Mental Arithmetic (Math Matters!)

Book by Grolier Educational Corporation

Grade 3 Up-Designed to be both an introduction to and a refresher course in basic mathematics, this set is divided into 48-page volumes, each of which covers a topic or operation, such as Adding, Fractions, Grids and Graphs, and Chance and Average. Internally, topics range from Roman numerals, number squares, and measuring systems to elementary geometry, square roots, and equations. On the pages, which are laid out with plenty of space and color, small blocks of text alternate with numbers printed in larger boldface, all decorated with a multicultural cast of small, cheerful cartoon adults and teenagers that may help to keep older readers from (mistakenly) judging this as a "kids' book." Each spread ends with a review of new concepts and terms; each volume has an individual glossary and a set index. There are no tests or exercises, but many of the concepts are explored through step-by-step solutions to word problems. The final volume is devoted to shortcuts and Mental Arithmetic. This wide-ranging survey won't replace live or programmed instruction, but it makes an inviting supplement.
John Peters, New York Public Library
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