The Skills You Need Guide to Numeracy

This four-part guide takes you through the basics of numeracy from arithmetic to algebra, with stops in between at fractions, decimals, geometry and statistics.

We know that numeracy matters: it affects your work prospects, and also your life. Good numeracy makes so many tasks easier, from home improvements to more advanced financial planning. People with better numeracy skills have better jobs, better well-being and are less stressed. However, many adults leave school with numeracy skills below those expected of an 11 year old.

Whether you want to brush up on your basics, or help your children with their learning, these are the eBooks for you.

The four books are:

• Fundamentals of Numeracy – Understanding and using numbers.

• Proportion – Understanding part-numbers and relationships between whole numbers.

• Shapes, Lines and Solids: Understanding Geometry – Understanding the mathematics of shapes and solids.

• Data Handling and Algebra – Developing an understanding of statistics and using letters to represent numbers.

Fundamentals of Numeracy

This book is the first part in the Skills You Need Guide to Numeracy, and covers the fundamentals of numeracy.

This book starts by explaining what we mean by ‘numbers’. It goes on to discuss different sorts of numbers, including prime numbers, complex numbers and imaginary numbers. It also introduces the idea of systems of measurement, including the metric system and time. The book then goes on to explain how to manipulate numbers through the four basic mathematical operations (adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying).

The book also contains a glossary of common mathematical terms and symbols.

This book provides worked examples and easy-to-understand explanations to show you how to use basic mathematical operations and start to manipulate numbers. It also includes real-world examples to make clear how these concepts are useful in real life. These areas may sound basic, but they form the foundation for all further mathematics. It is important to be sure that you understand these fundamentals before you try to move onto more advanced mathematics.

Published by: Skills You Need Limited. April 2021.

ISBN: 978-1-911084-36-5

Proportion

This eBook is the second part in the Skills You Need Guide to Numeracy. It builds on the concepts described in Book 1 Fundamentals of Numeracy to talk about proportion. This means considering numbers as parts of other numbers, as parts of a larger whole, or in relation to other numbers.

The eBook starts by talking about fractions and decimals, the two main ways to express part-numbers. It describes what both are, and how to convert from fractions to decimals and vice versa. It also explains how to use the basic mathematical operations described in Part 1 (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) with both fractions and decimals.

The eBook then moves on to discuss ratio and proportion, or numbers expressed in relation to other numbers or a larger whole. It explains how to work out proportions and ratios, with worked examples and questions for you to try. The third section talks about percentages, a particular form of proportion.

Finally, this book, like the others in the series, contains a glossary of common mathematical terms and symbols.

Published by: Skills You Need Limited. April 2021.

ISBN: 978-1-911084-37-2

Shapes, Lines and Solids: Understanding Geometry

This eBook is the third part in the Skills You Need Guide to Numeracy. It covers the branch of mathematics called geometry, which deals with the properties of shapes, lines and solids. These concepts are built up through the book, with worked examples and opportunities for you to practise your new skills.

The book starts by discussing points, lines and angles, the basic building blocks for all other shapes and solids. It goes on to discuss two-dimensional (flat) shapes, such as squares, triangles and circles. It explains the basic principles of working with each of these, and how to calculate important concepts such as area.

The third section of the book explores three-dimensional shapes or solids. It considers both regular and irregular shapes, and describes how to find the surface area and volume of these solids. The book also contains an Area, Surface Area and Volume Reference Sheet, or ‘ready reckoner’ to help you with two- and three-dimensional shapes.

As with the other books in the series, there is a glossary of common maths terms and symbols at the back of the book.

Published by: Skills You Need Limited. April 2021.

ISBN: 978-1-911084-38-9

Data Handling and Algebra

This is the fourth part of the Skills You Need Guide to Numeracy. It covers two areas of more advanced mathematics, data handling and algebra. Data handling in particular is becoming increasingly important. Many organisations are using data to drive better decisions, drawing on sources such as connected sensors, the Internet of Things and social media. As more decisions are made about and for us, drawing on more data, we all need a better understanding of the techniques behind these decisions.

The first part of this book deals with handling and visualising data: the raw material used to develop information. The book then moves on to explain how to carry out some basic statistical analysis, such as forms of average. As with all the parts of this Skills You Need guide, the book contains plenty of worked examples to improve understanding. It also provides real-world information to show you how these concepts are useful.

The final chapter introduces the concept of algebra, the part of mathematics that uses letters or symbols to represent numbers in formulae or equations. This part of the book introduces some of the concepts in algebra, and explains how to solve basic equations.

As with all the other books in the series, there is a glossary of common mathematical symbols and terms at the back of the book.

Published by: Skills You Need Limited. April 2021.

ISBN: 978-1-911084-39-6

Personal Development

Learn how to set yourself effective personal goals and find the motivation you need to achieve them. This is the essence of personal development, a set of skills designed to help you reach your full potential, at work, in study and in your personal life.

The Skills You Need Guide to Personal Development eBook is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their skills and learning potential, and it is full of easy-to-follow, practical information. It is now in a new edition with additional content, including practical aspects of development.

The Skills You Need Guide to Interpersonal Skills

Our interpersonal skills guide covers communication skills, conflict resolution and emotional intelligence.

Essential reading for anybody who wants to enjoy better interpersonal relationships at work, at home and socially.

Getting a Job

This is an eBook that no potential job-seeker can afford to be without!

The second edition of the Skills You Need Guide to Getting a Job takes you through the whole process of getting a job.

It helps you to identify what you can offer to employers, before moving on to applying for jobs and attending interviews, including remotely and in person. It also shows you how to avoid putting off potential employers, by making sure that your digital profile is as suitable as your CV or résumé. It even contains new and updated information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on job-seeking, and how the process has changed as a result.

Living the ‘New Normal’ in the Age of Covid-19

This eBook is designed to help you through the process of ‘going digital’ and managing other aspects of life during a pandemic.

Covid-19 has brought huge changes in many of our lives. Digitisation—the use of technology to automate activities—was already happening, but its adoption was accelerated. Millions of us moved our lives online. Since Spring 2020, we have learned to work from home, socialise via video apps, and help our children to learn remotely—not to mention developing our own skills.

From how to get yourself online, through how to keep safe, to working, learning and staying in touch with friends and family remotely, this book covers the key skills you need to survive and thrive.