PREFACE. SCIENCE, in its popular signification, means knowledge reduced to order; that is, knowledge so classified and arranged as to be easily remembered, readily referred to, and advantageously applied. More strictly, it is a knowledge of laws, relations, and principles. ARITHMETIC is the science of numbers, and the art of applying numbers to all practical purposes. It is the foundation of the exact and mixed sciences, and an accurate knowledge of it is an important element either of a liberal or practical education. It is the first subject, in a well-arranged course of instruction, to which the reasoning faculties of the mind are applied, and is the guide-book of the mechanic and man of business. It is the first fountain at which the young votary of knowledge drinks the pure waters of intellectual truth. It has seemed, to the author, of the first importance that this subject should be carefully treated in our Elementary Textbooks. In the hope of contributing something to so desirable an end, he has prepared a series of arithmetical works, embracing four books, entitled, Primary Arithmetic; Intellectua Arithmetic; Practical Arithmetic; and University Arithmeticthe latter of which is the present volume. PRIMARY ARITHMETIC. This first-book is adapted to the capacities and wants of young children. Sensible objects are employed to illustrate and make familiar the simple combinations and relations of numbers. Each lesson embraces one combination of numbers, or one set of combinations. rected; and a very large number and variety of practical examples have been added. The subjects of Fractions, Propor tion, Interest, Percentage, Alligation, Analysis, and Weights. and Measures, present many new and valuable features, which are not found in other works. A Key to the present work has also been published for the use of such Teachers as may desire it,-prepared with great care, containing not only the answers and solutions of all. the examples, but a full and comprehensive analysis of the or difficult ones. The author has great pleasure in acknowledging the interest: which Teachers have manifested in the success of his labors they have suggested many improvements, both in rules and methods, not only in his elementary, but also in his advanced works. The recitation-room is the final tribunal, and the intelligent teacher the final judge, before which all text-books must stand or fall. COLUMBIA COLLEGE, |