations, associative operations, and distribution. Then I show you how to perform the Big Four on negative numbers.

I continue by introducing you to some important symbols for inequality. Finally, you're ready to move beyond the Big Four by discovering three more advanced operations: ...