Simplify: 43 x 42
Answer: 45 (or 1,024)
Why? When multiplying exponents with the same base, you add the powers (3 + 2 = 5).
Solve for y:
3y - 7 = 14
Answer: y = 7
Why? Add 7 to both sides (3y = 21), then divide both sides by 3 (y = 7).
Proportions: A recipe calls for 2 cups of sugar to make 24 cookies. How many cups of sugar are needed to make 36 cookies?
Answer: 3 cups of sugar.
Geometry (Pythagorean Theorem): A right-angled triangle has two legs measuring 5 inches and 12 inches. What is the length of the hypotenuse (the longest side)?
Answer: 13 inches.
Why? Using the Pythagorean Theorem (a2 + b2 = c2), we get 52 + 122 = c2. This becomes $25 + 144 = c2, so $169 = c2. The square root of 169 is 13.
Solve: 50 x 101
Answer: 10
(Anything with an exponent of 0 just equals 1.