Master Math: Basic Math and Pre-Algebra [Paperback]

Debra Anne Ross (Author)

Book Description

Series: Master Math | Publication Date: August 1, 1996

Master Math: Basic Math and Pre-Algebra teaches the reader in a very user-friendly and accessible manner the principles and formulas for establishing a solid math foundation. This book covers topics such as complex fractions, mixed numbers and improper fractions; converting fractions, percents, and decimals; solving equations with logarithms or exponents, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Debra Anne Ross has a double BA in Chemistry and Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MS in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning; 1 edition (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564142140
• ISBN-13: 978-1564142146
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Parent book to understand K-8 grade Mathematics., October 30, 1999

By 

Candy L. Geiger (Oklahoma City, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master Math: Basic Math and Pre-Algebra (Paperback)

I found the book in the library and took it home. I find it to be an excellent book describing every mathematical function from counting and the number line to logarithms and square roots, including fractions, decimals and percents. I'll be using this book as a reference for sequential teaching as a volunteer tutor--that's why I'm purchasing this book today.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A big help, February 10, 2003

By 

Marilyn Dalrymple "MaLing" (Lancaster, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Master Math: Basic Math and Pre-Algebra (Paperback)

I have always avoided math whenever possible, but now I have to pass a college level math course in order to complete a degree. This book has helped me review the basics and slowly work my way into more advanced math.

The only reason I gave it a "4" is because I find I sometimes need to refer elsewhere for further information. That is my weakness, though. Not the books.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has to review basic math skills, and/or move on to higher math.

94 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Table of Contents, July 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Master Math: Basic Math and Pre-Algebra (Paperback)

Table of Contents for the first book in the Master Math series, Basic Math and Pre-Algebra

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Numbers and Their Operations 5

1.1. Digits and the base ten system 6 1.2. Whole numbers 7 1.3. Addition of whole numbers 7 1.4. Subtraction of whole numbers 15 1.5. Multiplication of whole numbers 22 1.6. Division of whole numbers 35 1.7. Divisibility, remainders, factors and multiples 43 1.8. Integers 45 1.9. Even and odd integers 46 1.10. Zero 47 1.11. Addition and subtraction of negative and positive integers 48 1.12. Multiplication and division of negative and positive integers 51 1.13. The real number line 52 1.14. Absolute value 53 1.15. Prime numbers 54 1.16. Rational vs. irrational numbers 54 1.17. Complex numbers 55 1.18. Rounding, truncating and estimating numbers 59 1.19. Inequalities, >, <, ¡Ý, ¡Ü 62 1.20. Factorial 66

Chapter 2 Fractions 67

2.1. Definitions 67 2.2. Multiplying fractions 68 2.3. Adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators 69 2.4. Adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators 70 2.5. Dividing fractions 76 2.6. Reducing fractions 77 2.7. Complex fractions, mixed numbers and improper fractions 78 2.8. Adding and subtracting mixed numbers 82 2.9. Comparing fractions: Which is larger or smaller? 83

Chapter 3 Decimals 87

3.1. Definitions 87 3.2. Adding and subtracting decimals 90 3.3. Multiplying decimals 93 3.4. Dividing decimals 95 3.5. Rounding decimals 97 3.6. Comparing the size of decimals 98 3.7. Decimals and money 99

Chapter 4 Percentages 101

4.1. Definitions 101 4.2. Figuring out the percents of numbers 102 4.3. Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing percents 105 4.4. Percent increase and decrease (percent change) 107 4.5. Simple and compound interest 109

Chapter 5 Converting Percentages, Fractions and Decimals 111

5.1. Converting fractions to percents 111 5.2. Converting percents to fractions 112 5.3. Converting fractions to decimals 113 5.4. Converting decimals to fractions 113 5.5. Converting percents to decimals 115 5.6. Converting decimals to percents 117

Chapter 6 Ratios, Proportions and Variation 118

6.1. Definitions 118 6.2. Comparing ratios to fractions and percents 120 6.3. Variation and proportion 121

Chapter 7 Powers and Exponents 123

7.1. Definition of the exponent or power 123

7.2. Negative exponents 124 7.3. Multiplying exponents with the same base 125 7.4. Multiplying exponents with different bases 126 7.5. Dividing exponents with the same base 126 7.6. Dividing exponents with different bases 128 7.7. Raising a power of a base to a power 128 7.8. Distributing exponents into parenthesis 129 7.9. Addition of exponents 130 7.10. Subtraction of exponents 131 7.11. Exponents involving fractions 131

Chapter 8 Logarithms 133

8.1. Definition of the logarithm 133 8.2. Common (base ten) and natural logarithm 135 8.3. Solving equations with logarithms or exponents 136 8.4. Exponential form and logarithmic form 138 8.5. Laws of logarithms; addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, power and radical 139 8.6. Examples: the Richter scale, pH and radiometric dating 140

Chapter 9 Roots and Radicals 145

9.1. Definitions 146 9.2. The square root 147 9.3. Estimating square roots 149 9.4. The cubed root 152 9.5. The fourth and fifth roots 153 9.6. Simplifying radicals by factoring 154 9.7. Multiplying radicals 155 9.8. Dividing radicals 155 9.9. Radicals involving fractions 156 9.10. Rationalizing the denominator 156 9.11. Addition of radicals 157 9.12. Subtraction of radicals 158

Chapter 10 Important Statistical Quantities 159

10.1. Average (arithmetic mean) 159 10.2. Median 161 10.3. Mode 163 10.4. Probability 164 10.5. Standard deviation, variance, histograms and distributions 164

Index 170

Appendix 173