2.1 Calculations with large numbers
The best way to get used to these types of calculations is to go straight into an example.
Example: Calculations with large numbers
Calculate the total population of Malta (0.4 million) and Cyprus (1.2 million).
Method 1
Work in shortened form:
1.2 + 0.4 = 1.6 million
Method 2
Write the numbers in full:
1 200 000 + 400 000 = 1 600 000 (1.6 million)
Activity 7: Calculations with large numbers
Calculate the total turnover for Cambria Trading over the first quarter (3 months).
| Month | Profit (£ million) |
| January | 1.2 |
| February | 0.9 |
| March | 0.85 |
| April | 1.1 |
| May | 1.02 |
| June | 0.87 |
| July | 1.19 |
| August | 0.98 |
| September | 1.05 |
| October | 1.08 |
| November | 1.8 |
| December | 1.65 |
Calculate the turnover of the last quarter.
Calculate the difference in turnover between the first and last quarters.
a.Which month had the largest turnover?
b.Which month had the smallest turnover?
c.What is the difference between the largest and smallest turnovers?
Answer
Profit in 1st quarter 1.2 + 0.9 + 0.85 = £2.95 million
Profit in last quarter 1.08 + 1.8 + 1.65 = £4.53 million
The difference is 4.53 − 2.95 = £1.58 million
a.November had the largest turnover at £1.8 million.
b.March had the smallest at £0.85 million.
c.The difference is 1.8 − 0.85 = £0.95 million.
Summary
In this section you have learned how to:
write large numbers in full and shortened forms
- round large numbers
- add and subtract large numbers.