Algebra Fundamentals for Ultrasound Techs: A Student's Guide

by Y. S. Eastwood

Overview

Anyone who wants to become an ultrasound technologist knows that understanding algebra and how it serves as a foundation for physics is a top priority.

In this compact guidebook, a longtime teacher who has helped many students provides clear explanations and analysis to help you land your dream job.

Even if you struggle with learning what everyone else seems to understand about math, don’t despair. Take proactive steps to understand algebra fundamentals by referring to this guide, which offers answers to numerous questions and specific guidance, such as

how exponents make multiplication easy;
how to calculate in mathematics using scientific notation;
how equations, relationships and graphics can help you;
how fractions, decimals, and percentages work; and
how variables in equations can be solved.

The guidebook includes practice problems, easy-to-follow explanations, answer keys, and a glossary defining key terms. Stop living in fear, and start seeking good employment. It begins with unraveling the mysteries of algebra.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475976090
Publisher:	iUniverse, Incorporated
Publication date:	02/25/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	62
File size:	3 MB

Read an Excerpt

Algebra Fundamentals for Ultrasound Techs

A Student's Guide

---

By Y. S. Eastwood

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2013 Y. S. Eastwood
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4759-7610-6

---

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

How often I have looked upon the faces of my students as they entered my class. I can see that when it comes to math, a Veil of Mystification is telling from their eyes. More often than not, they are fearful that they will never learn what they believe everybody else understands about math. And so ... they keep silent and it is a deafening silence! And so ... my first task, as a teacher, is to lift that Veil of Mystification so that the deafening silence no longer exists. When I was asked to write this book, I wrote it for students. I wrote it for you!

This book is a study of the fundamentals of basic Algebra as a foundation for the study of physics as it relates to ultrasound but this little book can be used to study Algebra in any regard.

So how does this little book work? You might be asking yourself this question. The language of math in this book has been translated into language that you can understand. There are 33 sections.

This book was written in a progressive fashion so that it is like using "building blocks." In other words, each section is built upon the section before it.

There are many "Rules" in this little book. These are the rules of mathematics. Highlight the rules so that you remember them. Write them down on a piece of paper to reinforce your memory of them.

One of the most helpful aspects of this little book is that after each section there is a True/False Quiz. This format was selected because very often students will guess at multiple choice whereas with True/False questions, the students must work out the problems. Having a short quiz after each section reinforces the learning of that section.

A valuable suggestion is to have plenty of paper and a pencils on-hand when using this book, as well as a highlighter. Work out all problems in the book as well as the True/False Quiz questions.

Also included are pictures for those of you that are visual learners which will help you to identify the concepts.

After all of the sections and True/False quizzes, is a final examination. The answers to all quizzes and this Final Examination are in the back of the book. The answers are written out so that you understand how and why that answer was arrived at.

Included is a very handy Glossary which, again, is written in language that anyone can understand. Afterall, what good is a Glossary if you have to open a dictionary to understand the words in the Glossary.

At the end of this little book is the Appendix. Here you will find examples of the application of the math you will learn to the concepts of ultrasound.

Try to remember that we learn best by making mistakes. If this happens, do not panic. Return to the section previous to the one that you are studying and try the quiz again.

Being a math teacher for many years, every concept that was learned about how to teach math has been incorporated into this book. Had it not been for the many students I have been honored to teach, this book would otherwise not have been written.

So enjoy, have fun, and relax. The Cavalry ... help ... is on the way!

Y. S. Eastwood
(Continues...)

---

Excerpted from Algebra Fundamentals for Ultrasound Techs by Y. S. Eastwood. Copyright © 2013 by Y. S. Eastwood. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---

Table of Contents

Contents

1. Introduction....................     i     

2. Basic Operations....................     1     

3. An Easy Approach to Variables, Constants, and Units....................     2     

4. Practice Problems....................     3     

5. Fractions, Decimals and Percentages Finally Understood..................     4     

6. Practice Problems....................     5     

7. Reciprocals are a Matter of Flipping ... What Fun!....................     6     

8. Practice Problems....................     8     

9. Exponents Make Multiplication Easy....................     9     

10 Negative Exponents are Positive Reciprocals ... Huh???..................     10     

11. Adding and Subtractive Positive and Negative Exponents.................     11     

12. Practice Problems....................     12     

13. Scientific Notation....................     13     

14. Practice Problems....................     14     

15. The Basics of the Metric System....................     15     

16. Reciprocals and the Metric System....................     16     

17. Reciprocals and the Metric System for Frequency and Period.............     18     

18. Practice Problems....................     19     

19. Converting Between Units in the Numerator....................     20     

20. Converting Between Units in the Denominator....................     22     

21 Practice Problems....................     24     

22. Equations, Relationships, and Graphing....................     25     

23. Non-Linear Proportional Relationships Made Easy....................     29     

24. Non-Linear Inverse Proportional Relationships....................     31     

25. Practice Problems....................     32     

26. Determining Relationships....................     33     

27. Practice Problems....................     34     

28. Solving for a Particular Variable in an Equation....................     35     

29. The Distance Equation....................     36     

30. Final Examination....................     39     

31. Answer Keys for Practice Problems and Final Examination................     41     

32. Appendix A Application of Math to Ultrasound....................     44     

33. Appendix B Glossary....................     50     

34. Index....................     54