Excerpt from Practical Elementary Algebra This book meets the requirements of the College Entrance Board, and contains, besides, chapters on logarithms and on the application of algebra in science and higher mathematics, as a preparation for technical schools. It has been written, as the title indicates, with the object of making elementary algebra possess more practical value, both in the ordinary and also in the cultural or educational sense of the word. It is written as well for those who do not go to college, as for those who do. A wave of interest in mathematical teaching has swept over the United States during the past five or six years, receiving an impetus from the Perry movement in England. Numerous organizations of teachers have been formed, and quite a literature has been built up in the publications of these societies. The author has studied this literature carefully and utilized its suggestions freely. The whole field of exercises has been eagerly searched for more practical problems, and a considerable number of new ones has been introduced. The belief is expressed that with this training in solving such problems the student will be much more likely to apply his algebra to everyday affairs and in advanced studies than without it. The progress of the student through the formal parts of the subject is made easy and rapid. As far as possible the snags and pitfalls have been removed, and the path has been made plain and open. The algebraic notation is wonderfully compact and shorthandlike, and its complexities should not be forced on young minds too early. Much of the pleasure in the study consists in the easy and facile doing of the work assigned. With the difficult exercises, obscure explanations, and unnecessary definitions cut out, rapid progress can be made. The topics are presented in such a way that in case any are imperfectly developed, or left unfinished in class, the average student can get the help he needs from the book. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.