Introduction to Numbers

Number I – Edexcel GCSE (1MA1)

In this course, Dr Thomas Woolley (Cardiff University) works with numbers, covering Topics N1-N3 in the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics (1MA1) Specification for Foundation and Higher Tier. In the first mini-lecture, we introduce numbers using the number line and discuss some historical context. In the second mini-lecture, we learn about the numbers between the integers in the form of decimals and fractions (Topic N1). In the third mini-lecture, we think about important symbols in mathematics, including the equals, non-equals, greater than, less than, greater than or equal to, and less than or equal to symbols (Topic N1). In the fourth mini-lecture, we discuss how to use the operations of addition and subtraction before moving onto multiplication and division in the fifth mini-lecture (Topic N2). In the sixth mini-lecture, we practice working with fractions and decimals (Topic N2). In the seventh mini-lecture, we introduce place value and the base 10 number system (Topic N2). In the eighth mini-lecture, we learn about inverse operations (Topic N3). In the ninth mini-lecture, we use order of operations (PEMDAS or BIDMAS) to simplify expressions (Topic N3).

Introduction to Numbers

In the first mini-lecture, we introduce numbers, focusing on: (i) how we use numbers in the real-world and their fundamental importance; (ii) the natural numbers on the number line; (iii) the number zero and the history of its creation; (iv) the clay tablet in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford with ancient calculations; and (v) negative numbers and some history on their use.