Pre-Algebra Essentials For Dummies®
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2019936522
ISBN 978-1-119-59086-6 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-59100-9 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-59102-3 (ebk)
Why do people often enter preschool excited about learning how to count and leave high school as young adults convinced that they can’t do math? The answer to this question would probably take 20 books this size, but solving the problem of math aversion can begin right here.
Remember, just for a moment, an innocent time — a time before math inspired panic attacks or, at best, induced irresistible drowsiness. In this book, I take you from an understanding of the basics to the place where you’re ready to enter any algebra class and succeed.
Somewhere along the road from counting to algebra, most people experience the Great Math Breakdown. Please consider this book your personal roadside helper, and think of me as your friendly math mechanic (only much cheaper!). The tools for fixing the problem are in this book.
I’ve broken down the concepts into easy-to-understand sections. And because Pre-Algebra Essentials For Dummies is a reference book, you don’t have to read the chapters or sections in order — you can look over only what you need. So feel free to jump around. Whenever I cover a topic that requires information from earlier in the book, I refer you to that section or chapter in case you want to refresh yourself on the essentials.
Note that this book covers only need-to-know info. For a broader look at pre-algebra, you can pick up a copy of Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies or the corresponding workbook.
To help you navigate your way through this book, I use the following conventions:
MonofontIf you’re planning to read this book, you’re likely
My only assumption about your skill level is that you can add, subtract, multiply, and divide. So to find out whether you’re ready for this book, take this simple test:
If you can answer these four questions, you’re ready to begin.
Throughout the book, I use three icons to highlight what’s hot and what’s not:
This icon points out key ideas that you need to know. Make sure you understand before reading on! Remember this info even after you close the book.
Tips are helpful hints that show you the quick and easy way to get things done. Try them out, especially if you’re taking a math course.
Warnings flag common errors that you want to avoid. Get clear about where these little traps are hiding so you don’t fall in.
You can use this book in a few ways. If you’re reading this book without immediate time pressure from a test or homework assignment, you can certainly start at the beginning and keep on going through to the end. The advantage to this method is that you realize how much math you do know — the first few chapters go very quickly. You gain a lot of confidence as well as some practical knowledge that can help you later on, because the early chapters also set you up to understand what follows.
Or how about this: When you’re ready to work, read up on the topic you’re studying. Leave the book on your nightstand and, just before bed, spend a few minutes reading the easy stuff from the early chapters. You’d be surprised how a little refresher on simple stuff can suddenly cause more-advanced concepts to click.
If your time is limited — especially if you’re taking a math course and you’re looking for help with your homework or an upcoming test — skip directly to the topic you’re studying. Wherever you open the book, you can find a clear explanation of the topic at hand, as well as a variety of hints and tricks. Read through the examples and try to do them yourself, or use them as templates to help you with assigned problems.