THE PREFACE EXPLANATORY. In the compilation of the "AMERICAN STUDENT'S GUIDE," brevity, correctness, and perspicuity have been carefully and punctually attended to, throughout the whole work. The Rules are differently arranged from any author I have heretofore noticed, but I have followed that order which an experience of nearly forty years in the practice of tuition has taught me to be the most alleviating to preceptors, and beneficial to the students. The different Rules are divided into various Cases, and the most improving and useful questions are selected for each Case, one of which is explicitly wrought and explained at the beginning of the Case, and the answers given to the rest. Several new modes of contracted operations and explanatory notes will appear in a plain and familiar manner. The Rules of Proportion, Practice, and Simple Interest, Vulgar and Decimal Fractions, Involution or the raising of Powers, Evolution or the extraction of Roots, Annuities, Pensions, &c. in Arrears, Single and Double Position, Alligation, Progression, Permutation, and Combination of Numbers, a sketch of Mensuration, Artificers' work, and Gauging, are explained and exemplified so conspicuously, that it is believed they are intelligible to the most common capacity, and that a youth of tolerable genius and assiduous application may acquire a competent knowledge of Arithmetic, without the assis-tance of a teacher, after having learned the elementary Rules, namely, Numeration, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division. Now, I most sincerely and candidly inform the young students of Arithmetic (and hope it will not be taken amiss, as it is for their own benefit,) that a correct knowledge of it is indispensably necessary in their studies and progress through all the calculating sciences. My own experience in the tuition of youth has convinced me, that no proficiency of any consequence can be made by a student in any of the calculating sciences, who is not well versed in the science of Arithmetic. It is also requisite in the common occurrences of business, and nothing in commercial transactions can be done accurately without it. With much pleasure I now embrace the opportu nity of expressing my gratitude to those gentlemen who have soliberally patronized the publication of the "AMERICAN STUDENT'S GUIDE," by subscribing for the same, and also request them to exeuse the errors of the press, (should any occur, as there is no perfection in this world,) and my own defects. The intimation of an error, given by a friend, will be thankfully received by the compiler, and well wisher of the present and rising generation. GEORGE ALFRED.. 1. A table of coins which pass currently in the United States, with their sterling and federal value 3. Pieces of money formerly current, but not so now |