Math Refresher for Adults -- my REVIEW

One of the questions people often ask me about homeschooling high schoolers is, "What about math?" (usually said with a distasteful tone or look on their face!) Thankfully I enjoy math and have retained quite a bit since I took classes years ago. I have also had many opportunities for review as my kids went through all the math from algebra 1, geometry, and algebra 2, and often needed more explanations/instructions/help -- so these math topics are on the top of my mind :) BUT for several other folks this might not be the case and you may be concerned about remembering certain math skills (that maybe your kids have already completed!) My husband has experienced this when the kids have asked him for help on math problems (when I was sick or in the shower or something and he happened to be present). Sometimes he knows that he has learned the particular procedure, but hasn't used it for quite some time. Though he is quite proficient in math, the skills that haven't been utilized in awhile look a little confusing.

As a matter of fact, my husband is also planning to attend graduate school in the near future and needs to take the GRE. Straight out of college, many of the topics (in math in particular) were things that he had used frequently and the solutions were obvious to him. HOWEVER -- he graduated from college in the 90's, which was a long time ago! And while he uses math in his everyday work, he doesn't use the full spectrum. He was happy to receive a copy of Math Refresher for Adults to remind him of some of these procedures and problem-solving skills. This helpful book, produced by Math Essentials  was easy to jump right into and get started with.



Of course, everyone's math abilities and retention vary and this book is written to cover a large range of possible starting points--some of which may seem obvious or easy to many folks, but some might need a reminder or some tips for how to solve particular problems.  The book starts with the basic arithmetic functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and moves on to fractions, decimals, and more.  The topics are listed out in the index in the front, so if you know the topic that you need some education in, you can quickly jump to that page.

When you arrive at the page which you need to review, you will see that the top of the page a section of review exercises, which can help you to retain information you have already covered.  The next segment is called "Helpful Hints" -- this one gives you the topic and rules or hints for solving that particular type of problems.

 Following the hints section are two sample problems (S1 and S2) -- and several other problems of the same type.  The author suggests that you read the hints and try the two sample problems and check the answers (in the back) before continuing on to working the rest of the problems on that page.  At the end of the page is a "Problem Solving" section which gives you a word problem using the skills you have practiced to ensure that you can transfer the skills from the written-out math problem or equation to one written in word problem form.

If you need additional teaching on the topic, there are video tutorials which correspond to the topics covered in the book.  These are available on two websites listed in the front matter of the book.  The access passwords/codes to utilize these resources are posted in the front matter as well.

These tutorials move clearly, step-by-step, so that the learner can easily follow along.

 One thing that is noted by the author as well as the teacher on the video tutorials is the recommendation that whether you are doing the problems from the book or from the video that you write the problems down on a separate sheet of paper before working them.  I agree that writing the problem out often ensures that you pay more close attention to what you are doing, so I really appreciated them mentioning this in here.

Answers to each of the problems in the book are listed in the back of the book, so you are always able to know if you are performing the operations correctly or not.

Included in the back of the book is a nice glossary which can be used for a quick and easy answer (for instance, do you remember off the top of your head what the commutative properties are?) Also included are tables of important symbols, multiplication tables, tables of common prime numbers, table of squares and square roots, and fractional/decimal equivalents.

I'd also like to give you an idea of the breadth of topics which are covered in this book.  From the index in front, the major topics are whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, geometry, integers, charts and graphs, word problems, and pre-algebra and algebra.  Additional assistance in the form of video tutorials are available for each of the topics covered.

The tutorials are step-by-step and easy to follow.

So what did I think?  The book is easy to use, topics are easy to find.  The videos are very helpful, once you find them :) You have to search a little within the sites to find the proper one you need, but once you find the video you need it is very helpful.

As far as my husband's using it to review/help prepare for the GRE, it is definitely helpful for him!  It certainly does not cover everythng he needs to be proficient in for the GRE, but it's a great way for him to familiarize himself with the more elementary concepts before he studies the higher math topics he will need to use.

If you are a homeschool parent and are a little unsure about different math topics which your student is learning, this book would be a good resource for you to brush up on those skills!


The purpose of Math Refresher for Adults is REVIEW, not straight teaching on how to do each concept.  If you flip through the book you might wonder why the "Helpful Hints" teaching-type section is so short--it's not intended to be a comprehensive textbook, but rather to remind you how to use skills you have learned in the past.  The video tutorials can take you further and help to teach you more.

I feel like the book can help you with basic arithmetic all the way up through elementary algebra courses.  The algebra and geometry is quite basic, so don't expect to find the level that you will probably need to assist your student throughout full high school algebra 1 and 2 and geometry.  It WILL, however, give you a great foundation in the basics of math subjects.

To read about how other folks used this book -- and how they liked it, please click on the link below: