A step-by-step guide to exploring numbers, operations, and patterns that shape everyday life

Let’s talk about the language of logic

Maths isn’t just about numbers, it’s about patterns, relationships, and problem-solving. It helps us make sense of time, money, space, and change. From budgeting your week to baking a cake, maths is quietly present in almost everything we do.

Learning basic maths builds confidence, sharpens thinking, and opens doors to science, technology, and everyday decision-making. This guide helps you explore the foundations with clarity and care.

Understand Numbers and Place Value

Numbers are the building blocks of maths.

☑ Key types:

• Whole numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3…
• Integers: Positive and negative whole numbers
• Fractions: Parts of a whole (e.g. ½, ¾)
• Decimals: Numbers with a decimal point (e.g. 3.14)
• Percentages: Parts per hundred (e.g. 25%)

✍ One number I use often is ____________________________
and it helps me with ____________________________.

Learn the Four Operations

These are the tools we use to work with numbers.

☑ The basics:

• Addition (+): Combining values
• Subtraction (−): Finding the difference
• Multiplication (×): Repeated addition
• Division (÷): Splitting into equal parts

✍ One operation I find useful is ____________________________
especially when I’m ____________________________.

Explore Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages

These help us work with parts, proportions, and comparisons.

☑ Try:

• Converting between fractions and decimals
• Finding percentages of amounts
• Comparing values using ratios

✍ A real-life use of percentages is ____________________________
like when I ____________________________.

Understand Patterns and Sequences

Maths is full of patterns, spotting them helps us predict and solve.

☑ Examples:

• Even and odd numbers
• Multiples and factors
• Arithmetic sequences (e.g. 2, 4, 6, 8…)
• Geometric sequences (e.g. 2, 4, 8, 16…)

✍ One pattern I’ve noticed is ____________________________
and it helps me understand ____________________________.

Get Comfortable with Shapes and Space

Geometry helps us understand the physical world.

☑ Key ideas:

• Lines and angles
• 2D shapes: Squares, triangles, circles
• 3D shapes: Cubes, spheres, cylinders
• Area and perimeter: Measuring space

✍ One shape I use often is ____________________________
especially when I’m ____________________________.

Try Word Problems and Real-Life Maths

Maths isn’t just numbers, it’s thinking.

☑ Practice:

• Reading carefully
• Identifying what’s being asked
• Choosing the right operation
• Checking your answer

✍ One everyday maths problem I’ve solved is ____________________________
and I used ____________________________ to figure it out.

Final Reflection: Maths as a “Mindset“

Maths isn’t just a subject, it’s a way of thinking. It teaches us to be curious, precise, and persistent. Whether you’re calculating a budget or exploring the stars, maths helps you ask better questions and find clearer answers.

✍ If I could describe maths in three words, they’d be ____________________________, ____________________________, and ____________________________.

Pop over to Gwenin for a selection of frameworks, or pop over to Spiralmore’s collections. You’re also welcome to explore our more relaxed corner: the informal blog.

Explore more with us:

• Read our Informal Blog for relaxed insights
• Discover Deconvolution and see what’s happening
• Visit Gwenin for a curated selection of frameworks
• Browse Spiralmore collections