Customer Reviews

Merriam-Webster's Guide to Everyday Math : A Home and Business Reference

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Many of us forget math concepts we were introduced to at school. For a quick brush up, this is a good reference book. Fractions, decimals, percents, arithmetic concepts, elementary algebra, trigonometry and other such items are all covered. Besides, in keeping with its title of "everyday math," the book also goes into such things are interest rates, IRA and 410(k) math, stocks, mortgages, basic book-keeping and even casino gambling! The occasional anecdote or story pertaining to math (one was on the titles of alcohol measures such as jeroboams and rehoboams, another on the Father of Algebra) give welcome breaks from the technical text.

I can't imagine what's not to like about this book. You won't find derivative tables or anything but you will find explanations and formulas for almost any math you'll need in daily life. I especially like the book because it gives explanations and concepts that lie behind the numbers and formulas. For example, in the money section you'll find the standard formulas but you'll also find hints about investment strategies (mathematically based) and hints for reading stock tables. A great reference book.

This book on Everyday Math is wonderful. A must have item in the home.

This a very helpful book. I know a home-skooler wacko who distrusts government but trusts this volume enough it is the main textbook in maths for her 6 year old. I claim responsibility for introducing wacko and her treble wacko hubby to his book ... desperation, the kid is not going to be engineer material [but I can hope] but I am trying to save him from a life of flipping hamburgers.
That written, much of this book covers what was called `practical math' ... really useful stuff not `rocket science' stuff culled from an MIT blackboard.
This book not only well written and understandable it is totally without the sick `humor' which seems to be in style in maths books.