Topics in Arithmetic

With implicit emphasis on logic and reason, and supported by ample examples and illustrations, Topics in Arithmetic provides simple, clear instruction on the fundamental math needed for success in learning arithmetic.  In six stand-alone studies, it augments standard classroom textbooks with engaging, enriching explanations of facets of math troubling to students.

Following coverage of deductive logic and the development of numbers, and their expression as numerals, it explains the properties and rules of basic operations in arithmetic, and their use in forming algorithms.  Beyond numerals, it illustrates extended arithmetic operations on fractions; and, with tabular examples, it clarifies the puzzling operations of raising powers, and calculating roots, with zero, negative and fractional exponents. 

Topics in Arithmetic presents technically challenging, essential features of arithmetic in simple terms from engaging perspectives.   Students from middle school through college entry, their parents and math teachers will find the material in this book engrossing and enriching.

Terence Harvey Murdock Born October 28, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Merchant seaman after WWII. Aircraft and engine mechanic at Kimpo Air Force Base, Korea, until 1952. Master of science degree in applied mathematics from Florida Institute of Technology in 1966. While a graduate student, developed and taught courses in linear algebra, matrices, and mathematics for managers. Systems analyst in the mathematical services department of RCA Services Company at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Collected, processed, and analyzed ballistic missile tracking data to produce the best estimate of missiles' inertial guidance trajectories for missile contractors. Detected and statistically minimized trajectory measurement errors of camera, radar, and interferometric tracking systems. Retired in 1991 as a manager in the network provisioning department of Bell South Corporation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For schools in Tampa, Florida, developed and taught undergraduate courses in developmental mathematics, fi nite mathematics, statistics, and algebra. Topics in Arithmetic and Topics in Algebra are books that reflect my concern for students, parents, and teachers over difficulties they have with certain facets of mathematics.