Mathematics is notorious for its emphasis on the “little details”, neglecting which can mean the difference between failure and a passing grade, not just for young students but even for many high students, young adults, and adults. Here are three tips to help navigate the tricky world of arithmetic: 1) a “Product” is the resulting number you get when you multiply two or more numbers. 12 is the PRODUCT of 3 times 4. 2) Subtraction is the same as ADDING THE NEGATIVE: 3 – 2 = -2 + 3 3) Fractions must have the same denominator in order to be added or subtracted. 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6