From the Preface
This text is intended to meet the needs of a two-semester course for students of carpentry and building construction. Throughout, the emphasis has been on simplicity. Illustrated problems include step-by-step explanations of their solution. Explanations have been presented in summary form with the necessary steps highlighted for easy identification. Drawings and photographs have been included to clarify the particular subject under discussion. At the beginning of each chapter is a captioned photograph of a house under construction, showing its development from the concept, through the various phases, to completion.

Chapters 1 through 10 cover the fundamental mathematics necessary to a broad range of skills. Although problems in these chapters apply to a variety of areas, the emphasis has been given to applications in the building construction field. We suggest that calculators not be used in the first sections in Chapters 1 through 3 to allow students to increase their mathematical skills in some basic areas. Thereafter, calculator usage is encouraged, with emphasis on efficiency and accuracy.

Chapters 11 through 26 cover matters of direct concern to the builder. The sequence of topics in these chapters follows the logical construction process insofar as is practical. Phases of construction normally relegated to subcontractors (including masonry, plumbing, heating, and electrical, among others) have not been covered. The occurrence of these phases of construction is of concern to the primary contractor, and their sequencing is alluded to in a summary chapter; however, we have made no attempt to include mathematics related to these areas.

Although this text is not intended to be a complete "how-to" manual with respect to building techniques, a certain amount of instruction has been included. In many areas of building, an understanding of the relevant mathematics is coupled with an understanding of how the construction is done. Furthermore, efficiency and accuracy (both highly desirable goals for the builder and estimator) are best achieved when an understanding of building methods has been reached.

Users of this text will find the topic sequence logical and explanations clear and concise. The problems are realistic and practical and typical of the types of calculations that builders can expect to encounter in practice. Answers to the odd-numbered exercises have been included in the back of the book.

Contents
1. Whole Numbers; 2. Fractions; 3. Decimal Fractions; 4. Weights, Measures, and Conversions; 5. Percents; 6. Angles and Triangles; 8. Areas and Perimeters; 9 Volume and Surface Area of Solids; 10. The Metric System; 11. Board Measure; 12. Lumber Pricing; 13. Footings, Foundations, and Slabs; 14. Girders, Sill Plates, Bridging, Floor Joists, and Floor Covering; 15. Wall Framing; 16. Roofs I: Common Rafters; 17. Introduction to the Framing Square; 18. Overhangs; 19. Roofs II: Hip Rafters - The Conventional Case; 20. Roofs III: Valley Rafters - The Conventional Case; 21. Roofs IV: Jack Rafters; 22. Roofs V: Hip and Valley Rafters - The Unconventional Cases; 23. Stairs; 24. Framing and Covering Gable Ends; Exterior Trim; 25. Wall and Roof Covering; 26. The Estimating Process; Appendix: House Plans; Glossary; Answers to Odd-Numbered Exercises; Bibliography; Index.