Using numbers and handling data

This course aims to teach learners how to work with numbers and data effectively. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand decimals, perform operations with decimal numbers, handle common units of measurement, differentiate between accuracy and precision, identify common errors in mathematical calculations, create and interpret graphs, and calculate descriptive statistics. The course utilizes a combination of theoretical explanations, practical examples, and interactive exercises to help learners grasp the concepts. This course is designed for individuals who want to improve their numerical and data handling skills, especially those working in healthcare or other professions where accuracy and precision are crucial.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Decimals
• 1 Decimals
• 1.1 Introducing the decimal system of numbers
• 1.2 Decimal points
• 1.2.1 Study Note 1
• 1.3 Marking decimals on a scale
• 1.4 Decimal places
• 1.4.1 Study Note 2
• 1.5 Rounding to decimal places
• Study Note 3 'Dos and don'ts' with decimals in the healthcare workplace
• 1.6 Multiplication and division by factors of ten
• 1.6.1 Getting comfortable with factors of ten
• Common units of measurement
• 1.6.3 Litres and kilograms
• 1.7 SI units and conversions
• 1.8 Adding and subtracting decimal numbers
• 1.8.1 Study Note 4
• 1.9 Addition of decimal numbers
• 1.10 Subtraction of decimal numbers
• 1.11 Addition and subtraction in practice - fluid balance
• 2 Accuracy, precision and common errors
• 2 Accuracy, precision and common errors
• 2.1 Differences between accuracy and precision
• 2.2 Checking accuracy and precision
• 2.1.1 Accuracy
• 2.2.2 Precision
• 2.3 Common maths problems and errors in the workplace
• 2.4 Sources of errors
• 2.5 What is a sensible dose?
• 3 Handling data
• 3 Handling data
• 3.1 Graphs
• 3.2 The anatomy of a graph
• 3.2.1 Axes
• 3.2.2 Choice of scale
• 3.3 Types of graphs and their uses
• 3.4 Bar graphs
• 3.5 Line graphs
• Questions relating to Figure 11
• 3.6 Graphs with unusual scales - graphing exponentials
• 3.6.1 Radioactivity and bugs!
• 3.6.2 Exponential increase: bacteria
• 3.6.3 Exponential decrease: radioactive decay
• 3.6.4 Representing exponential relationships using graphs
• 3.6.5 Using the gradient of a semi-logarithmic graph to calculate doubling time or half-life
• 3.7 Descriptive statistics
• 3.7.1 Averages: finding the middle of a group of numbers
• 3.8 Descriptive statistics
• 3.8.1 Standard deviation: finding how reproducible a series of measurements are
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements