Hi! I'm Teacher Amara. Let's get these math fundamentals so solid you could do them in your sleep. These three topics are the 'big wins' of middle school math—master them, and everything else gets easier.

You can't add apples and oranges, and you can't add thirds and quarters. To add or subtract, the bottom numbers (denominators) must match. We find a number both denominators go into (the LCM).

Worked Example Solve: \frac{2}{3} + rac{1}{4}

What is $\frac{2}{5} + \frac{1}{3}$?

Instead of scary decimals, start with 10%. To find 10% of any number, just move the decimal point one spot to the left. Once you have 10%, you can find 5% (half it) or 20% (double it).

Worked Example Find $15\%$ of $80$.

What is $20\%$ of $150$?

Confusing Area and Perimeter is the #1 mistake students make.

• Perimeter: The 'Fence.' The distance around the outside edge.
• Area: The 'Grass.' The flat space inside the shape.

Worked Example Find the area and perimeter of a $4$m $\times$$9$m garden.

• Perimeter:$4 + 9 + 4 + 9 = 26$m.
• Area:$4 \times 9 = 36$m².

A rectangular desk is $6$cm wide and $12$cm long. What is its Area?