Most Popular Books by Mary Jane

In "Gretchen," Mary Jane Holmes masterfully intertwines themes of love, sacrifice, and societal expectation within a rich narrative structure that showcases her keen insight into human emotion. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century America, the novel draws readers into the lives of its characters with Holmes'' characteristic sentimental style and vivid characterizations. The storytelling is marked by a deep moral compass, mirroring the prevalent literary trends of the time that emphasized romance and moral dilemmas, which serves to engage readers while providing social commentary on the plight of women in a rapidly changing society. Mary Jane Holmes, an influential figure in American literature during the Victorian era, often explored the complexities of female identity and domestic life in her works. Having experienced the constraints placed on women of her time, Holmes'' dedicated pen reflects not only her artistic vision but also her commitment to advocating for women''s rights and emotional depth. Her own upbringing in rural New York instilled in her a profound understanding of the struggles faced by women, prompting her desire to give voice to their stories. "Gretchen" is a compelling read for those interested in historical literature, keen on uncovering the intricate layers of personal sacrifice and romance. Holmes'' poignant prose and deeply relatable characters make this novel a timeless exploration of the human experience, inviting readers to contemplate the complexity of love and personal growth in their own lives.

Get ahead in pre-calculus Pre-calculus courses have become increasingly popular with 35 percent of students in the U.S. taking the course in middle or high school. Often, completion of such a course is a prerequisite for calculus and other upper level mathematics courses. Pre-Calculus For Dummies is an invaluable resource for students enrolled in pre-calculus courses. By presenting the essential topics in a clear and concise manner, the book helps students improve their understanding of pre-calculus and become prepared for upper level math courses. Provides fundamental information in an approachable manner Includes fresh example problems Practical explanations mirror today’s teaching methods Offers relevant cultural references Whether used as a classroom aid or as a refresher in preparation for an introductory calculus course, this book is one you’ll want to have on hand to perform your very best.

This chapter is designed to address the needs of individuals with visual and multiple disabilities who may not be able to follow all parts of a traditional academic curriculum. As educators, our primary goal should be to provide students with skills that will be of use throughout their lives. Skill acquisition often takes longer for students with multiple disabilities, and they are not always able to generalize them into other settings. For this reason it is important to identify skills that will help prepare students to lead the most independent lives possible and to provide many opportunities to practice them.

"Cousin Maude" from Mary Jane Holmes. Bestselling and prolific American author (1825-1907).

Mary Jane Holmes'' novel ''Maggie Miller'' is a captivating tale that delves into the societal constraints faced by women in the 19th century. Set against the backdrop of rural New England, the book follows the struggles and triumphs of the titular character, Maggie, as she navigates love, family, and independence. Holmes'' writing style is marked by its vivid descriptions and nuanced characterizations, drawing readers into a world where duty and desire often collide. ''Maggie Miller'' is a poignant exploration of gender roles and the pursuit of personal fulfillment during a time of strict social conventions. Mary Jane Holmes, a prolific American author of the 19th century, was known for her popular novels that centered on themes of love, family, and morality. As a contemporary of writers like Louisa May Alcott, Holmes'' works offered a glimpse into the domestic lives of American women during a period of great change. Her keen insights into human nature and society inform the rich tapestry of ''Maggie Miller,'' making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. I highly recommend ''Maggie Miller'' to readers interested in exploring the complexities of gender and identity in the 19th century. Holmes'' deft storytelling and insightful commentary make this novel a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the cultural and social dynamics of the era.

"In its hard headed, richly documented concreteness, it is worth a thousand polemics." -- New York Times, from a review of the first edition "The Curse deserves a place in every women''s studies library collection." -- Sharon Golub, editor of Lifting the curse of Menstruation "A stimulating and useful book, both for the scholarly and the general reader." -- Paula A. Treichler, co-author of A Feminist Dictionary

Make trigonometry as easy as 1-2-3 Believe it or not, trigonometry is easier than it looks! With the right help, you can breeze through your next trig class, test, or exam and be ready for your next math challenge. In Trigonometry For Dummies, you’ll learn to understand the basics of sines, cosines, and tangents, graph functions, solve tough formulas, and even discover how to use trig outside the classroom in some cool and interesting ways. Ditch the confusing jargon and take a plain-English tour of one of the most useful disciplines in math. In this lifesaving guide, you’ll learn how to: Graph trig functions, including sine, cosine, tangent, and cotangent functions Understand inverse trig functions and solve trig equations Relate triangles to circular functions and get a handle on basic identities So, whether you’re looking for an easy-to-use study guide, to boost your math grade, or get a refresher on some basic trig concepts after a long absence from studying, Trigonometry For Dummies is your ticket to understanding the mathematical mysteries of the triangle.

