# Mathematics for Technology I (Math 1131)

Study Force Academy
Durham College, Mathematics
Free
• 55 lessons
• 1 quizzes
• 10 week duration
• ##### Numerical Computation

Here you'll be introduced to the bare basics of mathematics. Topics include commonly used words and phrases, symbols, and how to follow the order of operations.

• ##### Measurements

An introduction to numerical computation. Emphasis is placed on scientific and engineering notation, the rule of significant figures, and converting between SI and Imperial units.

• ##### Trigonometry with Right Triangles

Here we focus on right angle triangles within quadrant I of an x-y plane. None of the angles we evaluate here are greater than 90°. A unit on trigonometry with oblique triangles is covered later.

• ##### Trigonometry with Oblique Triangles

This unit is a continuation of trigonometry with right triangles except we'll extend our understanding to deal with angles *greater* than 90°. Resolving and combining vectors will be covered at the end of this unit.

• ##### Geometry

This unit focuses on analyzing and understand the characteristics of various shapes, both 2D and 3D.

## Mathematics for Technology I (Math 1131)

### Solve Literal Equations

A literal equation is one in which some or all of the constants are represented by letters. Arguably any mathematical formula expressing an actual relationship between its variables is a literal equation. Take the Pythagorean theorem formula as an example.

${a}^{2}+{b}^{2}={c}^{2}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}$

It consists of three variables, a and b are the side lengths while c represents the length of the hypotenuse. It can manipulated in a couple of ways:

$c=\sqrt{{a}^{2}+{b}^{2}}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}b=\sqrt{{c}^{2}–{a}^{2}}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}a=\sqrt{{c}^{2}–{b}^{2}}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}$

When a formula contains numbers as well, such as the area of a circle, A = πr², it’s called a numerical equation – π is an irrational number. Therefore, given that literal equations don’t have numbers, rearranging them should never yield any numbers. Let’s try rearranging a few equations in the following video: