The purpose of this work is to promote fluency in the language of mathematics among students who have had little experience (or perhaps an unpleasant experience) with standard math courses. Every educated person needs to become “numerate”, not only to solve practical problems, but also to develop paths of communication with scientists, physicians, and engineers, whose work requires that they think in a quantitative manner.

Elements of algebra and geometry are introduced in order to solve problems, not as preparation for further study. Natural logarithm and a calculus expression are included in order to explain quantitative aspects of population growth, radioactive decay, and light in the sea. Exercises embedded in the text make use of real data, or numbers that closely resemble real data. Examples show the usefulness of math in elementary biology, chemistry, and physics.

The strategy is to become adept with a scientific calculator, in order to attack interesting problems that have numerical answers. The power and beauty of exponents, and the features of a good graph, are made apparent. Familiarity with the Systeme International is promoted, so as to facilitate discourse with scientific and medical people at home, and with the general public in other countries.