Mathematics is woven into many areas of everyday life. Performing mathematical calculations with success requires an understanding of the correct methods, procedures, practice, and review of these principles. Mathematics may be thought of as a set of tools. The aviation mechanic needs these tools to successfully complete the maintenance, repair, installation, or certification of aircraft equipment.

Many examples of using mathematical principles by the aviation mechanic are available. Tolerances in turbine engine components are critical, making it necessary to measure within a ten-thousandth of an inch. Because of these close tolerances, it is important that the aviation mechanic can make accurate measurements and mathematical calculations. An aviation mechanic working on aircraft fuel systems also uses mathematical principles to calculate volumes and capacities of fuel tanks. The use of fractions and surface area calculations are required to perform sheet metal repair on aircraft structures.

Whole numbers are the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on. Whole numbers can be thought of as counting numbers.

Addition is the process where the value of one number is added to the value of another. The result is called the sum. When working with whole numbers, it is important to understand the principle of the place value. The place value in a whole number is the value of the position of each individual digit within the entire number. For example, in the number 512, the 5 is in the hundreds column, the 1 is in the tens column, and the 2 is in the ones column. Examples of place values of three whole numbers are shown in Figure 3-1.

When adding several whole numbers, such as 4,314, 122, 93,132, and 10, align them into columns according to place value and then add.

4,314 122 93,132 + 10 97,578

Therefore, 97,578 is the sum of the four whole numbers.

Subtraction is the process where the value of one number is taken from the value of another. The result is called the difference. When subtracting two whole numbers, such as 3,461 from 97,564, align them into columns according to place value and then subtract.

97,564

The difference of the two whole numbers is 94,103.

Multiplication is the process of repeated addition. For example,

Example: How many hydraulic system filters do you have if there are 35 cartons in the supply room and each carton contains 18 filters?