Maths topics intro

NUMERICAL CONCEPTS

Introduction

Numerical concepts deal with different types or sets of numbers, how they are presented in everyday language and how they are applied. The sets of numbers here include Natural numbers; Whole numbers; Integers; Even and Odd numbers; and Prime numbers.

The numerical concepts also include how these numbers relate to each other as well as how they can be combined with the help of the four arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

The Ishango Bone found in Africa is the oldest table of prime numbers. The bone was discovered in 1960 on Lake Edward in Congo. It is dated between 23,000 BC and 18000 BC.










Numerical concepts are important in our daily life because they form the basis of the counting system in use today.

If it were not for numerical concepts we would not be able to keep records of quantities or sizes of substances.

Numerical concepts are also important when it comes to locating the position of one object from a reference point. For example, if the height above sea level is + 20 m represents a height above sea level; - 20 m represents a position of 20 m below sea level. - 15 ° C is not the same as + 15 ° C, - 15 ° C is 15 ° C below the freezing point of water which is 0 ° C. These two values are distinguished by the use of integers.

Numerical concepts are also important in mental development. We use numerical concepts extensively in preparing our minds for more challenging aspects of life such as determining how fast a new epidemic is spreading. Numerical numbers lead to identifying patterns and relations between numbers and events in the immediate environment.

In most aspects of life we meet applications of numerical concepts. As you use these materials we hope they will help to equip you with basic skills in numerical concepts which are of great use in our daily life.