FBE05 – Mathematics and Statistics Lecture 1 - Numbers

Introduction Mathematics involves the use of numbers in all of its branches like algebra, geometry, statistics and etc. The use of numbers also extends to other subjects like estimating, surveying, construction science and structural mechanics We shall be dealing with numbers in all sections of this module, it is appropriate to deal with the different types of numbers at this stage.

Positive numbers, negative numbers and integers Numbers with a plus (+) sign or no sign on their left are called positive numbers. Example: 2, +3, 5, 11, 5000 The greater a positive number, the greater is its value. Negative numbers have a minus (-) sign on their left, for example: -3, -2, -21 and -250 The greater a negative number, the smaller is its value. For instance, the value of -15 is less than -10. If the object is at -10°C, and its temperature is reduced by 5°C, the new temperature will be:____?

Positive numbers, negative numbers and integers An integer is a whole number, positive or negative. For example: 10, -30, 0, 24 and -70 are integers.

The air temperature today at 9 pm was -1°C and is expected to be 6 degrees lower at 6 am tomorrow. It is also expected that at 11 am tomorrow, the temperature will be 5 degrees higher than that expected at 6 am. Find the temperatures expected tomorrow at 6 am and 11 am.

Calculate the length of skirting board required for the room