pt. I. Understanding the basics -- 1. Reasons to be cheerful about mathematics -- 2. The magic number machine -- Counting numbers -- Ordering numbers -- Tens and units -- Hundreds, thousands and beyond -- Children and numbers -- 3. Calculating with numbers -- Properties of numbers -- Adding -- Subtracting -- Multiplying -- Dividing -- Knowing what sum to do -- 4. Fractions -- Fitting fractions into the number line -- What are equivalent fractions? -- Adding and subtracting fractions -- Multiplying and dividing fractions -- Ratio and proportion -- 5. Decimals -- Decimal fractions -- What is the point of the decimal point? -- Using the four rules with decimals -- Dividing fractions -- 6. Percentages -- Changing a fraction to a percentage -- Calculating percentage increases and reductions -- 7. Measuring -- Imperial and metric units -- 8. Statistical graphs -- Barcharts and piecharts -- Scattergraphs and line graphs -- Misleading graphs -- 9. Using a formula -- Is algebra abstract and irrelevant? -- Algebra as shorthand -- Calculating with formulas -- Proving with algebra -- 10. Puzzles, games and diversions -- Bus number game -- Pub cricket -- Guess my number -- Finger tables -- The story of 12 -- Magic squares -- Magic triangle -- Upside down -- Logically speaking -- The bells, the bells! -- Calculator inversions -- Four 4s -- Return journey -- Find the numbers -- Explore and explain the pattern -- 1089 and all that -- Large and small sums -- Gold pieces -- Initially speaking -- Guess the number -- Nim -- Calculator snooker -- Place invaders -- 11. Spreadsheets -- Number sequences on a spreadsheet -- Percentages on a spreadsheet -- 12. Diagnostic quiz -- pt. II. Mathematics in action (appendices) -- Calculating a best buy -- Reading the 24-hour clock -- Bus and railway timetables -- Checking the supermarket bill -- Understanding a shop receipt -- Checking the VAT -- Cooking with figures -- Buying a TV set -- Will it fit? -- Measures of alcohol -- Understanding barcodes -- Junk mail and free offers -- Winning on the National Lottery -- Safe travel -- World population.