GED Math Basics For Beginners to Move Ahead in 2024

Just starting the GED? Beginners will learn basic #GED math skills that will help develop a strong foundation that should make GED math easier. This video is an excellent start place for beginners, and will still help those who have been studying for a while but are struggling. We’re also going to look at some common GED math mistakes and how to avoid them.

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00:00 Intro
00:14 Place values
00:40 Place values example
1:18 Comparing & ordering numbers
3:28 Rounding explained with examples
7:28 Reading basic signs and symbols practice
9:04 Order of operations/PEMDAS
10:59 Word problem strategy/tips
13:23 Word problem examples
16:02 Translating/Writing equations
22:55 Solving equations
28:20 Common math mistakes

For more math help, here are the links to some other math videos I made:
Identify place values, Compare and order #’s, Rounding:    • GED Math Rounding, Comparing, and Ord...  
Single and multi-step word problems:    • GED Math Word Problems 2024 Practice ...  
Order of operations:    • How to Beat GED Math Order of Operati...  
Solving equations, Translating words into algebraic expressions:    • GED Math Equations: Solving single an...  

Strategy for comparing and ordering numbers:
-Group by digits. Fewer digits means a smaller number, and more digits means a bigger number
-For numbers with the same number of digits, compare each place value going left to right.

Rounding:

Step 1: Identify the place value you’re being asked about

Step 2: Look at the value to the right of it. If it’s a 5 or higher, increase the number in step 1 by 1 (round up). If it’s less than 5, keep the number from step 1 the same.

Step 3: Change all digits to the right of the number in step 1 to zeroes.


Strategy for Order of Operations aka PEMDAS is to remember the following:
P = Parenthesis (or other grouping symbols that enclose operations)
E = Exponents/Square Roots
M = Multiplication
D = Division
A = Addition
S = Subtraction

5-Step Strategy for GED Word Problems: F.I.O.S.:
-The F in fios stands for find - what do you have to find?
-The I in FIOS stands for info - what info do you need to solve the question
-O in FIOS stands for operation - which operation opperation do you need to use? Addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?
-And that brings us to the S, which does double the work: the S stands for solve in sense: Solve the question and then ask if your answer makes sense.

Operations:
Subtraction: Compare numbers and find the difference
Multiplication: repeated addition. You use multiplication when you have to combine numbers more than once. You’ll usually be given one of something and will be asked to find more.
Division: To break a # into equal-sized groups

Keywords for addition:
Add
Sum
Altogether
Total
Increase
In all
Plus

Keywords for subtraction:
Less than
Decrease
Difference
Left
Lost

Quick tip for subtraction: The words "more" and "than" will be separated in some subtraction problems.

Keywords for multiplication:
Times
Total
As much
Of
By
Twice

Quick tip for multiplication: Total can suggest addition or multiplication.

Keywords for division:
Each
Quotient
Equal/equal pieces
Per

Keywords for equals:
-Is
-Are

Equations:
-An equation is a statement that two mathematical expressions are equal
-Equations may contain 1 or more variables
-A variable is a symbol we use to represent an unknown value. Could be x or y or a or b
-To solve an equation, you must get the variable by itself on one side of the equation (isolate the variable)
-You do this by doing the inverse (opposite) operation

-The inverse of addition is subtraction
-The inverse of subtraction is addition
-The inverse of multiplication is division
-The inverse of division is multiplication

KEY: Whatever you do to one side of the equation, you must also do on the other!

Common GED math mistakes:
1. Confusing a unit of measurement with a variable.

2. Thinking a letter always has the same value
Example: If you're told in one problem that x = 8, don't assume x always equals 8 throughout the whole test

3. Looking for a “secret code” for which number a letter represents
Example: Some people may think that since A is the first letter in the alphabet, that A = 1, etc. If you're stuck on a problem, it's probably because there's a concept you don't understand yet, not because of a "secret code" in the test.

4. Trying to add "unlike terms"

Please watch the video for the other mistakes I only mention in the video!

I referenced the following while researching these mistakes: www.floridaipdae.org/dfiles/resources/handouts/GED/Correctional_Institute_12-11-2014/Most_Missed_Math_Questions_Workbook.pdf