tailieunhanh - AN INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICS With Applications to Science and Agriculture

AFTER some fourteen years of teaching in American colleges and universities the author finds that the average high school graduate has not developed in himself a mathematical type of reasoning. lie therefore hopes that this treatment may in some measure accomplish this purpose. The first few chapters are devoted to a thorough review of high school algebra, for the author is convinced that most college freshmen need considerable drill on the fundamental processes of algebra before attempting a very extensive study of mathematics | AN INTRODUCTION TO M ATHE M ATI cs With Applications to Science and Agriculture BY ISATAII LESLIE MILLER Professor of Mathematics South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts F. s. CROFTS CO. NEW YORK MCMXXX Copyright 1930 BY F. s. Crofts Co. Inc. MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY BRAUN WORTH co. INC. BROOKLYN NEW YORK PREFACE After some fourteen years of teaching in American colleges and universities the author finds that the average high school graduate has not developed in himself a mathematical type of reasoning lie therefore hopes that this treatment may in some measure accomplish this purpose. The first few chapters are devoted to a thorough review of high school algebra for the author is convinced that most college freshmen need considerable drill on the fundamental processes of algebra before attempting a very extensive study of mathematics. In preparing this book the author has kept in mind two typos of students first those who will never take additional work in mathematics and second those who will continue the work in science or agriculture for advanced degrees and will doubtless desire to pursue additional courses in mathematics. He has therefore attempted to write a book basic in the fundamental principles of mathematics and at the same time has endeavored to make practical applications to the fields of science and agriculture wherever possible. He feels that a thorough knowledge of the material covered in this work will enable the second type of student to successfully pursue a course in analytical geometry followed by a course in the calculus. The author gratefully acknowledges his indebtedness to his colleagues Professor Wm. Asker for preparing the chapter on statistics and Mr. H. B. MacDougal for checking much of the material to Professor I. w. Smith of the North Dakota Agricultural College for using the material in mimeographed form and offering many valuable suggestions to Dean D. A. Roth-