Math skills are needed throughout a chemistry course.
Algebra
Algebra is used to solve equations by un-doing whatever is being done to an unknown variable. For example, if an equation has “x+2” then you would subtract “2” to solve for “x”. Everything that is done to one side must be done to the other side of the equation as well.
Calculations with significant figures
You cannot become more precise after completing calculations than the original data was. Therefore, it is important to write the answer with the correct number of significant figures. When adding and subtracting with significant figures, you write the answer with the least number of decimal places that are in the problem. When multiplying and dividing, write the answer with the least number of significant figures as is in the problems.
Scientific Notation
Scientific notation is a way of writing large or small numbers as a multiple of 10. The decimal place is always placed behind the first non-zero number and the number of times the decimal point was moved to get there is used as the exponent of 10. Positive exponents represent large numbers (>1) and negative exponents represent small numbers (<1).
Exponents
Several rules are used for exponents:
- Anything to the 1st power = the original number
- Anything to the power of 0 = 1
- When multiplying numbers with exponents, if the #’s are the same, you can add the exponents and put the total with the original number
- When dividing numbers with exponents, if the #’s are the same, you can subtract the exponents and put the difference with the original number
- When taking a power to a power, multiply the powers
- A negative power indicates that it’s on the opposite side of the fraction
There are similar rules when working with scientific notation numbers:
- Addition with same powers of 10: Add the numbers and keep the power of 10 the same.
- Subtraction with the same powers of 10: Subtract the numbers and keep the power of 10 the same.
- Multiplication: Multiply the numbers and add the powers of 10
- Division: Divide the numbers and subtract the powers of 10
- Power: Take the number to that power and multiply the power of 10 by the power
- Roots: Take the root of the number and divide the power of 10 by the root
Logarithms
Logarithms are a way of counting in multiples of a base number. If 
then 
. If no base is specified, it’s assumed to be 10. A natural log (ln) uses the base of “e” (2.313).
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is used to solve for a variable when there is the variable to the 2nd power and to the 1st power in the same equation. If 
then 
Calculator Tips
People often get incorrect answers simply from a mistake in the way they enter numbers into their calculator. When dividing by more than one number, use the ¸ button each time. When entering scientific notation, always use the EE (or EXP) button rather than entering (^10). Be sure to use parenthesis around addition and subtraction when combining with multiplication and division, and also when taking a value (especially a negative value) to a power.
