Prealgebra, 4/e, helps students make the transition from the concrete world of arithmetic to the symbolic world of algebra. The Aufmann team achieves this by introducing variables in Chapter 1 and integrating them throughout the rest of the text. This text\'s single greatest strength is the Aufmann Interactive Method, which enables students to work with the math concepts as they\'re being introduced. In addition, the text strongly emphasizes the AMATYC standards, with a special focus on real-sourced data. New! AIM for Success Student Preface explains how students can achieve success using this text, and walks them through the use of specific supportive features. Prep Tests at the beginning of each chapter focus on the particular prerequisite skills that will be used in the upcoming chapter. Go Figure problems are puzzles designed to engage students in problem solving. Aufmann Interactive Method provides students with an opportunity to try a skill as it is presented. Each section is divided into objectives, and every objective contains one or more sets of matched-pair examples. The first example in each set is worked out; the second example, called You Try It, requires students to actively practice concepts as they are presented in the text. Complete worked-out solutions to these examples are in the appendix, providing immediate feedback and reinforcement. Engaging chapter-opening photos illustrate and reference a specific mathematical application from the chapter. Short-answer Critical Thinking exercises and writing exercises at the end of each section reinforce understanding by encouraging students to think about or review an important concept presented in the lesson. All of the Exercise Sets emphasize skill building, skill maintenance, and applications. End-of-chapter support includes Focus on Problem Solving, which introduces students to various problem-solving strategies, and Projects & Group Activities, which include such varied applications as music, the stock market, earned run averages, buying a car, and nutrition. Throughout the text, data problems have been updated to reflect current data and trends. These application problems demonstrate for students the variety of problems that require mathematical analysis. Instructors can use many of these problems to lead interesting class discussions. Take Note margin notes alert student to a point requiring special attention or amplify the concept under discussion. Point of Interest margin notes contain interesting sidelights about mathematics, its history, or its application. Calculator Notes provide suggestions for using a calculator in certain situations. Calculator icons in both the Student Edition and Instructor\'s Annotated Edition indicate exercises that require a calculator. For ease of navigation and flexibility in choosing applications, an Index of Application appears on the inside front cover, and a chapter-by-chapter index of application problems can be found in the Table of Contents. Chapter Review Exercises at the end of each chapter help students integrate all of the topics presented in the chapter. A two-page Chapter Test provides students with the opportunity to test their understanding of the material and to diagnose their weaknesses. Cumulative Review Exercises help students maintain skills learned in previous chapters. Revised! Chapter S