Fourth in the series featuring organizer and amateur sleuth Charlotte Adams, following Death Loves a Messy Desk. A friend hires Charlotte to organize her closets and prove that her daughter''s accident was murder. And now Charlotte has to get a house-and her suspects-in order.

Raindrops and Sycamores is a moving insight into the life of Piers Cantwell, a sensitive individual with a unique view of the world. His daughter, Rosie, a prescient little child, quite unnerves him at times but through her, he is given a glimpse of another realm of existence. Piers has a strong affinity with Cork City and through his eyes the reader is drawn into its very breath and pulse. Raindrops and Sycamores is essentially a story about love, loss, and the resourcefulness of the human spirit in adversity.

The question of how boys become men or how girls become women may seem simple, but the answers can be complex. This new edition draws upon rich examples from research, popular media, and global accounts, to explore how gender is produced, consumed, regulated and performed in young lives today.

For fans of Katie Flynn & Fiona Valpy, this is an exhilarating romantic journey across war-torn Europe from the multi-million copy seller Mary Jane Staples. READERS ARE LOVING A WARTIME MARRIAGE! "Couldn''t put it down." -- 5 STARS "Once again she had me hooked." -- 5 STARS "Each page kept you guessing to the end." -- 5 STARS "An excellent read for a cold damp day in front of the fire." -- 5 STARS **************************************************** WILL THEY FIND HAPPINESS? 1918: the Kaiser''s empire is about to fall and Captain Harry Phillips, a prisoner of war in a Romanian hospital, has had a very hard time of it. Then, out of the blue, comes an offer he can''t refuse: a ticket home to his beloved England and to the arms of his much missed fiancée Elizabeth. But this ticket comes with a heavy price to pay; Harry must marry beautiful, headstrong Princess Irena of Moldova, who''s only hope of survival is to leave the country and he must risk both their lives by escorting her back to England. As they set off on their long and treacherous journey with enemies at every turn, Harry begins to realise that Irena is not only dangerous but extremely precious cargo.

Grammardog Teacher''s Guide contains 16 quizzes for this autobiography. All sentences are from the autobiography. Quizzes include famous quotes: "In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress." " . . . a man cannot learn the exercise of self-government by ceasing to vote any more than a boy can learn to swim by keeping out of the water." "I think that the according of the full exercise of political rights is going to be a matter of natural, slow growth, not an overnight gourd-vine affair."

That Old Black Magic is New York Times bestselling author Mary Jane Clark’s savory and suspenseful confection filled with murder, mystery, history and voodoo, in which Piper Donovan must unmask a devious killer striking in New Orleans’s legendary French Quarter. Aspiring actress and wedding-cake decorator Piper Donovan has barely arrived in New Orleans to perfect her pastry skills at the renowned French Quarter bakery, Boulangerie Bertrand, when a ghastly murder rocks the magical city. Intrigued by the case, Piper can’t help but look for the “Hoodoo Killer” among the faces around her. Could it be the handsome guide eager to give her special private tours? Or the inscrutable jazz musician who plays on historic Royal Street? What about the ratings-starved radio talk-show host? Or even the amiable owner of the local Gris-Gris Bar? Though Piper has a full plate decorating cakes for upcoming wedding celebrations, she’s also landed an exciting but unnerving role in a movie being shot in the Big Easy. When the murderer strikes again, leaving macabre clues, she thinks she can unmask the killer. But Piper will have to conjure up some old black magic of her own if she hopes to live long enough to reveal the truth.

