Exploring Number

Theory Concepts and

Operations
Chapter 7
Ashley Ward
Samantha Pallotta

7.1 Calculator Expressions and

Order of Operations
Two Types of Calculator LogicArithmetic and Algebraic
Using Calculators to Evaluate
Expressions Involving More than One
Operation
Formal Order of Operations Rules

Two Types of Calculator LogicArithmetic and Algebraic

If you entered this expression into a two different calculators you may end up
with two completely different answers. (19 and 39)
Why would two calculators give different answers for the same problem
sequence?
The Answer: Because there are two types of logic used in common handheld
calculators.
Algebraic logic calculator: will perform multiplications before additions and
follow other standard order of operations conventions
Arithmetic logic calculator: will perform operations as they are entered into it
without regard to the standard order of operations conventions.

Which Calculator is Correct?

It depends on the situation:
Example:
2x5+3x3=?

OR
Five couples and three single students go to a
dance. Tickets to the dance cost $3 each. How
much money is collected in tickets?

Using Calculators to Evaluate Expressions

Involving More than One Operation
The use of calculators in the classroom is becoming
increasingly widespread in elementary education.
You must determine if the calculator uses algebraic
logic or arithmetic logic.So that the calculator that you
intend to use will correctly evalluate the expression.

Formal Order of Operations Rules

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Formal Order of Operations

Examples
24 / 6 x 2 + 3
3
4x2+3
12 + 3
8+3
2+3

24 / ( 6 x 2) +
24 /

= 11

Activity 7-2

Grades 3-6

1. You will be placed in groups of four and five. (your table

groups)
2. Each group will get an envelope that is filled with index cards
that have numbers and equations on them.
3. At my signal you will open your envelopes and work as a
group to form equations from the index cards.
4. Each card may be used in at most one equation.

7.2 Factors, Multiples, and Primes

Developing Concepts of Even and Odd
Factors and Multiples
Prime Numbers and Composite

Numbers

Developing Concepts of Even and Odd

Children can often determine whether a number is even or odd before they can
even count to that number or name it
Chinese Proverb of how people learn:
I hear: I forget.
I see: I remember.
I do: I understand.

If children discover this by themselves they will remember it but they will also
understand it as well!
Even and odd numbers have convenient representations using variables.

Factors and Multiples

The terms factor and multiple are introduced at the second or third grade level
Things to Remember: For whole numbers n and m
the number n is a factor of m if
there is a whole number
p with p x n = m
the number m is a multiple of n if
n is a factor of m
Example: From the expression 3 x 4 = 12 you have the following relationships.
3 is a factor of 12
4 is a factor of 12
12 is a multiple of 3
12 is a multiple of 4
3 is not a multiple of 12
12 is not a factor of 3

Prime Numbers and Composite Numbers

Every whole number greater than one has at least two factors, one and itself.
If these are the only two factors of a number, the number is called prime.
If a whole number has more than two factors, it it called composite.
The number one is neither prime or composite. It is the only number that
has exactly one factor.
2 is the only even prime number, all others are odd
Not all odd numbers are prime.
Usually taught during the 3rd or 4th grade.
To check if a number is prime or composite all you need to do is check for
divisibility.
You can check by using a calculator or use a pencil and paper

7.3 Divisibility Tests, Prime Factorization

& Factor Trees
Definition of Divisible
Divisibility Tests for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10
Factor Trees and Prime Factorization
This material is appropriate for grades 4-6

Definition of Divisible
When one number can be divided by another and the result is an exact
whole number
Example: 15 is divisible by 3, because 15/3=5
Example: 9 is not divisible by 2 because 9/2=4 with 1 left over
A number is divisible by 2 if and only if it is even
If a number is odd, then it is NOT divisible by 2
To determine whether a number is divisible by 2, you need to look at the
last digit of the number to determine whether it is even or odd
For Whole numbers m and n
The number m is divisible by n if there is a whole number p with
p x n=m (2x5=10.10 is divisible by 5...10/5=2)
The number n divides the number m if m is divisible by n

Practice Problems
Answer true or false to each of the following:
34 is Divisible by 2
34 Divides 2
34 is Divisible by 4
4 is Divisible by 36

Divisibility Tests
A whole number n is divisible by 2 if, and only if, its digit is 0,2,4,6, or 8
A whole number n is divisible by 3 if, and only if, the sum of its digits is
divisible by 3
A whole number n is divisible by 4 if, and only if, the number formed by the
last two digits of n is divisible by 4
A whole number n is divisible by 5 if, and only if, its units digit is 0 or 5
A whole number n is divisible by 6 if, and only if, it is divisible by both 2 and
3
A whole number n is divisible by 9 if, and only if, the sum of its digits is
divisible by 9
A whole number n is divisible by 10 if, and only if, its units digit is 0

Examples of Divisibility Tests

The #:

45
1424

300

Divisible by 2?
Yes; last digit=4

No; last digit= 5

Divisible by 3?
digits=11

Yes; sum of digits=9

Divisible by 4?
Yes; 24/4=6 R0

No; 45/4=11 R1

Yes; 00/4=0 R0

Divisible by 5?
No; last digit=4

Yes; last digit=5

Yes; last digit=0

Divisible by 6?

No; not divisible by 2

Yes; last digit=0

Yes; sum of digits=3

Yes; both 2 and 3

No; Sum of

No; not divisible by 3

Factor Trees & Prime Factorization

The Divisibility tests just discussed can be useful in finding the prime
factorization of a given number
The prime factorization of a number is a product of primes and powers of
primes equal to that number
A factor tree can also be useful in finding the prime factorization
To draw a factor tree, begin with the given number at the top level
Factor this number, write the two factors on the next level, and draw
branches to these numbers
Continue the process for each number that is composite
Branches end in prime numbers only
The prime factorization can be found by collecting the primes at the end of
the branches

Example of Factor Trees

105
5

21
3

105=3 x 5 x 7 (Prime Factorization)

Example of Factor Trees

140
14
10
2

Factor Tree Website

http://www.mathplayground.com/factortrees.html

7.4 Least Common Multiples & Greatest

Common Factors
The Least Common Multiple
Common Multiple: A nonzero number that is a multiple of two or more
different numbers
Least Common Multiple (LCM): The least nonzero number that is a
multiple of two or more different numbers

It is important that only nonzero multiples are considered because zero is a

multiple of every whole number.
Children often find the word least to mean that the least common multiple
is a small number. They must remember that the least common multiple is
a multiple of each of the numbers considered

Example of The Least Common

Multiple
1. LCM (36, 48)

-Multiples of 36: 36, 72, 108, 144, 180, 216, 252, etc.
-Multiples of 48: 48, 96, 144, 192, 240, etc.
The least common multiple is the smallest number common to these lists.
LCM (36, 48)= 144

The Greatest Common Factor

The Greatest Common Factor
Common Factor: A number that is a factor of two or more different
numbers
Greatest Common Factor (GCF): The largest number that is a factor
of each of two or more different numbers

It is not necessary to include that the factor be nonzero

Zero is not a factor of any natural number

Recall that 1 is a factor of every natural number

In some cases, 1 will be the greatest common factor of a pair of numbers

Example of The Greatest Common

Factor
1. GCF (36, 48)

-Factors of 36: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 36

-Factors of 48: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48
The common factors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12. GCF (36, 48)= 12