CORE CURRICULUM

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15

CORE CURRICULUM
Session 1: Whole Numbers and Fractions

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15

Session One Objectives
When trainees have completed this session, they should be able to do
the following:
1. Identify whole numbers and demonstrate how to work with them
mathematically.
a. Identify different whole numbers and their place values.
b. Demonstrate the ability to add and subtract whole numbers.
c. Demonstrate the ability to multiply and divide whole numbers.
2. Explain how to work with fractions.
a. Define equivalent fractions and show how to find lowest common
denominators.
b. Describe improper fractions and demonstrate how to change an
improper fraction to a mixed number.
c. Demonstrate the ability to add and subtract fractions.
d. Demonstrate the ability to multiply and divide fractions.
Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15
Sections 1.1.0 and 1.1.1 – Place Values
4.Understanding place value
A supervisor estimates is essential
that to speaking
a commercial buildingnumbers
will
require sixteen correctly
thousand,andfiveaccurately.
hundred feet of copper
piping to complete all of the restroom facilities. How would
you write this value as a whole number?
a. 1,650
b. 16,500
c. 160,500
d. 16,000,500

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15

Section 1.2.0 – Addition and Subtraction
SUBTRACTION
ADDITION

Step
Step 1
1 Align
Align numbers
numbers vertically.
vertically.
Step
Step 2
2 Begin
Begin with
with the
the column
column toto the
the right
right and
and work
work towards
towards the
the left.
left.
Borrow a 1 from the next column when the number on the
Step 3 Carry the 1 over to the next column for numbers over 10. Note
bottom is larger than the one above. Reduce the value of that
that this number may be larger than 1 when adding more than
column by 1 to compensate.
two numbers.
Step 3 Complete the final columns. 6 11
Step 4 Complete the final column on the left.12 , 7 6 6
723
- 1, 4+8 384
11, 2 8 3
807
Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15
Section 1.2.1 – Addition and Subtraction
4. A general
1. In contractor
calculating a bid forordered three different
a roof restoration, sized
a contractor
windows
estimatestothat
complete
he will a job on
need a residential
$847 for lumber,home. She
$456 for
ordered a bow window
roofing shingles, and $169that for
cost $874; one
hardware. 36" is
What × 36"
the
double-hung window
total cost for the that cost
materials $67;ofand
portion the one
bid?36" × 54"
double-hung window that cost $93. If she had set aside
$1,250 to purchase the windows in her estimate, how
$1,472.00
much will she have left after buying them?

$216.00

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15

Section 1.3.0 – Multiplication and Division
DIVISION
MULTIPLICATION
• Set up the problem correctly.
•• Align dividing
Begin the digits.
into the number(s) on the left end of the dividend.
•• Start atthe
Record theresulting
right. Multiply all top
multiplier digits,
at the toponeandat a time,
record thebyresult
the lower
of the
number.
multiplication under the dividend, properly aligned.
• When thethe
Continue result of each
process untilmultiplication
the problem equals or exceeds
is complete. 10, carry
The remainder
over the left
represents digit and(part
a fraction add of
it to the nextinproduct.
a whole), this case 22/24ths.
• If either number in the problem is greater than 10, some addition is
required at the end to determine the final answer.

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15

Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 – The Order of Operations
3. If one plumbing job requires 45 meters of PVC pipe, and a
second job requires 6 30+meters,
3 × 5how
= Amany lengths of pipe
 
will you need if it comes in 6-meter lengths? Remember that
you cannot order a partial length of pipe; only orders for
MDAS
whole lengths are generally accepted.
 

13 lengths of pipeMultiplication
____
Division
How much pipe will be left over, assuming there are no
Addition
3
errors?
Subtraction
____ meters

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15

Sections 2.1.0 to 2.1.2 – Fractions
Although fractions
REDUCINGsuch as
TO2/4 and 1/2 are
LOWEST equal, they must
TERMS
share a denominator for addition and subtraction.

Determine the largest number that will divide evenly into

both the numerator and denominator. In this case, it is 4.
Then divide both by this number.

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15

Sections 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 – Fractions
Find theequals
3. 3⁄4 lowesthow Which
common is larger? for this pair of
manydenominator
eighths?
fractions. 3 5
a. 2⁄8 or
14. 1⁄4 and 3⁄16. 4 8
b. 4⁄8
A common
a. 8 denominator is required for comparison. It does not
c. to
need 5⁄8be the lowest common denominator though; common
b. denominators
16 at any level allows for comparison.
d. 6⁄8
c. 18 3
´
8 = 24
4 8 = 32
d. 20
5 4 = 20
´
8 4 = 32
Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15
Section 2.3.0 – Fractions
ADDING FRACTIONS
SUBTRACTING FRACTIONS
• Find a common denominator; it does
denominator. Like not have
addition, to benot
it does theneed
lowest,
to but
be the the final answer will need to be converted to its
lowest.
• lowest
Convertcommon denominator.
the fractions Before
to the same or after is fine.
denominator.
•• Convert
Subtract the
the fractions to the
numerators same denominator.
only.
• Add the numerators only.

•• Reduce
Reduce to
to the
the lowest
lowest common denominator, and then to a
terms if necessary.
mixed number, if necessary.
Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15
Section 2.3.1 – Fractions
Find
Find the answerstotothe
the answers thefollowing
following subtraction
addition problems.
problems.
RememberRemember
to reduce thetosum
reduce thelowest
to the differences to the
terms and
lowest
changeterms.
any improper fractions to mixed numbers.

3/8
1/16
1. 3⁄8
6. 1⁄8–+5⁄16
4⁄16== _____
_____

7/8
1/16
2. 11⁄16
7. 4⁄8 + –6⁄16
5⁄8 = _____
= _____

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15

Section 2.4.0 – Fractions
DIVIDING FRACTIONS
MULTIPLYING FRACTIONS
• Again, no need to find a common denominator.
•• No need
Identify theto find and
divisor a common denominator!
invert it. Then change the operation to
• multiplication.
Multiply the numerators, and then multiply the
denominators.
• Now proceed with multiplication and reduce the result to its
lowest terms.

• Reduce the resulting fraction to its lowest terms.

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Section 2.4.1 – Fractions
Find the answers to the following division problems
multiplication problems
without using a calculator. Reduce the quotients to their
products to their
lowest terms and change improper fractions to mixed
numbers.
6. 3⁄8 ÷ 3 = 5/32
1/8
_____
1. 4⁄16 × 5⁄8 = _____

7. 1-1/4
21/32
2. 5⁄8
3⁄4 ÷
× 1⁄2
7⁄8 =
= _____
_____

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15

Next Session…

DECIMALS; TAKING MEASUREMENTS

Read Sections 2.0.0 through 4.2.4 to prepare for

the next session. Also complete the Section
Review for Sections 1.0.0 through 4.0.0.

Introduction to Construction Math 00102-15