10

2.4 Prime and

composite numbers

Construction Mathematics

Any positive integer having no factors other than itself and unity is
called a prime number. Also, prime numbers are greater than 1. Some of
the prime numbers are: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37 etc.
The factors of 7 are 7 and 1, as 7  1  7
Similarly the factors of 11 are 11 and 1, as 11  1  11
Prime numbers can be divided only by their factors, for example:
7
7
 7 and
1
7
1
A composite number can have other factors in addition to itself and 1.
For example, number 12, which is not a prime number, has the following factors:
2  6  12
2  2  3  12
3  4  12
1  12  12

2.5 Square
numbers

A number that can be obtained by squaring another number is called a

square number. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100 are some of the square
numbers as they can be obtained by squaring 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and
10 respectively.

2.6 Addition and

subtraction

Addition involves combining two or more numbers to give the sum

total. The plus sign (
) is used to denote addition.
Subtraction involves taking a number away from another number.
The minus or negative sign () is used to denote subtraction. The following rules apply to addition/subtraction:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

x
yx
y
for example: 11
5  16
xyxy
11  5  6
x
(y)  x  y
11
(5)  11  5  6
x  (y)  x
y
11  (5)  11
5  16
x y   (x
y)
11 5  (11
5)  16

EXAMPLE 2.1
A bricklayer bought the following items at a local DIY store:
concrete bricks 80.00;

cement 7.50;

sand 8.80

If the cost of delivering the materials was 6.00, nd:

(a) The total amount of the bill
(b) The change he received if he gave 110 to the cashier