Grammardog Teacher''s Guide contains 16 quizzes for this novel. All sentences are from the novel. Figurative language includes: "When sorrow ceases to be speculative, sleep sees her opportunity." "The pair were in truth but the ashes of their former fires." "Having been lying down in her clothes, she was warm as a sunned cat." "He looked at the fire of logs, with its one flame pirouetting on the top in a dying dance." "The university as a step to anything but ordination seemed . . . a preface without a volume."

This comparative study explores the lives of some of the women who first initiated challenges to male exclusivity in the legal professions in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. Their challenges took place at a time of considerable optimism about progressive societal change, including new and expanding opportunities for women, as well as a variety of proposals for reforming law, legal education, and standards of legal professionalism. By situating women''s claims for admission to the bar within this reformist context in different jurisdictions, the study examines the intersection of historical ideas about gender and about legal professionalism at the turn of the twentieth century. In exploring these systemic issues, the study also provides detailed examinations of the lives of some of the first women lawyers in six jurisdictions: the United States, Canada, Britain, New Zealand and Australia, India, and western Europe. In exploring how individual women adopted different legal arguments in litigated cases, or devised particular strategies to overcome barriers to professional work, the study assesses how shifting and contested ideas about gender and about legal professionalism shaped women''s opportunities and choices, as well as both support for and opposition to their claims. As a comparative study of the first women lawyers in several different jurisdictions, the book reveals how a number of quite different women engaged with ideas of gender and legal professionalism at the turn of the twentieth century.

This helpful and user-friendly book provides a practical guide to the physical and emotional well-being during the premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal years. Based on the experience of a woman gynecologist who has been in practice for 20 years, the book presents thorough, unbiased answers to the questions women ask about this crucial time in their lives.

Every intermediate algebra lesson, example, and practice problem you need in a single, easy-to-use reference Algebra II can be a tough nut to crack when you first meet it. But with the right tools...well, she''s still tough but she gets a heckuva lot easier to manage. In Algebra II All-in-One For Dummies you''ll find your very own step-by-step roadmap to solving even the most challenging Algebra II problems, from conics and systems of equations to exponential and logarithmic functions. In the book, you''ll discover the ins and outs of function transformation and evaluation, work out your brain with complex and imaginary numbers, and apply formulas from statistics and probability theory. You''ll also find: Accessible and practical lessons and practice for second year high-school or university algebra students End-of-chapter quizzes that help you learn – and remember! – key algebraic concepts, such as quadratic equations, graphing techniques, and matrices One-year access to additional chapter quizzes online, where you can track your progress and get real-time feedback! Your own personal mathematical toolbox for some of the most useful and foundational math you''ll learn in school, this Algebra II All-in-One For Dummies combines hands-on techniques, methods, and strategies from a variety of sources into one, can''t-miss reference. You''ll get the insights, formulas, and practice you need, all in a single book (with additional quizzes online!) that''s ideal for students and lifelong learners alike!

Mary Jane Holmes'' novel ''Lena Rivers'' is a compelling and heartwarming tale centered around the trials and tribulations of the eponymous protagonist. Written in the sentimental style popular during the 19th century, Holmes expertly weaves a narrative full of drama, romance, and family dynamics. Set in rural America, the novel explores themes of love, loss, and forgiveness, making it a poignant and timeless piece of literature. The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, making it a captivating read for those interested in domestic fiction of the era. Mary Jane Holmes'' writing is characterized by its attention to detail and emotional depth, capturing the essence of 19th-century American life with precision and grace. Mary Jane Holmes, a prolific American author, drew inspiration for ''Lena Rivers'' from her own experiences and observations of society. Her keen insight into human nature and her ability to create relatable characters have solidified her reputation as a prominent writer of her time. With over 30 novels to her name, Holmes remains a significant figure in American literature, celebrated for her contributions to the genre of sentimental fiction. I recommend ''Lena Rivers'' to readers who enjoy classic American literature and are interested in exploring themes of love, family, and resilience. Mary Jane Holmes'' novel offers a glimpse into the social and emotional landscape of 19th-century America, making it a valuable addition to any literary collection.

