Be a real life success with this book

 

Math For Real Life for Dummies is the Swiss Army knife of reference books.  It’s useful, packed with the necessary sharp tools, and compact enough (at about 6” x 9”) to fit in most places where needed. The tools are easy to find on the knife or in the book.  You can take the book on an airline and no questions will be asked.

The author, Barry Schoenborn, has a remarkable gift for explaining, in a funny and light hearted way, how to solve the quantitative problems of everyday life.

Before the book came along, I tried to explain how to calculate miles/per gallon to an intelligent person with limited math skills. I thought it was obvious—didn’t everyone’s father drill that as a requirement for driving?  Well, no, it turns out.  It was a frustrating to discover my many assumptions and to fail in my task.   That’s when the hours spent so long ago by my teachers and parents requiring me to memorize the multiplication tables finally made sense.   Mr. Schoenborn kindly starts with the basics and calmly shows how to solve problems for everyone—even those not blessed with a strong math foundation.

Although the title says for Dummies, it’s for everyone.  Even if you think you know how to calculate gambling odds, for example, it’s enlightening and entertaining to see what the author reveals.  There are so many things you may have known once (like how to calculate how much paint to buy), but Mr. Schoenborn takes you through it.

For generations who’ve grown up with calculators everywhere it must seem unnecessary to learn basic math skills (including memorizing multiplication tables), but as the author points out, it allows for mental math and quick estimates, and it’s the basis for many kinds of calculations.  In our market based economy it’s a survival skill.

This book is a must-have for any home and auto glove box.