Tips for simplifying tricky operations

Get the skills you need to solve problems and equations and be ready for algebra class

Whether you're a student preparing to take algebra or a parent who wants to brush up on basic math, this fun, friendly guide has the tools you need to get in gear. From positive, negative, and whole numbers to fractions, decimals, and percents, you'll build necessary skills to tackle more advanced topics, such as imaginary numbers, variables, and algebraic equations.

• Understand fractions, decimals, and percents

• Unravel algebra word problems

• Grasp prime numbers, factors, and multiples

• Work with graphs and measures

• Solve single and multiple variable equations

Introduction.

Part I: Arming Yourself with the Basics of Basic Math.

Chapter 1: Playing the Numbers Game.

Chapter 2: It’s All in the Fingers — Numbers and Digits.

Chapter 3: The Big Four: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division.

Part II: Getting a Handle on Whole Numbers.

Chapter 4: Putting the Big Four Operations to Work.

Chapter 5: A Question of Values: Evaluating Arithmetic Expressions.

Chapter 6: Say What? Turning Words into Numbers.

Chapter 7: Divisibility.

Chapter 8: Fabulous Factors and Marvelous Multiples.

Part III: Parts of the Whole: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents.

Chapter 9: Fooling with Fractions.

Chapter 10: Parting Ways: Fractions and the Big Four Operations.

Chapter 11: Dallying with Decimals.

Chapter 12: Playing with Percents.

Chapter 13: Word Problems with Fractions, Decimals, and Percents.

Part IV: Picturing and Measuring — Graphs, Measures, Stats, and Sets.

Chapter 14: A Perfect Ten: Condensing Numbers with Scientific Notation.

Chapter 15: How Much Have You Got? Weights and Measures.

Chapter 16: Picture This: Basic Geometry.

Chapter 17: Seeing Is Believing: Graphing as a Visual Tool.

Chapter 18: Turning Geometry and Measurements into Word Problems.

Chapter 19: Figuring Your Chances: Statistics and Probability.

Chapter 20: Setting Things Up with Basic Set Theory.

Part V: The X-Files: Introduction to Algebra.

Chapter 21: Enter Mr. X: Algebra and Algebraic Expressions.

Chapter 22: Unmasking Mr. X: Algebraic Equations.

Chapter 23: Putting Mr. X to Work: Algebra Word Problems.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 24: Ten Key Math Concepts You Shouldn’t Ignore.

Chapter 25: Ten Important Number Sets You Should Know.

Index.

Mark Zegarelli is the author of Logic For Dummies (Wiley). He holds degrees in both English and math from Rutgers University. He has earned his living for many years writing vast quantities of logic puzzles, a hefty chunk of software documentation, and the occasional book or film review. Along the way, he’s also paid a few bills doing housecleaning, decorative painting, and (for ten hours) retail sales. He likes writing best, though.

Distributor: John Wiley & Sons
Publication Date: 10-01-2007
Pages: 384
Measurements: 233.6mm X 187.89mm X 20.299mm X 19.2oz