Mathematics for the Trades : A Guided Approach

This book focuses on the fundamental concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry needed by learners in technical trade programs. A wealth of exercises and applications, coded by trade area, include such trades as machine tool, plumbing, carpentry, electrician, auto mechanic, construction, electronics, metal-working, landscaping, drafting, manufacturing, HVAC, police science, food service, and many other occupational and vocational programs. The authors interviewed trades workers, apprentices, teachers, and training program directors to ensure realistic problems and applications and added over 100 new exercises to this edition. Chapter content includes arithmetic of whole numbers, fractions, decimal numbers, measurement, basic algebra, practical plane geometry, triangle trigonometry, and advanced algebra. For individuals who will need technical math skills to succeed in a wide variety of trades.

This book provides the practical mathematics skills needed in a wide variety of trade and technical areas, including electronics, auto mechanics, construction trades, air conditioning, machine technology, welding, drafting, and many other occupations. It is especially intended for students who have a poor math background and for adults who have been out of school for a time. Most of these students have had little success in mathematics, some openly fear it, and all need a direct, practical approach that emphasizes careful, complete explanations and actual on-the-job applications. This book is intended to provide practical help with real math, beginning at each student's own individual level of ability. Features Those who have difficulty with mathematics will find in this book several special features designed to make it most effective for them: Careful attention has been given toreadability.Reading specialists have helped plan both the written text and the visual organization. Adiagnostic pretestand performanceobjectiveskeyed to the text are included at the beginning of each unit. These clearly indicate the content of each unit and provide the student with a sense of direction. Each unit ends with aproblem setcovering the work of the unit. Theformatis clear and easy to follow. It respects the individual needs of each reader, providing immediate feedback at each step to ensure understanding and continued attention. The emphasis is onexplainingconcepts rather than simplypresentingthem. This is a practical presentation rather than a theoretical one. Special attention has been given toon-the-job math skills,using a wide variety of real problems and situations. Many problems parallel those that appear on professional and apprenticeship exams. The answers to all problems are given in the back of the book. A light, livelyconversational styleof writing and a pleasant, easy- to understand visual approach are used. The use of humor is designed to appeal to students who have in the past found mathematics to be dry and uninteresting. Seven editions and over two decades of experience with a wide variety of students indicate that this approach is successful--the book works and students learn, many of them experiencing success in mathematics for the first time. Flexibility of use was a major criterion in the design of the book. Field testing and extensive experience with the first five editions indicate that the book can be used successfully in a variety of course formats. It can be used as a textbook in traditional lecture-oriented courses. It is very effective in situations where an instructor wishes to modify a traditional course by devoting a portion of class time to independent study. The book is especially useful in programs of individualized or self-paced instruction, whether in a learning lab situation, with tutors, with audio tapes, or in totally independent study. Calculators Calculators are a necessary tool for workers in trade and technical areas, and we have recognized this by using calculators extensively in the text, both in fording numerical solutions to problems, including specific keystroke sequences, and in determining the values of transcendental functions. We have taken care to first explain all concepts and problem solving without the use of the calculator and to estimate and check answers. Many realistic problems included in the exercise sets involve large numbers, repeated calculations, and large quantities of information and are ideally suited to calculator use. They are representative of actual trades situations where a calculator is needed. Detailed instruction on the use of calculators is included in special sections at the end of appropriate chapters or is integrated into the text. Supplements An extensive package of supplementary