High School Pre-Algebra Tutor

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
It is the aim of this book to serve as a personal tutor to students by providing exceptionally detailed explanations for the kinds of problems that are typically found on exams.
This book can be an invaluable aid to pre-algebra students as a supplement to their textbooks. The book is subdivided into 12 chapters, each dealing with a separate topic. The subject matter is developed systematically, beginning with Integers and Rational Numbers and extending through Fractions, Decimals, Ratio and Proportions, Percents, Roots and Exponents, Introductory Algebra, Solving Algebraic Equations, Inequalities, Word Problems, Plotting, and, finally, a chapter that discusses Geometry.

HOW TO LEARN AND UNDERSTAND A TOPIC THOROUGHLY
1. Refer to your class text and read the section pertaining to the topic. You should become acquainted with the principles discussed there. These principles, however, may not be immediately clear to you.
2. Then locate the topic you are looking for by referring to the Table of Contents in the front of this book.
3. Turn to the page on which the topic begins and review the problems under each topic, in the order given. For each topic, the problems are arranged in order of complexity, from the simplest to the most difficult. Some problems may appear similar to others, but each problem has been selected to illustrate a different point or solution method.
To learn and understand a topic thoroughly and retain its contents, it will be necessary for students to review the problems several times. Repeated review is essential in order to gain experience in recognizing the principles that should be applied and in selecting the best solution technique.

HOW TO FIND A PARTICULAR
PROBLEM
To locate one or more problems related to particular subject matter, refer to the index. In using the index, be certain to note that the numbers given there refer to problem numbers, not to page numbers. This arrangement is intended to facilitate finding a problem more rapidly, since two or more problems may appear on a page.
If a particular type of problem cannot be found readily, it is recommended that the student refer to the Table of Contents and then turn to the chapter which is applicable to the problem being sought. By scanning or glancing at the material that is boxed, it will be possible to find problems related to the one being sought, without consuming considerable time. After the problems have been located, the solutions can be reviewed and studied in detail. For the purpose of locating problems rapidly, you should acquaint yourself with the organization of the book as found in the Table of Contents.
In preparing for an exam, first find the topics to be covered on the exam in the Table of Contents, then review the problems under those topics several times. This should equip you with information needed for the exam.