Formatting page numbers where I want them.. HELP!

I am sorta just getting the hang of page numbering. I understand that Page Numbers and Number of Pages are different. When I format the Master page for current page number, it does the number of pages rather than where I want page 1 to start (on the Chapter 1 page) and when I format it so page numbers don't show on the front matter, it doesnot update the page numbers so Page 1 starts on chapter 1.  I have went in to the "Numbering and Sections" tab as well and adjusted it so it starts numbering on Chapter 1/ Page 3 but it does nothing.  (Page 3 is where Chapter 1 starts - Right now.)