Maths Operations
As you go through school the maths you learn gets more complicated, but the four basic maths operations will always be the same - addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.
Here is the vocabulary that is associated with each operation.
Múinteoir John explained how each operation works with the help of some hula hoops and balls –
Addition
When we're doing addition, our number is going to grow. It will always be bigger if we are adding to it.
5 balls in hoop 1 and 3 balls in hoop 2. Count them all up and you have a total of 8 balls.
5+3=8
Subtraction
The difference between subtraction and addition is that we have a number at the start which we're going to make smaller! With addition we are adding, with subtraction we are taking away
12 balls in a hoop, take away 7 balls and you have 5 balls left.
12-7 = 5
Multiplication
Let's say 'X' means ‘groups of’
6 X 3 means 6 groups of 3.
6 balls + 6 balls + 6 balls = 18 balls
Division
With division we start with a number that we are DIVIDING into smaller numbers. I have 18 balls and I want to divide it into 6 groups. Each group gets 3 balls.
18 divided by 6 = 3
Get your hula hoops (or something smaller) out and have a go at home!
Send us pictures or videos of what you have done. Ask your parents to help you send them to rte.ie/learn
Hula Hoop Games
When you are finished with your mathematics practice here are a few other uses for your hula hoops, besides hula hooping.
Ring toss – Throw the hula hoop over a target e.g. a water bottle, empty plant pot, a bin, anything! Or you could try another human if you can find someone willing. OR use the hula hoop as the target and throw bean bags or balls into it from a distance.
Skipping – Skipping is great exercise and if you are not too tall and the hoop isn't too small you could try skipping with it.
Thread the Hula – You’ll need a few people for this. Get everyone in your house to stand in a circle holding hands. The hoop will start on one person’s arm. See can you get the hula all the way around the circle by wriggling your bodies and stepping in and out of the hoops and threading over your body, arms and head.
Maths Mosaic
Special thanks to Twinkl.ie who provided the maths operations vocabulary images and Maths Mosaic.
Send us pictures or videos of what you have done. Ask your parents to help you send them to rte.ie/learn
Answer: Fish
