Painless Math Word Problems (Barron's Painless) [Paperback]

Marcie Abramson B.S. Ed.M. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001 | Series: Barron's Painless

Titles in Barron's Painless Series are textbook supplements designed especially for classroom use by middle school and high school students. The approach of each title is an appeal to students who think that the subject is boring, or too difficult, or both. The authors, all experienced educators, take a light approach, showing kids what is most interesting about each subject, and how seemingly difficult problems can be transformed into fun quizzes, brain-ticklers, and challenging puzzles with rational solutions. In this volume, students learn to see patterns in math word problems, then compute with decimals, fractions, compare rates, and solve proportions. Then using everyday, real-world examples, they explore statistics and probabilities, and learn how math can actually predict future outcomes and events. Other areas of practical math are examined, with a final chapter that searches out problems and activities that can be found on the World Wide Web.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)
Really. This isn't going to hurt at all . . .

Students discover interesting ways to see patterns in math word problems, and then make the correct computations to find solutions. In the process, they work with decimals and fractions, compare rates, and work with proportions and percents. The author presents everyday real-world examples which use problem-solving strategies that align with those of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The examples are presented in easy to understand language and formats that help guide students through problems in statistics, probability, and even the fundamentals of algebra. Titles in Barron's Painless Series are specially designed to remove the painful aspects of classroom instruction and transform learning into fun. A final, fascinating chapter helps students search for math word problems and activities available on the Internet.

For Middle School and High School Students



--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764115332
• ISBN-13: 978-0764115332
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest math book, August 27, 2001

By 

Andrew Clark (Scarsdale, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Painless Math Word Problems (Barron's Painless) (Paperback)

This is a really fun book to read. The peoples names are really funny and it is very challenging to do the word problems. I am having so much fun giving the problems to my friends and family to see if they can do them. I know that I will do so much better in school because I have been practicing my word problems. I would suggest that this book should be used in school too.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget kids for a minute, adult math phobia is, March 7, 2007

By 

Cortland Kirkeby (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painless Math Word Problems (Barron's Painless) (Paperback)

one of the biggest challenges, particularly for those of us in the Great Boomer Glut who are at least 15 years from retirement.

This book is phenomenal for middle and older adults who want to tune up their math chops after many years of neglect.

It's funny how many people in the world WILL NOT actually TEACH math to you or anyone else. Sometimes I think the whole ridiculous "tough love" mentality started in someone's math department.

Marcie is a magnificent exception.

Marcie's two best attributes in this book are: 1) She is more than happy to break everything down into easy-to-latch-onto baby steps; and 2) Her whole focus is INCLUSIVE and supportive.

Working through this book, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover how much I remember and can still do. More importantly, this book seems to have identified exactly where my cut-off point is -- and then extended it substantially further.

For example, I've known about the Pythagorean Theorem for years but this is the first time I ever saw the picture of a triangle with squares coming off each of the 3 sides. Wow! Suddenly I see it in a whole different light. And then using it to measure "crow flying" distance between points only reachable via L shaped road patterns.

Now, I'm ready to jump into Painless Algebra, more confident than I have been about math in a long time.

My only regret is that, to my knowledge, there is no Painless Trigonometry, Painless Calculus or Painless Statistics. Barrons should create these so I can buy them.

Thanks, Marcie. Thanks, Barrons.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I actually enjoyed working all of the problems!, September 18, 2007

By 

K. McCarty (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painless Math Word Problems (Barron's Painless) (Paperback)

I used this to review for a Middle School Math exam for teachers. I'm very glad I did. The problems aren't too easy, or too hard. I was able to work through all of the problems quickly, and upon completion I felt much more confident about my ability to pass the exam. While taking the exam, I recognized many of the same types of problems, and I was able to work them quickly and, I think, correctly. Although helpful, it was just one of the books I used to prepare. I wish I had also used Painless Algebra and Painless Geometry. I agree with another reviewer, Painless Algebra II, Painless Trig and Painless Calculus would also be helpful.