Description

Offering examples and applications tailored specifically to the automotive trades, Automotive Mathematics, 1^st Edition, gives students a sound background in the mathematical skills necessary to be skilled and competent technicians. Early chapters of the text focus on fundamental mathematics skills such as ratios, percents, measurement systems and geometry; later chapters apply basic skills to topics such as engine balancing, camshaft event timing, modifying compression ratio, planetary gear ratios and hydraulics. Designed with versatility in mind, the text offers diverse problem sets (organized by level of difficulty), flexible organization, and in-depth examples that make math meaningful and relevant to the automotive technology student.

Features

 

Offering examples and applications tailored specifically to the automotive trades, Automotive Mathematics, 1^st Edition, gives students a sound background in the mathematical skills necessary to be skilled and competent technicians. Early chapters of the text focus on fundamental mathematics skills such as ratios, percents, measurement systems and geometry; later chapters apply basic skills to topics such as engine balancing, camshaft event timing, modifying compression ratio, planetary gear ratios and hydraulics. Designed with versatility in mind, the text offers diverse problem sets (organized by level of difficulty), flexible organization, and in-depth examples that make math meaningful and relevant to the automotive technology student.

 

 

Chapters 1-8 focus on fundamental mathematics skills—such as ratios, proportions, percents, fractions and measurement systems. 

• Give students a solid foundation in the math skills that will make them better mechanics and more qualified technicians.
• Demonstrate how math competence can lead to better problem solving and can be used by mechanics and technicians in installation, maintenance and repair.  

Chapters 9-16 apply math skills directly to automotive systems—such as the engine, transmission, and hydraulics.

• Devote one chapter to each system so students can see how math is involved with almost every aspect of the automobile or piece of heavy equipment.
• Provide discrete stand-alone chapters so instructors can cover topics most compatible with their own course. 

Technical explanations support theoretical concepts—throughout the text.

• Assume no prior knowledge of any part of the automotive system.
• Provide thorough explanations of topics not covered in other texts such as engine balancing, camshaft event timing, modifying compression ratio, planetary gear ratios and additional hydraulic topics. 

Problem sets offer a wide range of difficulty levels—for diverse audiences.

• Acknowledge varied student backgrounds and organizes problems by difficulty level (basic, moderate, high) so they are easy to assign.
• Give instructors the ability to tailor their course to meet the needs and backgrounds of their students.  

Examples are extensive and relate to automotive concepts—throughout the text.

• Support each objective and each type of homework problem and help students better understand the equipment they repair.
• Allow students to work independently and develop their own problem solving capabilities.

Table of Contents

1. Whole Number Operations with General Applications

2. Decimal Operations with Applications to Measurement and Finance

3. Fractional Operations with Applications to Measurement

4. Ratio and Proportion

5. Percent and Percent Applications

6. The Metric System and Unit Conversion

7. Geometry

8. Signed Numbers

9. Engine

10. Crankshafts and Camshafts

11. Thermodynamics

12. Transmission and Gear Ratios

13. Hydraulic Systems

14. Electrical Systems

15. Motion

16. Repair Orders

Author

Jason C. Rouvel is an applied mathematics instructor at Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with dual minors in Physics and Automotive Engineering Technology, and a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics, all from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Mr. Rouvel has a strong interest in automotive technology, and has worked closely with the Automotive Technology instructors at WWTC to develop curriculum that is relevant for students entering this trade.