Arithmetic, Oral and Written, Practically Applied by Means of Suggestive Questions

Excerpt from Arithmetic, Oral and Written, Practically Applied by Means of Suggestive Questions

I had three main objects in the preparation of this Treatise, namely, 1. So to simplify the arrangement of the subject as to give a clear general view, to enable the student to grasp the science as a whole; 2. To save his time by the introduction of shorter and more rapid processes; and, 3. To develop his reasoning powers by constant practice.

I. Simplicity of arrangement. The most inattentive observer can hardly have failed to notice the present confused classification of Arithmetic. Who among the brightest of our scholars can tell us the principles on which it is arranged? can, at one view, take a clear and definite survey of the whole ground? In the present work, the science has been analyzed into a few simple principles, traced back, indeed, to one grand element, into which all others can be resolved; being, in fact, nothing more than mere abbreviations, by the omission of steps become superfluous by practice.

II. Rapid computation. - The present method of calculating in our schools has been aptly characterized as an awkward mode of spelling figures by taking them singly, in place of reading them in groups. The pupil is so shackled with the multitude of words supposed to be indispensable, that his progress is necessarily slow and limping. If this work is used agreeably to the directions in p. viii. and elsewhere, these incumbrances will be almost entirely avoided from the outset, and a degree of rapidity quickly attained, which, at first sight, would hardly appear credible. This rapidity of operation, too, is much increased by a very great diminution in the number of figures employed, amounting, in many cases, to more than a half.

III. Intellectual culture. - One of the principal objects in the study of the mathematics is the mental culture it affords; and undoubtedly arithmetic cannot be acquired at all without some improvement of the mind.

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