Painless Geometry

by Lynette Long

Published 1 July 2001
Titles in Barron's Painless Series are textbook supplements designed especially for classroom use by middle school and high school students. The approach of each title is an appeal to students who think that the subject is boring, or too difficult, or both. The authors, all experienced educators, take a light approach, showing kids what is most interesting about each subject, and how seemingly difficult problems can be transformed into fun quizzes, brain-ticklers, and challenging puzzles with rational solutions. Geometry becomes painless--and even fun--once students learn the subject's basic components and see how solving any geometric problem is fitting parts together to solve an intriguing puzzle. They learn the meaning of postulates and theorems, discover angles of all kinds, find the relationships that exist between parallel and perpendicular lines, and discover the characteristics of shapes such as triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles. The author introduces real-world geometry experiments to make concepts less abstract, offers study strategies, and demonstrates how mini-proofs are the first step toward understanding formal geometry proofs.

Painless Algebra

by Lynette Long

Published March 1998
For students who break out in a cold sweat at the mention of any math subject, Painless Algebra is a way to relax and learn without pain. The author's approach eliminates confusion by taking math details one at a time and transforming algebra into a subject everybody can master--and even enjoy! Painless Algebra is an ideal self-teaching text for middle-school students who need more help than they're getting in the classroom. It also makes fine preparation for those taking SAT, ACT and other tests where questions include math problems. A user-friendly introductory chapter gives meanings in simple English for algebraic terms, instructs on the correct order of operations when solving a problem, and outlines numbers properties and systems. Following chapters cover integers, equations with one variable, inequalities, systems of equations, exponents, roots and radicals, and quadratic equations. Each chapter contains fun-to-solve "brain tickler" problems, with answers.

Painless Chemistry

by Lynette Long and Loris Chen

Published 1 August 2011

Ages 9 + years

Taking Chemistry doesn't have to be painful! With this guide, students will see how the Periodic Table of Elements offers the key to understanding chemistry, discover many of nature's surprises, explore atomic theory, chemical bonding, the structure of molecules, and more. Titles in Barron's extensive Painless Series cover a wide range of subjects taught at middle school and high school levels. Perfect for supporting state standards, these books are written for students who find the subjects somewhat confusing, or just need a little extra help. The authors' main goal is to clear up confusion and pique interest by emphasizing the intriguing and often exciting ways in which students can put each subject to practical use. Most of these books take a lighthearted, humorous approach to their subjects, and offer fun exercises including puzzles, games, and challenging "Brain Tickler" problems to solve.


Painless Pre-Algebra

by Lynette Long

Published 1 June 2021