Pre-Algebra Mnemonics

A collection of pre-algebra mnemonics - to help you to remember various math facts and figures.

Related Topics:
Math Trivia & Math Mnemonics
Math Worksheets

Pre-Algebra

Arithmetic (Spelling)

Spelling of Arithmetic:
A Rat In The House May Eat The Ice-Cream.

Arithmetic Properties

Commutative Property
The commuting distance is the same in either direction, from home to work or work to home.
The Commutative Property tells us that: a + b = b + a or a × b = b × a

Associative Property
To associate with people is to group up with them.
The Associative Property are about grouping:
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c), or (a × b) × c = a × (b × c)

Distributive Property
To distribute something is to give it to everyone.
The Distributive Property “gives” whatever’s outside the parentheses to everything inside: a (b + c)=ab + ac

Dividing One Fraction With Another

Keep the first fraction, Change the sign from divide to multiply, Flip the last fraction.
* Kentucky Chicken Fried
* Kangaroo Candy Flowers
* Koalas Chasing Ferrets

Division Algorithm (How To Do Long Division)

Divide - Multiply - Subtract - Compare - Bring Down
* Does McDonalds Serve Cheese Burgers?
* Does My Sister Cook Bananas?

Divide - Multiply - Subtract -Compare -Remainder
* Does McDonald's Sell Cheeseburgers Raw?

Feet in a Mile

5280 feet = 1 mile
5 Tomatoes
5 to (m)ate oe(s)
5 2 8 0 -- or 5,280 feet in a mile

Greater Than or Less Than?

< or > ?
Which means greater than? Which means less than? How can you tell?
The alligator has to open its mouth wider for the larger number.

Metric Unit Prefixes

Metric Units of Measure in Order

* Kilo
* Hecto
* Deca
* Units [meter, liter, gram]
* Deci
* Centi
* Milli

King Hector Doesn't Usually Drink Cold Milk.

King Henry Danced [Merrily / Lazily / Grandly] Drinking Chocolate Milk.
For the standard units you can insert [Merrily] for meter, [Lazily] for liter, or [Grandly] for gram.

Mode & Median

Mode
The mode is the value there are the most of

“MOde” and “MOst” have the same starting 2 letters.

The mode is the Most Occuring Data Entity.

Median
The median splits the data down the middle, like the median strip in a road.

Which is the Numerator, which is the Denominator?

Think “Notre Dame” (N before D)

nUmerator Up, Denominator Down

Nice Dog (N before D)

Multiplying Signed Numbers
Analogies can help here.

From sports:
we = pos, win = pos, they = neg, lose = neg, good = pos, bad = neg
  we win = good (pos × pos = pos)
  we lose = bad (pos × neg = neg)
  they win = bad (neg × pos = neg)
  they lose = good (neg × neg = pos)

From friendship:
friend = pos, enemy = neg
  My friend's friend is my friend (pos × pos = pos)
  My friend's enemy is my enemy (pos × neg = neg)
  My enemy's friend is my enemy (neg × pos = neg)
  My enemy's enemy is my friend (neg× neg = pos)

From life:
good = pos, bad = neg

   A good thing happening to a good person is good. (pos × pos = pos)
   A good thing happening to a bad person is bad. (pos × neg = neg)
   A bad thing happening to a good person is bad. (neg × pos = neg)
   A bad thing happening to a bad person is good. (neg× neg = pos)

Order of Operations
The order of mathematical operations:
* Parentheses
* Exponents
* Multiplication/Division (left to right)
* Addition/Subtraction (left to right).

PEMDAS Mnemonics
1. Please
  Excuse
  My Dear
  Aunt Sally

2. Please
  Educate
  My Daughters
  And Sons

3. Pursuing
  Education
  Means Dedication
  And Study

Roman numerals

Roman numerals: I =1, V = 5, and X = 10.
I View Xrays.

Roman Numerals: I =1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50 , C = 100 , D = 500 and M = 1000.
I Viewed Xerxes Loping Carelessly Down Mountains.
I Value Xylophones Like Cows Dig Milk

Roman numerals: L = 50 , C = 100 , D = 500 and M = 1000.
Lucy Can't Drink Milk.

Speed, Distance and Time

D = distance traveled
S = Average speed
T = Time taken

You can use the formula triangle in the following way:
If you need to find D, cover up D in the triangle and you get S × T

If you need to find S, cover up S in the triangle and you get

If you need to find T, cover up T in the triangle and you get

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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