This web site is meant to be a tutorial on basic mathematics.
It is intended for three groups of people:
People who once knew basic math, but over time have forgotten it, and now wish to relearn the subject either for their own personal use or to help their children.
Students who need a little extra help outside of the classroom*
Teachers who are looking for a computer resource to help their students.
[*I am sure some people might be able to learn basic math from this tutorial, but I would suggest using it in conjunction
with a teacher. If you are a student, I suggest that you show this site to your teacher
(it's possible that the methods used here and the methods your teacher uses may not coincide with each other).]
Whichever grouping you fall in, or even if your not included in any of the groups, I hope this tutorial will help you (or your students) learn the fundamental concepts of math, and maybe even inspire you to go on a learn other math subjects.
Each chapter opens with an outline showing the topics about to be discussed. The next few pages will have instruction and problems on them. And then the chapter will close with a little quiz.
After each piece of instruction, there will be problems for you to work out. In most cases, you will be told to place your answer into a text box and click on a button. The computer will then give you instant confirmation whether or not your answer was correct.
I urge you to work out as many problems as possible armed only with a paper, pencil and an active mind.
No calculators. Calculators may have their place in higher mathematics, but not in the basics.
In basic subjects, such as this, they only serve as a detriment.
On each page you will have an opportunity to contact me.
If you have any comments, concerns, questions, compliments, or criticisms please feel free to drop me an e-mail. Your e-mail may even help me make this tutorial better.
I may not be a teacher, but I do have a degree in math, and I have tutored
math on a one-to-one basis for several years.
This tutorial grew out of my love for math, my hope that I could somehow help people
out there with their math difficulties, plus my interest in computers, HTML, and JavaScript.
I thoroughly enjoyed putting these pages together, but I would be remiss if I did not
credit the people who helped me with this project.
First of all I learned JavaScript from the
Web page "http://www.htmlgoodies.com.”
And big thanks go to a close friend of mine, Merry Morris, who has served as my
colleague and proofreader. This tutorial would not have achieved fruition
without her help and encouragement.
Topics in this chapter include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, averaging, working with parentheses,
prime numbers, composite numbers, factors and factoring, factor trees,
exponents, base ten representation, and square roots
Topics in this chapter include reducing fractions to lowest terms, mixed fractions,
improper fractions,
least common denominator, greatest common divisor, comparing fractions,
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and converting weights & measures
Topics in this chapter include comparing decimals, rounding off,
multiplying and dividing by powers of ten,
converting fractions to decimals, converting decimals to fractions,
addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division
Topics in this chapter include converting percents, decimals and fractions,
percents of a number, discounts and increases,
calculating percents, calculating base numbers, and percents greater than 100
Topics in this chapter include number lines, negative numbers,
addition, multiplication, division, double negatives, inequalities,
opened and closed sets, and graphing sets on the number line
