MATHEMATICAL HAND BOOK ELEMENTARY

INTRODUCTION 1. Designation of the handbook. The purpose of this book is twofold: firstly, it is designed for quick reference to mathematical concepts (to find out what a tangent is, to compute percentages, to recall formulas for the roots of a quadratic equation, etc.). All definitions, rules, formulas, and theorems are supplied with examples. Where required, hints and suggestions are given as to the use of rule or how to avoid common mistakes, and so forth. Secondly, the author believes that this handbook can serve as a manual for reviewing the essentials of mathematics and even as a first introductory course in its practical ap-plications. 2. Handbook and textbook. An attempt has been made to combine the merits of both books in one text. That this has been successful is evident from numerous letters from the rea-ders, most of whom used it as a textbook. True, this hand-book differs radically from an ordinary school textbook, where, especially in the senior classes, the emphasis is placed on reasoning: facts are subordinated to logic. This at any rate is how the student regards the process. In this book, the leading role is played by factual material. This does not in the least mean that the reasoning process is absent. Deri-vations of formulas are given, but only on occasion, as, for example, when it is necessary to stress the central idea of a given section or to overcome any doubts as to the vali dity of a result (say, when dealing with operations involving complex numbers). In deciding whether to keep a proof or omit it the author was guided by his own teaching experience. 3. How to use the handbook. For quick reference, use the extensive index at the back of the book. If the user has forgotten the exact name of a rule, formula, or mode of solu-tion, he has a detailed table of contents at his disposal in the front. We strongly advise the user the user to follow up any additional references he may encounter when investigating a term. Also, much useful information can be gained by reading through