Arithmetic is the most basic form of mathematics, and it is the foundation upon which all other areas of math are built. It consists of four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These operations can be performed on whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and even negative numbers. Arithmetic is used every day in both our personal lives and our professional lives. For example, we use arithmetic when we budget our money or calculate how much time we need to complete a task.
While arithmetic may seem like a simple concept at first glance, there is actually a lot of depth to it. For instance, did you know that there are different ways to perform division? There’s the standard algorithm that most people learn in school (dividing the large number by the small number), but there’s also something called long division where you divide both numbers into smaller parts before performing the operation. There are also different methods for solving complex equations with multiple variables involved. As you can see then, “arithmetic” refers not just to one specific set of mathematical principles but rather an entire field of study unto itself!