A jargon-free, non-technical, and easily accessible introduction to women''s studies!All too many students enter academia with the hazy idea that the field of women''s studies is restricted to housework, birth control, and Susan B. Anthony. Their first encounter with a women''s studies textbook is likely to focus on the history and sociology of women''s lives. While these topics are important, the emphasis on them has led to neglect of equally important issues. Transforming the Disciplines: A Women''s Studies Primer is one of the first women''s studies textbooks to show feminist scholarship as an active force, changing the way we study such diverse fields as architecture, bioethics, history, mathematics, religion, and sports studies.Although this text was designed as an introduction to women''s studies, it is also rewarding for upper-level or graduate students who want to understand the pervasive effects of feminist theory. Most chapters provide a bibliography or list of further reading of significant works. Its clear, jargon-free prose makes feminist thought accessible to general readers without sacrificing the revolutionary power of its ideas. In almost thirty essays, covering a broad range of subjects from anthropology to chemistry to rhetoric, Transforming the Disciplines exemplifies the changes achieved by feminist thought. Transforming the Disciplines: combines a high standard of writing and scholarship with personal insight includes both traditional academic arguments and alternative, non-agonistic forms of discussion embraces an international scope challenges traditional assumptions, models, and methodologies offers an inter- and multidisciplinary approach strengthens readers’understanding of the big picture not only for women but for all disempowered groups critiques feminism as well as patriarchal society Feminist theory is grounded in a questioning of traditional assumptions about what is right, natural, and self-evident, not just about the roles and nature of men and women but about how we think, what we teach, whose experience matters, and what is important. Transforming the Disciplines is the first textbook to show the consequences of those questions -- not the answers themselves, but the consequences of the willingness to ask and the transformations that have occurred when the “right” answers changed.

Algebra II Essentials For Dummies (9781119590873) was previously published as Algebra II Essentials For Dummies (9780470618400). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. Passing grades in two years of algebra courses are required for high school graduation. Algebra II Essentials For Dummies covers key ideas from typical second-year Algebra coursework to help students get up to speed. Free of ramp-up material, Algebra II Essentials For Dummies sticks to the point, with content focused on key topics only. It provides discrete explanations of critical concepts taught in a typical Algebra II course, from polynomials, conics, and systems of equations to rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. This guide is also a perfect reference for parents who need to review critical algebra concepts as they help students with homework assignments, as well as for adult learners headed back into the classroom who just need a refresher of the core concepts. The Essentials For Dummies Series Dummies is proud to present our new series, The Essentials For Dummies. Now students who are prepping for exams, preparing to study new material, or who just need a refresher can have a concise, easy-to-understand review guide that covers an entire course by concentrating solely on the most important concepts. From algebra and chemistry to grammar and Spanish, our expert authors focus on the skills students most need to succeed in a subject.

Grammardog Teacher''s Guide contains 16 quizzes for this Shakespearean comedy. All sentences are from the play. Quizzes feature famous quotes ("Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them." "If music be the food of love, play on, give me excess of it." "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." "I have unclasped to thee the book even of my secret soul." "She sat like Patience on a monument, smiling at grief.").

Reprint of the original, first published in 1883.

Special Value Bundle - Two great books, one low price. Algebra I For Dummies Education Bundle, 2nd Edition, tracks to a typical high school Algebra class. Now with 25 percent new and revised content in the updated edition of Algebra I For Dummies, this bundle is sure to meet the needs of students and parents today. Algebra I For Dummies, 2nd Edition Factor fearlessly, conquer the quadratic formula, and solve linear equations. There''s no doubt that algebra can be easy to some while extremely challenging to others. If you''re vexed by variables, Algebra I For Dummies, 2nd Edition provides the plain-English, easy-to-follow guidance you need to get the right solution every time! Now with 25% new and revised content, this easy-to-understand reference not only explains algebra in terms you can understand, but it also gives you the necessary tools to solve complex problems with confidence. You''ll understand how to factor fearlessly, conquer the quadratic formula, and solve linear equations. Includes revised and updated examples and practice problems Provides explanations and practical examples that mirror today''s teaching methods Whether you''re currently enrolled in a high school or college algebra course or are just looking to brush-up your skills, Algebra I For Dummies, 2nd Edition gives you friendly and comprehensible guidance on this often difficult-to-grasp subject. Algebra I Workbook For Dummies From signed numbers to story problems — calculate equations with ease Got a grasp on the terms and concepts you need to know, but get lost halfway through a problem or worse yet, not know where to begin? No fear — this hands-on-guide focuses on helping you solve the many types of algebra problems you encounter in a focused, step-by-step manner. With just enough refresher explanations before each set of problems, you''ll sharpen your skills and improve your performance. You''ll see how to work with fractions, exponents, factoring, linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, graphs, and more! Step-by-step answer sets clearly identify where you went wrong (or right) with a problem The inside scoop on operating and factoring Know where to begin and how to solve the most common equations How to use algebra in practical applications with confidence Author Bio: Mary Jane Sterling (Peoria, Illinois) is the author of Algebra I For Dummies, Algebra Workbook For Dummies, Algebra II For Dummies, Algebra II Workbook For Dummies, and five other For Dummies books. She has been at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois for more than 30 years, teaching algebra, business calculus, geometry, finite mathematics, and whatever interesting material comes her way.

