This book has a bias towards the maths used by surveyors; land surveyors, quantity surveyors and civil engineers. Although much of the level 4 Maths unit has been covered in the book it is not intended as a maths book.
It is ideal for mature students who are returning to education after a long break. It doesn't take long to forget how to multiply fractions of different sizes, or how to use radians and so on. This book takes you through the processes using worked examples including graphics.
Calculators have become more like mini computers but how do you get the best out of them? The chosen calculator is a Casio fx - 85GT PLUS . It is relatively cheap to buy and more importantly cannot be programmed so it should be okay to use in most exams even at degree level.
The book shows how to set the instrument up and how to use most of the functions including multiple memory facilities.
Fully worked examples starting with the problem, selection of a suitable formula and the use of BIDMAS where applicable. The equation is written out with each stage explained. To solve the equation with the use of a calculator a series of graphics showing which buttons to press and in which order.
As mentioned earlier there is a bias towards surveying therefore the worked examples are specific to construction and civil engineering as opposed to 'Peter runs at 5mph around a circular track .....' . Fine for general maths but this book has been written for construction and civil engineering students.
Much of the book covers the maths required for specific surveying tasks such as calculating the spoil for 'cut and fill'. There are several different formulae shown for calculating irregular areas and volumes with full explanation of each stage.
Basic trigonometry for right angled triangles taken from the basics of a circle through to how it can be used to solve various surveying related tasks. There are fully worked examples where the triangle does not have a 90° angle. It is especially useful when traversing in restricted areas such as a busy street. In each task where a calculator can be used there are fully worked examples showing the calculation as written and then which buttons to use to solve the problem.
Although the book has a bias towards surveyors it is also useful to students who will be studying Construction Science and Construction Materials. In those subjects there are calculations for such things as linear expansion and energy calc's where the exponent function will be of use. There are many examples where very large numbers and very small parts of a number are used and this book explains all.
Many people in a working environment use spreadsheets in various ways. This book shows the basics of how to set up and use a spreadsheet, plus how to set up specifically for calculating angles. Total stations and electronic theodolites use radians when transferring data to a spreadsheet. This book shows how to set up cells that automatically convert radians to degrees, degrees to Sine radians, degrees to Cosine radians and much more.
It will be very useful for anyone studying surveying, science or materials at all levels, even at degree level. It is written as a reference, somewhere to find a quick answer that is written in straightforward English. No subtended this or that, or transposed formulae without any explanation as to why.