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Do you cringe at the thought of adding up? Does long division leave you in despair?... Hutchinson's Everyday Numbers is a new book which could be a Godsend for those unsure of numbers.
The handy-sized paperback explains everything about numbers for everyday life.
It includes everything from how to calculate how much wallpaper to buy, to how to get the most from your stocks and shares.
Complex information is presented in easy-to-use tables, charts and lists taking the pain out of even the most daunting calculation.
The book, which costs £9.99, includes a refresher course on basic maths skills and is packed with useful tips and tricks.
South Wales Argus
20 September 2001
Numbers, not words, rule our lives. This may be unpalatable for those who viewed mathematics as purgatory at school, but figures dictate our health and wealth. Help is at hand. Everyday Numbers (Hutchinson £9.99) gives the lowdown on all the crucial figures and sums you will need to take control of a disordered life.
It contains three sections. The first brushes up on the techniques that most people forget by the age of 20, such as calculating percentages. The final section deals with maths for the enthusiasts. But the middle section is the meat, dealing with all the numbers and sums for subjects such as personal finance, travel and shopping. If you want to work out how inflation affects your savings or discover the benefits of compound interest, they're covered. One trick calculates if your level of debt is sustainable. Add up your monthly payments, excluding housing costs, and multiply the result by 100. Divide that figure by your monthly take-home pay and you have the percentage of salary going on debt. Any more than 20 per cent of salary spent paying off debt is trouble.
One of the charts calculates the yearly interest payable on £1,000 outstanding balance on a credit card. By paying off the minimum monthly payments on a card with a rate of 19.4 per cent, the cardholder will have paid out £238.36, but reduced the overall balance by only £48.81 – terrifying reading for those who rely heavily on their plastic friend.
Consumers with a grasp of how to interpret the numbers can beat the marketing men. For those whose approach to finances is more miss than hit, there are also some hints on how to increase your share of a winning lottery jackpot. Choose numbers greater than 31, because so many people opt for their birthdays. Avoid lucky numbers such as 1, 7 and 11, and pick numbers in a sequence, which most people avoid. This means that if your numbers come up, you are less likely to have to share.
The Times
29 August 2001
If you want to know how gas bills are calculated or how to compare the prices of houses through floor space, then turn to Hutchinson Everyday Numbers (Helicon Books, £9.99).
The Observer
26 August 2001
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