ABSTRACT

Unlike most engineering maths texts, this book does not assume a firm grasp of GCSE maths, and unlike low-level general maths texts, the content is tailored specifically for the needs of engineers. The result is a unique book written for engineering students, which takes a starting point below GCSE level. Basic Engineering Mathematics is therefore ideal for students of a wide range of abilities, and especially for those who find the theoretical side of mathematics difficult.

All students taking vocational engineering courses who require fundamental knowledge of mathematics for engineering and do not have prior knowledge beyond basic school mathematics, will find this book essential reading. The content has been designed primarily to meet the needs of students studying Level 2 courses, including GCSE Engineering and Intermediate GNVQ, and is matched to BTEC First specifications. However Level 3 students will also find this text to be a useful resource for getting to grips with the essential mathematics concepts needed for their study, as the compulsory topics required in BTEC National and AVCE / A Level courses are also addressed.

The fourth edition incorporates new material on adding waveforms, graphs with logarithmic scales, and inequalities – key topics needed for GCSE and Level 2 study.

John Bird’s approach is based on numerous worked examples, supported by 600 worked problems, followed by 1050 further problems within exercises included throughout the text. In addition, 15 Assignments are included at regular intervals. Ideal for use as tests or homework, full solutions to the Assignments are supplied in the accompanying Instructor’s Manual, available as a free download for lecturers from https://textbooks.elsevier.com.

chapter 1|5 pages

Basic arithmetic

chapter 2|8 pages

Fractions, decimals and percentages

chapter 4|9 pages

Calculations and evaluation of formulae

chapter 5|7 pages

Computer numbering systems

chapter 6|10 pages

Algebra

chapter 7|7 pages

Simple equations

chapter 8|6 pages

Transposition of formulae

chapter 9|9 pages

Simultaneous equations

chapter 10|8 pages

Quadratic equations

chapter 11|6 pages

Inequalities

chapter 12|11 pages

Straight line graphs

chapter 13|9 pages

Graphical solution of equations

chapter 14|4 pages

Logarithms

chapter 15|10 pages

Exponential functions

chapter 17|7 pages

Graphs with logarithmic scales

chapter 18|11 pages

Geometry and triangles

chapter 19|9 pages

Introduction to trigonometry

chapter 20|11 pages

Trigonometric waveforms

chapter 21|4 pages

Cartesian and polar co-ordinates

chapter 22|8 pages

Areas of plane figures

chapter 23|6 pages

The circle

chapter 24|11 pages

Volumes of common solids

chapter 26|9 pages

Triangles and some practical applications

chapter 27|7 pages

Vectors

chapter 28|4 pages

Adding of waveforms

chapter 29|8 pages

Number sequences

chapter 30|9 pages

Presentation of statistical data

chapter 32|6 pages

Probability

chapter 33|10 pages

Introduction to differentiation

chapter 34|9 pages

Introduction to integration