Top 5 things I learned in Math 9

In no particular or, here are five things that were a crucial comprehension piece throughout the entire grade 9 year.

1. Exponents are lazy: In order to work with exponents, you must understand the workings of exponents. What I mean are the rules that are stuck to them. Mainly being that exponents are lazy. That means that they aren’t going to do what you would assume from any math related question. Unless there are brackets surrounding the entire exponent. If that is the case then it’ll follow regular math rules.

I chose this because it is so simple but if you don’t follow this rule your answer could be the  exact opposite of the real answers

2. The first things we learn to solve in math are equations yet most people don’t really know what an equation is. Although often we identify the two sides of an equation as the left being where we solve and the right is where the answer is. An equal sign simply tells us that to both sides of the equation are equal. Which means you could have to solve/simplify on both sides

3. This is something that from time to time everyone messes up on which is why I need to remind myself now and continue to have to. It is that BEDMAS is important to follow. Solve in the order of brackets, exponents, division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction. I had to put this in because although it is like a key identifier of math, it’s very easy to forget sometimes.

4. Chances are that when you are doing anything in math, that there is an easier way of doing it. Because math is typically very consistent and it repeats itself. So we find patterns. Of course, there are plenty for multiplication but I’m going to show for multiplying 11 and then easy algebraic solving for specific questions. Ones that have two brackets with 2 parts in each bracket. Look at the example below.

I chose this because math can be fun and easy when you know tricks that shorten the whole process and get you to the answer quicker.

5. If you add terms that are not alike, you WILL get a terrible answer. Mainly in addition and subtraction, some main rules for adding exponents and constants together are to not do it. The same rule follows if you have two different exponents. It’s a free for all with multiplication/division but NEVER do it with Addition/Subtraction. This is a critical base understanding that you have to get used to doing which is why I chose it.