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Math for Carpentry and Construction was developed to bridge the abstract
principles taught in academic math to the real-world problems a carpenter must
solve in the construction trades. With today’s emphasis on standardized testing
in education, this book was developed as a tool to help you become profi cient in
accurately performing trade-related mathematical problems.
After sixteen years of working in residential, modular, and commercial
construction, I entered secondary education with the goal of teaching high school
students the trade of carpentry and construction. I was shocked at how many
students could not measure or apply basic mathematical concepts to construction
trade problems. I quickly realized that before I could properly teach my trade,
I fi rst needed to raise the competency level in mathematic concepts, and then
apply them to construction principles. With over twenty years of experience
in the classroom laying a solid foundation of applied math concepts, I have
assembled those principles in Math for Carpentry and Construction to help
instructors lay that same solid math foundation in their classrooms.
Based on my observation and experience, academic mathematic instruction
has been driven by a culture of standardized testing. Because of this, students
are not always learning the concepts necessary to be successful in a trade career,
only the skills necessary to pass a standardized test. Often while teaching a concept
the students have already covered in math class, I can see that moment when
things begin to make sense because I have shown them how to apply it in a trade
application. Math for Carpentry and Construction has been developed fi rst and
foremost with the purpose of teaching you the skills necessary and to make those
connections so you will be profi cient in the construction trades. This ensures that
the student will be prepared for national and trade certifi cation exams and a
successful career in the construction trades.
All the problems in Math for Carpentry and Construction can be performed
with the use of a calculator. Because it is my belief that every student should know
how to work the problem without a calculator, every concept has been explained
step-by-step so you can learn the concepts and process to complete any problem you
will face in the fi eld by hand. A calculator will give you the right answer, but you
will not develop an understanding of how the answer was achieved. This will not
help you the day you need to perform the math and do not have an electronic device.
Math for Carpentry and Construction is the best tool on the market today
to learn math concepts used in the construction industry. It covers mathematic
principles in a logical, applied manner, so that you can become mathematically
profi cient in your career.
Richard B. Miles
Preface