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Stephen Lyon and Michael Anderson

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for teachers and educators who don’t have a specialism in maths but wish to learn mathematical methods and improve their understanding. This includes:

Topics Covered

Read more

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for teachers and educators who don’t have a specialism in maths but wish to learn mathematical methods and improve their understanding. This includes:

Topics Covered

  • The history of numbers and different types of numbers
  • Working in different number bases
  • Factors, multiples and prime numbers
  • The order in which we perform calculations
  • Exact answers
  • Number sequences

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Reviews summary

Foundational math for educators

According to students, this course is an invaluable resource for teachers and educators looking to solidify their understanding of core mathematical concepts. Many commend the clear explanations and the well-structured content, which effectively breaks down complex ideas into manageable chunks. Learners particularly appreciate the fascinating historical context of numbers and how it builds confidence in teaching mathematics. While a few found the depth slightly too simplistic for advanced needs, for its target audience seeking foundational subject knowledge, it is widely considered highly effective and a solid refresher. Some reviews suggest it could benefit from more interactive elements.
Well-paced for most, but some desire more interactivity.
"The pace was just right, allowing me to grasp complex ideas without feeling rushed."
"I found it lacked engagement. The format was mostly lectures without enough interactive elements."
"Sometimes the delivery felt a bit dry, and I had to supplement for practical application ideas."
Provides fascinating historical perspective on numbers.
"The historical context of numbers was fascinating and added a new dimension to my understanding."
"I learned so much about the 'why' behind mathematical rules that I never fully grasped before."
"The way it explained number sequences and the historical perspective was truly enlightening."
Directly enhances subject knowledge for teaching purposes.
"As a primary school teacher, this course was invaluable. I now feel much more confident teaching these topics."
"Excellent course for anyone teaching maths, even if you think you know it all."
"I found it a good bridge between what I know and how to explain it better to students."
"This course is a gem for teachers! It filled so many gaps in my understanding of foundational number concepts."
Helps solidify understanding of core mathematical concepts.
"It really helped me solidify my understanding of core number concepts, especially the reasoning behind operations and different number systems."
"The instructor's explanations were incredibly clear, breaking down potentially difficult concepts into manageable chunks."
"I learned so much about the 'why' behind mathematical rules that I never fully grasped before."
"The explanations of number bases were particularly clear."
Ideal for foundational knowledge, less for advanced insights.
"I found this course a bit too simplistic for my needs... not for experienced teachers seeking advanced insights."
"It covered the basics but didn't quite meet my expectations for 'subject knowledge'... just alright for deepening existing understanding."
"I felt some parts could have gone a bit deeper for those looking for advanced insights."

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Coming soon We're preparing activities for Maths Subject Knowledge: Understanding Numbers. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Maths Subject Knowledge: Understanding Numbers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Provides a comprehensive overview of number systems in computer science. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in computer science.
Provides a comprehensive overview of number theory and cryptography. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in mathematics and computer science.
Provides a concise and accessible introduction to number systems. It is suitable for a wide range of readers, from high school students to professionals in mathematics and computer science.
Provides a comprehensive overview of number systems in Spanish. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in mathematics and computer science.
Provides a historical and philosophical overview of number systems. It is suitable for a wide range of readers, from high school students to professionals in mathematics and computer science.
Provides a unified treatment of number systems, coding, and information theory. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in computer science, electrical engineering, and mathematics.
Provides a comprehensive overview of number systems, including their history and applications. It is suitable for a wide range of readers, from high school students to professionals in mathematics and computer science.
Provides a concise and accessible introduction to number systems. It is suitable for undergraduate students in mathematics and computer science.
Provides a comprehensive overview of number systems in German. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in mathematics and computer science.
A widely-used textbook in undergraduate computer science programs, this book deeply explores how numbers are represented and manipulated within computer systems. It covers integer and floating-point representations and computer arithmetic, essential for students in computer organization and architecture courses. It valuable reference for understanding the practical implications of number systems.
This textbook provides a unified approach to digital logic and computer architecture, starting with a solid introduction to number systems and their use in digital circuits. It's a core text for undergraduate engineering and computer science students. It effectively solidifies understanding of how number systems translate into hardware.
A popular textbook for digital logic design courses, this book emphasizes the practical application of number systems in designing digital circuits using VHDL. It's crucial for students in switching theory and logic design courses. It serves as both a textbook and a useful reference.
This comprehensive discrete mathematics textbook includes dedicated chapters covering number systems, integers, and basic number theory. It provides essential mathematical background for various computing and math-related fields. Useful as a reference for foundational concepts.
Offers a captivating journey through the historical development and cultural significance of numbers and different number systems across the world. It provides a broad, non-technical perspective that enriches the understanding of why our current number system is the way it is. It is more valuable as engaging additional reading.
An accessible and engaging introduction to elementary number theory, suitable for undergraduates. It covers fundamental concepts such as prime numbers, congruences, and quadratic reciprocity with a focus on intuition and examples. It helps deepen mathematical understanding of number properties beyond basic systems.
This textbook provides a solid introduction to elementary number theory with a focus on computational aspects and applications, including cryptography. It's suitable for undergraduate students in mathematics and computer science. It effectively connects theoretical concepts to practical uses.
A classic and widely-adopted textbook for introductory digital logic and computer design courses. It provides a clear explanation of number systems, binary arithmetic, and their role in the design of digital circuits. Essential prerequisite reading for digital electronics and logic design courses.
A highly influential textbook covering the fundamentals of computer organization and design. It delves into data representation, including number systems and floating-point formats, and the implementation of arithmetic operations in hardware. A must-read for understanding the hardware basis of number systems.
Provides a concise and accessible introduction to the hexadecimal system. It is suitable for undergraduate students in mathematics and computer science.

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