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Mathematical operationWhat it is Example

Addition (+)

To add is to join two or more numbers (or things) together. Addition is finding the total or sum by combining two or more numbers.

11 + 3 = 14 is an addition.

Subtraction (–)

Subtraction is taking one number away from another.

Note: Addition and subtraction are opposite (inverse) operations. Doing + 3 followed by – 3 takes you back to the starting value of 11.

Multiplication (×)The basic idea of multiplying is repeated addition.

As well as multiplying by whole numbers, we can also multiply by fractions, decimals and more.

14 – 3 = 11 is a subtraction.

5 × 3 = 5 + 5 + 5 = 15.

Division (÷)

Division is sharing or grouping a number into equal parts. It is the result of equal sharing or grouping.

Sharing

Sharing 12 apples between 3 people means that each person gets 4 apples each:

12 ÷ 3 = 4.

Grouping

How many groups of 3 apples can be made from 12 apples? There would be 4 groups of 3 apples: 12 ÷ 3 = 4.

Note: Multiplication and division are opposite (inverse) operations.

12 ÷ 3 = 4.

Squares

To square a number means to multiply it by itself. The name square is used because this is the calculation needed to find the area of a square shape. The symbol is the digit 2, written as a superscript.

3.52 = 3.5 × 3.5 = 12.25, which can be read as “3.5 squared is 12.25.”