It is 1953 - Coronation year - and like all of Cockney London the members of the Adams family are looking forward to the celebrations. Chinese Lady, now Lady Finch, worries that her friends will think she is too grand to mingle with them . But her husband has a more pressing worry - the sudden appearance of the lovely but mysterious Katje Galicia, who knows more than she should about his own chequered past. Young Jimmy Adams, meanwhile, is enjoying working at the family clothing factory, where at the retirement party for two of the oldest employees, Bert and Gertie Roper, he meets their lively granddaughter Clare. Before long he has offered her a job on the switchboard, and has hopes of seeing her after working hours as well. And brave Felicity, blinded in the blitz, thinks she notices a glimmer of light appearing in her dark world - but dare not tell her husband, in case it is just her imagination... With the young Queen now on the throne, times are changing for the Adams family.

Algebra I Essentials For Dummies (9781119590965) was previously published as Algebra I Essentials For Dummies (9780470618349). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. With its use of multiple variables, functions, and formulas algebra can be confusing and overwhelming to learn and easy to forget. Perfect for students who need to review or reference critical concepts, Algebra I Essentials For Dummies provides content focused on key topics only, with discrete explanations of critical concepts taught in a typical Algebra I course, from functions and FOILs to quadratic and linear equations. This guide is also a perfect reference for parents who need to review critical algebra concepts as they help students with homework assignments, as well as for adult learners headed back into the classroom who just need a refresher of the core concepts. The Essentials For Dummies Series Dummies is proud to present our new series, The Essentials For Dummies. Now students who are prepping for exams, preparing to study new material, or who just need a refresher can have a concise, easy-to-understand review guide that covers an entire course by concentrating solely on the most important concepts. From algebra and chemistry to grammar and Spanish, our expert authors focus on the skills students most need to succeed in a subject.

A tension-filled thriller from a rising star writer, Let Me Whisper in Your Ear is Mary Jane Clark''s best book yet. Reporter Laura Walsh''s KEY News colleagues jokingly call her the "Angel of Death" because of her uncanny ability to have celebrities'' obituaries ready to roll-even for people who are not expected to die. It seems someone''s been "whispering" in Laura''s ear, tipping her off to secrets about some of the rich and famous who don''t have long to live. When the remains of a 12-year old boy, missing for 30 years, are discovered buried where the legendary Palisades Amusement Park once stood, Laura sees her chance to move beyond the obits to "Hourglass," KEY News'' answer to "60 Minutes." But when glamorous "Hourglass" host Gwyneth Gilpatric meets a devastating end, Laura''s ready-to-air obit raises not only the suspicions of her co-workers, but of the police as well.

God’s Love and Promises: Bible Stories for Young Hearts is a children’s book that introduces young readers to the amazing stories of the Bible. Each story is carefully crafted to captivate the imaginations of children and to help them understand the love and goodness of God. Through engaging narratives, children will be introduced to Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, and more. Along the way, they will learn important lessons about courage, faith, forgiveness, and love. As children listen to these stories before bedtime, they will be encouraged to look toward God and his wonderful works to guide them throughout their lives. This book is the perfect way to introduce young children to the Bible and to help them lay a foundation for a lifelong relationship with God.

