Math for Life

by Dany Adams

Math for Life began as a small collection of shortcuts for doing the kind of calculations that come up frequently in laboratories. The shortcuts, collected or invented by Dr. Adams, simplify such tasks as converting units and diluting stock solutions, tasks that both students and seasoned researchers can find discouraging. Over the years, the original collection has grown to include many new shortcuts (some created specifically at the request of students or colleagues) and some useful reference lists.

Print out any or all of the shortcuts and reference lists. They are designed to be useful from now until the end of your career in science. By understanding them now, then literally carrying a copy with you from class to class, you will be ready to breeze through most of the math you will come across during your study of biology.

The best way to use the Math for Life Topics is to:

Read, until you understand, the explanation of what the shortcut does and why it works.
Work through the exercises.
Print out a copy of the shortcut and keep it with you or on the lab bench so that it is there when you need it.

If you have any comments, suggestions for new topics or tables, or if you find an error, please feel free to contact Dr. Adams (mathforlife@sinauer.com).

An advanced version of the concepts presented in Math for Life is available as a book from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. The book, called Lab Math: A Handbook of Measurements, Calculations, and Other Quantitative Skills For Use At The Bench includes, in addition to the ideas presented in Math for Life, some additional topics and shortcuts, chapters on math for molecular biology, and an introduction to statistics. Please visit www.cshlpress.com (Laboratory Manuals) for more information or to order Lab Math.

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