Arithmetic facts for kids
Arithmetic is a basic part of mathematics that helps us understand and work with numbers. It's all about how numbers behave and how we can combine them.
The four main things we do in arithmetic are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. But arithmetic also includes other cool things like exponentiation (which is like multiplying a number by itself many times) and finding roots (which is the opposite of exponentiation).
You also learn about working with signed numbers (like positive and negative numbers), fractions, decimals, and percentages in arithmetic.
Most people learn arithmetic when they are in primary school. It's a super important skill for many jobs! For example, carpenters, plumbers, auto mechanics, accountants, architects, doctors, and nurses all use arithmetic every day. It's also needed in all parts of science and engineering.
You can do some arithmetic in your head, which is called mental math. For bigger or more complex problems, people often use a calculator. Computers can do arithmetic really fast, which is why devices like Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers have small computers inside them to figure out locations quickly.
Examples of Arithmetic
Here are some simple examples of the four basic operations:
- Addition: 2 + 3 = 5. When you add, the order of the numbers doesn't change the answer. So, 2 + 3 is the same as 3 + 2.
- Subtraction: 7 − 5 = 2. With subtraction, the order matters! 7 − 5 is different from 5 − 7.
- Multiplication: 3 × 4 = 12. Like addition, the order of numbers doesn't change the answer when you multiply. 3 × 4 is the same as 4 × 3.
- Division: 6 ÷ 2 = 3. Just like subtraction, the order matters in division. 6 ÷ 2 is different from 2 ÷ 6.
See also
In Spanish: Aritmética para niños
Images for kids
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Arithmetic tables for children, Lausanne, 1835
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Leibniz's Stepped Reckoner was the first calculator that could perform all four arithmetic operations.
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A scale calibrated in imperial units with an associated cost display.