"This thoughtful book provides expert overviews of historical, sociological, psychological, cultural, legal and rights-informed approaches to childhood. Through these well written, readable chapters, students will be engaged with important debates in childhood studies, and led towards many ideas and problems for further investigation. This second edition includes new chapters arguing strongly for interdisciplinarity and for measured responses to the current ''crisis'' in UK childhoods." Berry Mayall, Institute of Education, University of London, UK An Introduction to Childhood Studies offers a wide-ranging and thought-provoking approach to the study of childhood, providing an important contribution to this burgeoning area of research and teaching. It brings together key themes in the area of Childhood Studies, providing a comprehensive and accessible introduction for students and practitioners, helping to answer questions such as: What is childhood and how can it be studied and understood? How is the idea of childhood shaped by the society we live in? The contributors - who are leading figures in their fields - examine childhood from historical, socio-cultural and policy perspectives. They explore aspects such as the construction of childhood, children''s literature, childhood in the digital age and children''s rights. Revised and updated throughout, the new edition includes: An expanded introductory chapter - Childhood Studies: past, present, future A new chapter on children''s rights and educational provision A new concluding chapter - The future of childhood Revised and updated chapters Further reading suggestions for each chapter An Introduction to Childhood Studies is a key text for students on courses in childhood studies, child psychology, social policy and the sociology of youth and childhood.

Functional Analysis: A Practitioner''s Guide to Implementation and Training provides practitioners with the most updated information about applying the wide span of current functional analysis (FA) methodologies geared specifically to applied service settings. The book serves as a self-instructional implementation to a broad-base of trainees and care-providers within schools, clinics, centers and human services organizations. Adopting a Behavioral Skills Training and competency-based training outcomes approach, the learning materials and activities featured in the book include suggested slideshow presentations, role-play exercises, pre- and post-training quizzes, natural setting evaluation methods, data recording forms, instructional scripts and reproducible handouts. - Covers an historical overview and the ethical considerations of functional analysis - Examines FA methodology, measurement methods and experimental designs - Teaches how to independently design, conduct and interpret FAs - Explains how to formulate FA-informed intervention plans - Presents an agile curriculum that can be customized for different providers

Camilla MacPhee is the black sheep of her perfect, blonde family, although she runs a law office specializing in Justice for Victims of violent crimes. However, her uneasy association with the world of crime takes a bizarre turn when a vicious, vindictive fashion columnist with underworld connections named Mitzi Brochu is crucified in a downtown hotel room. The problem is that Camilla’s best friend Robin was on her way to meet the victim, and has become the main suspect. Camilla sets out to vindicate her friend, but finding the real killer isn’t easy, as just about anyone among the politicians and supermodels skewered by Mitzi’s rapier wit could be said to have had ample motive. The investigation turns dangerous, as Camilla receives cryptic warnings while following a grisly killer’s trail marked by more murders of humans and felines. The cast of characters includes a sleazy rock promoter, a nosy, sherry-mad old lady, a suave but mysterious hotel manager, a grumpy Mountie, and several manipulative sisters in this seriously funny first mystery novel by Mary Jane Maffini.

From angles to functions to identities - solve trig equations withease Got a grasp on the terms and concepts you need to know, but getlost halfway through a problem or worse yet, not know where tobegin? No fear - this hands-on-guide focuses on helping you solvethe many types of trigonometry equations you encounter in afocused, step-by-step manner. With just enough refresherexplanations before each set of problems, you''ll sharpen yourskills and improve your performance. You''ll see how to work withangles, circles, triangles, graphs, functions, the laws of sinesand cosines, and more! 100s of Problems! * Step-by-step answer sets clearly identify where you went wrong(or right) with a problem * Get the inside scoop on graphing trig functions * Know where to begin and how to solve the most commonequations * Use trig in practical applications with confidence

Covers percentages, probability, proportions, and more Get a grip on all types of word problems by applying them to real life Are you mystified by math word problems? This easy-to-understand guide shows you how to conquer these tricky questions with a step-by-step plan for finding the right solution each and every time, no matter the kind or level of problem. From learning math lingo and performing operations to calculating formulas and writing equations, you''ll get all the skills you need to succeed! Discover how to: * Translate word problems into plain English * Brush up on basic math skills * Plug in the right operation or formula * Tackle algebraic and geometric problems * Check your answers to see if they work