Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies
3rd Edition
Published on 27. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-394-42164-0 (ISBN)
Description
Set yourself up for mathematical success with this helpful guide
Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies, 3rd Edition helps you build a solid math foundation. With easy-to-understand explanations, you'll learn about positive and negative numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, and beyond. Packed full of practical examples and methods that align with teaching standards (perfect for following right along with your class!), you'll be ready to tackle the next step in your math evolution. Plus, you'll learn why math concepts work the way they do, so you can use your new math skills with confidence and real understanding.
Inside:
Understand the basic concepts you need for pre-algebra
Break down word problems and demystify confusing rules
Get a better grasp on math by seeing how it applies to the real world
Brush up on your skills so you're ready to move on to algebra, geometry, and beyond
Great for pre-algebra students (and their parents!), Basic Math and Pre-Algebra For Dummies makes math easy.
Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies, 3rd Edition helps you build a solid math foundation. With easy-to-understand explanations, you'll learn about positive and negative numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, and beyond. Packed full of practical examples and methods that align with teaching standards (perfect for following right along with your class!), you'll be ready to tackle the next step in your math evolution. Plus, you'll learn why math concepts work the way they do, so you can use your new math skills with confidence and real understanding.
Inside:
Understand the basic concepts you need for pre-algebra
Break down word problems and demystify confusing rules
Get a better grasp on math by seeing how it applies to the real world
Brush up on your skills so you're ready to move on to algebra, geometry, and beyond
Great for pre-algebra students (and their parents!), Basic Math and Pre-Algebra For Dummies makes math easy.
More details
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
John Wiley & Sons Inc
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 183 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
363 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-394-42164-0 (9781394421640)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Mark Zegarelli
Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies
E-Book
05/2026
3rd Edition
Wiley-ISTE
€19.99
Available for download
Mark Zegarelli
Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies
E-Book
04/2026
3rd Edition
Wiley
€19.99
Available for download
Previous edition
Mark Zegarelli
Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies
Book
07/2016
2nd Edition
Wiley
€24.00
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Person
Mark Zegarelli is a math teacher and tutor with degrees in Mathematics and English from Rutgers University. He is the author of a wide variety of math and puzzle books, including Basic Math & Pre-Algebra Workbook For Dummies, ACT Math For Dummies, and Logic For Dummies.
Content
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Basic Math and Pre-Algebra 5
Chapter 1: Playing the Numbers Game 7
Chapter 2: It's All in the Fingers: Numbers and Digits 23
Chapter 3: The Big Four Math Operations 31
Part 2: Getting a Handle on Whole Numbers 47
Chapter 4: Putting the Big Four Operations to Work 49
Chapter 5: PEMDAS: The Order of Operations 65
Chapter 6: Say What? Turning Words into Numbers 77
Chapter 7: Divisibility 87
Chapter 8: Fabulous Factors and Marvelous Multiples 95
Part 3: Parts of the Whole: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents 109
Chapter 9: Fooling with Fractions 111
Chapter 10: Fractions and the Big Four Operations 127
Chapter 11: Dallying with Decimals 153
Chapter 12: Playing with Percents 177
Chapter 13: Word Problems with Fractions, Decimals, and Percents 189
Part 4: Picturing and Measuring: Graphs, Measures, Stats, and Sets 201
Chapter 14: A Perfect Ten: Condensing Numbers with Scientific Notation 203
Chapter 15: How Much Have You Got? Weights and Measures 211
Chapter 16: Picture This: Basic Geometry 223
Chapter 17: Seeing Is Believing: Graphing as a Visual Tool 245
Chapter 18: Solving Geometry and Measurement Word Problems 253
Chapter 19: Figuring Your Chances: Statistics and Probability 265
Chapter 20: Setting Things Up with Basic Set Theory 277
Part 5: The X-Files: Introduction to Algebra 285
Chapter 21: Enter Mr X: Algebra and Algebraic Expressions 287
Chapter 22: Unmasking Mr X: Algebraic Equations 303
Chapter 23: Putting Mr X to Work: Algebra Word Problems 313
Part 6: The Part of Tens 323
Chapter 24: Ten Little Math Demons That Trip Students Up 325
Chapter 25: Ten Important Number Sets to Know 331
Index 339
Part 1: Getting Started with Basic Math and Pre-Algebra 5
Chapter 1: Playing the Numbers Game 7
Chapter 2: It's All in the Fingers: Numbers and Digits 23
Chapter 3: The Big Four Math Operations 31
Part 2: Getting a Handle on Whole Numbers 47
Chapter 4: Putting the Big Four Operations to Work 49
Chapter 5: PEMDAS: The Order of Operations 65
Chapter 6: Say What? Turning Words into Numbers 77
Chapter 7: Divisibility 87
Chapter 8: Fabulous Factors and Marvelous Multiples 95
Part 3: Parts of the Whole: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents 109
Chapter 9: Fooling with Fractions 111
Chapter 10: Fractions and the Big Four Operations 127
Chapter 11: Dallying with Decimals 153
Chapter 12: Playing with Percents 177
Chapter 13: Word Problems with Fractions, Decimals, and Percents 189
Part 4: Picturing and Measuring: Graphs, Measures, Stats, and Sets 201
Chapter 14: A Perfect Ten: Condensing Numbers with Scientific Notation 203
Chapter 15: How Much Have You Got? Weights and Measures 211
Chapter 16: Picture This: Basic Geometry 223
Chapter 17: Seeing Is Believing: Graphing as a Visual Tool 245
Chapter 18: Solving Geometry and Measurement Word Problems 253
Chapter 19: Figuring Your Chances: Statistics and Probability 265
Chapter 20: Setting Things Up with Basic Set Theory 277
Part 5: The X-Files: Introduction to Algebra 285
Chapter 21: Enter Mr X: Algebra and Algebraic Expressions 287
Chapter 22: Unmasking Mr X: Algebraic Equations 303
Chapter 23: Putting Mr X to Work: Algebra Word Problems 313
Part 6: The Part of Tens 323
Chapter 24: Ten Little Math Demons That Trip Students Up 325
Chapter 25: Ten Important Number Sets to Know 331
Index 339