Math for Grownups: Re-Learn the Arithmetic You Forgot From School So You Can, Calculate how much that raise will really amount to (after taxes) Figure ... homework Convert calories into cardio time

by Laura Laing

Ever wish you'd paid more attention in math class? From third grade to senior year of high school, it went in one ear and out the other, didn't it? But now you're staring at the new washer and dryer, trying to figure out the percentage of sales tax on the purchase price. You multiply something by something, right? Or you're scratching your head, wondering how to compute the odds that your football team will take next Sunday's game. You're pretty sure that involved ratios. The problem is, you can't quite remember.

Here you get an adult refresher and real-life context--with examples ranging from how to figure out how many shingles it takes to re-roof the garage to the formula for resizing Mom's tomato sauce recipe for your entire family.

Forget higher calculus--you just need an open mind. And with this practical guide, math can stop being scary and start being "useful."

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, School, Mathematics, Self Help, Education, Science

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2011

Reviews

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kind of smart survival books that help you to use mathematics for a smarter life. It helps you when you want to optimize your budget, to buy a property or to manage various home renovation projects. In some cases, the basic knowledge acquired in school helps, in some others you may need to acquire advanced knowledge. Simply written and with a lot of examples that makes the reading and understanding easier.

[Amanda Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed this book as a reference for a presentation I was building - but I will admit it was pretty useful and reminded me of some formulas I had once learned. Prett6 solid book for anyone who avoids using math to solve problems.

[Charles Rotblut · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are one of those people who either never grasped math when you were younger or simply need a refresher, “Math for Grownups: Relearn the Arithmetic You Forgot from School” is a worthwhile read.

Author Laura Laing walks readers through several practical applications for math, from figuring out how much to tip to calculating the odds of winning the lottery. The scenarios vary from determining the size of your flower bed to financial related issues ( e.g., compounding returns, budgeting for retirement, paying down debt, etc.) They all help remove some of the mysticism surrounding math.

Laing provides several tips and short cuts throughout her book. For example, she suggests rounding numbers up or down to create estimates that are easier to calculate. She also has a handy appendix with several formulas. It is a good book for those who want a refresher on math that is easy to understand.

Do I wish more complex math was covered? Yes, but I’m also use to seeing mathematical formulas. And this is a key point, if you are a math person, this book will be too simple. It is geared for those who are not math-oriented and does a good job for that purpose.

-Charles Rotblut
Author, Better Good than Lucky: How Savvy Investors Create Fortune with the Risk-Reward Ratio

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish Laura Laing wrote this book back when I was going through school. In school, math was presented as a series of bland formulas, steps and procedures, painfully boring and apparently having nothing to do with everyday life. I never really knew why I should care about Pi until I read the lively explanation of installing a fish pool in Laing's book. This is just one of the numerous practical examples that make her strategies easily understood and remembered.

This book is a great read for anyone who never really 'got' math back in school. No need to feign a headache next time the kids come to you with their math homework! It also makes a great reference to pull out when faced with everyday math problems - trying to make a wise car purchase, cut your grocery costs, or pick up enough mulch for your garden.

[Randy Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where you one of those in school who could never grasp math? Or always wondered why you needed it, you weren't going into a field that required it. Math for Grownups by Laura Laing is for you.
Laura walks the reader through everyday math, interest rates,percentages, the cost of a loan or the return on investments.
With clear and easy to understand language along with simple equations and formulas she will have you up and running in no time.
For those who struggled, those who may just need a refresher course,and for the students now headed out into the world.

This was a fun read and a great refresher course and one that I recommend my own kids to read as they head out into life. This will ensure they can really decide if they are getting that great deal!This is one I am keeping on my shelves.

[Cindy Huskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially, this book provides examples of common sense math using everyday scenarios. I suppose I didn't realize how many adults struggle with basic math, which is the reason I didn't learn anything new. However, I think anyone who suffered through terrible math teachers and/or math phobias will glean a great deal of valuable information to calculate anything from doubling recipes to calculating interest.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I am promoting at work but it is honestly a great tool for anyone, covering travel, shopping, home improvement, and parenting topics. The author has a great website http://mathforgrownups.com/ and posts "a day in the life" style Q&A pieces with everyone from a fish hatchery technician to a copywriter. Follow Laura on twitter! http://twitter.com/#!/mathforgrownups

[Martha]

Also in Nook Archive.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the library shelves, this had some definite real-life math, complete with formulas and examples that I can use for different topics in my math classroom.

[Katharine Holden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Superfluous, cutesy text detracts from the useful bits. Doesn't deliver promise of subtitle. Skip.

[C · Rating 2 out of 5]

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