Basic Ideas are the third of the four key aspects that Ma (2010) describes to be linked to having a profound understanding of mathematics.

Basic Ideas are ideas as they occur throughout mathematical learning which creates a solid foundation for future learning, Ma (2010).

When teaching mathematics the basic ideas should be highlighted to allow children to use these when approaching different situations. Children need to understand the basic ideas confidently to enable them to use these to help in more difficult questions/problems.

Ma (2010) believes that good mathematicians should be able to identify thee basic ideas prominent in topics to use them in future processes. Once the basic ideas have been learned they can then be use with knowledge to solve more complex calculations.

Bryce and Humes (2008) explain that having a ground knowledge of basic ideas means that you have a sound subject knowledge. We then need to use this knowledge to solve more complex calculations.