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.