viii Idiot’s Guides: Basic Math and Pre-Algebra
In Part 2, Into the Unknown, you’ll venture into the realm of variables and get acquainted with
algebra. You’ll solve equations and inequalities and graph them and begin to think about undoing
arithmetic instead of doing it.
In Part 3, The Shape of the World, you’ll take some basic ideas like measurement, congruence,
proportion, and area and examine how they show up when you work with different types of
geometric figures.
In Part 4, The State of the World, it’s time to think about the chances and the risks and to
report on the facts and figures that summarize what you’ve learned about the world.
Part 5, Extra Practice, is just what it sounds like. Building math skills is like learning to play
an instrument: you have to do it, again and again, before you really get to be good at it. When
you’ve traveled around the world, it’s natural to want to go back and remember what you’ve seen.
This is your chance.Extras
As you make your way through the world of numbers, you’ll see some items set off in ways meant
to catch your attention. Here’s a summary of what you’ll see.CHECK POINT
As you take your world tour, you’ll find that from time to time you need to pass through
a Check Point. No passport required on our tour, but you will be asked to answer a few
key questions to see if you’re ready to move on. You’ll find the answers for these Check
Point questions in Appendix C.DEFINITION
For a successful trip, it’s a good idea to speak at least a little bit of the language of the
area you’re visiting. The Speak the Language sidebars throughout this book identify
critical words and phrases that you’ll want to know and use.MATH TRAP
Ah, the unsuspecting tourist! It’s so easy for someone who’s just visiting to be fooled
or to make embarrassing mistakes. Don’t be that person. These sidebars serve as a
caution and try to help you think and act like someone who calls the world of math-
ematics home.