Construction Math Lecture Summary

Instructor: Joel Redford

Course: Carpenter Class
Location: Muscle Shoals Career Academy
Topic: Construction Math (NCCER Module 00)
Note: No calculators allowed for the test.

Basic Math Skills

• Elementary Concepts:
  • Addition and subtraction (not covered extensively)
  • Multiplication and division (focus on long-hand calculations)

Example Problems

• Multiplication:

  • Problem: 374 x 26
  • Steps: Solve step-by-step with carrying over method
  • Result: 9,724

• Division:

  • Problem: 2,638 ÷ 24
  • Steps: Determine how many times divisor fits into different parts of the dividend
  • Result: 109 with a remainder of 22

Metric System

• Measurement Units:
  • Length (meters, centimeters, millimeters)
  • Conversion factors:
    • 1 meter = 100 centimeters
    • 1 meter = 1,000 millimeters
    • 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters
  • Volume and Weight:
    • Volume measured in cubic units
    • Weight measured in grams, kilograms

Conversion Examples

• Convert 0.65 meters to centimeters: 65 cm
• Convert 712 centimeters to meters: 7.12 m

Fractions in Construction

• Common Fractions Used:

  • 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, (occasionally 1/32 in detailed work)

• Operations with Fractions:

  • Addition & Subtraction: Find common denominators
  • Multiplication: Multiply across numerators and denominators
  • Division: Keep-change-flip method (inverse multiplication)

Decimals

• Adding & Subtracting: Line up decimal points

• Multiplication: Ignore decimals until final step; count total decimal points from both numbers to place decimal

• Division: Adjust decimals to make the divisor a whole number; move dividend's decimal accordingly

• Conversion:

  • Decimal to Percentage: Move decimal two places to the right
  • Percentage to Decimal: Move decimal two places to the left

Geometric Formulas

• Volume:

  • Cube/Rectangular: length × width × height
  • Triangle: 1/2 × base × height × thickness

• Area:

  • Square/Rectangle: length × width
  • Triangle: 1/2 × base × height

Practical Math Applications in Construction

• Weight Calculation Example:

  • 50 sheets of drywall, each 48.6 pounds
  • Total weight = 2,430 pounds

• Material Cost Calculation:

  • Example: Stud cost calculation based on number and price per stud

• Income Calculation:

  • Earned income: $20/hour for 40 hours
  • Net income after taxes

Final Notes

• Test will include similar problems; refer to textbook sections for extra practice
• Instructor available for further questions and clarifications
• Study Recommendations:
  • Practice problems in relevant textbook sections
  • Understand and memorize conversion factors and geometric formulas

Good Luck on the Test!

End of Lecture Notes