1) Pin up the Menu

Main Menu > Create > Polygon Primitives

2) Insert Polygon Primitives

The Primitives are always inserted with their center point at 0,0,0
The default scale is 1,1,1

This is indicated in the channel box
The values can be changed numerically there.

For more information see:
Help > Library ... Using MAYA > Essentials ... Workspace

3) Transform Primitives

the keys "Q", "W", "E", "R" can be used to switch between select, move, rotate and scale

The handles indicate the mode: arrows = move, circles = rotate, boxes = scale

4) Pivot Point

The pivot point for transformations is by default the center point.

To change it:
- press "Insert" to enter the Edit Mode
- move the point
- press "Insert" again to return to the previous mode

5) Snapping

Snapping is useful to position objects precisely