Everyday Math
What it is
Section titled “What it is”The math of daily life — adding, subtracting, percentages, tips, measuring, and counting change.
Why it helps you
Section titled “Why it helps you”It keeps you safe with money and lets you follow recipes, schedules, and bills.
This opens up
Section titled “This opens up”Money, Cooking, Shopping Smart.
Where to get help
Section titled “Where to get help”Practice on your own, at your own speed
Section titled “Practice on your own, at your own speed”Khan Academy — Arithmetic Short videos and practice questions. They start with simple steps and build up to fractions and decimals. You get hints when you’re stuck.
- Cost: Free. It is a nonprofit.
- Who can use it: Anyone.
- How to start: Go to the page. Click Unit 1 and watch the first video. Go slow. Redo any part as many times as you like.
- Good to know: You can watch without an account. A free account (with an email) saves your progress. A big “donate” box may pop up. You can close it. Giving money is never required.
Math Antics Friendly, clear videos that explain basic math with simple drawings. Good if you learn best by watching.
- Cost: The videos are free to watch.
- Who can use it: Anyone.
- How to start: Go to the website. Pick a topic like “Arithmetic” or “Fractions” and play the first video.
- Good to know: Some printable worksheets cost money. You don’t need them.
Practice with money
Section titled “Practice with money”Math is Fun — Money Master A practice game where you count bills and coins and make change. You can try it many times, alone, before doing it at a real store.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Anyone.
- How to start: Open the page. Pick US Dollars. Drag money on and off the counter.
- Good to know: No account needed. The site has ads. Don’t click them.
Find a free class or tutor near you
Section titled “Find a free class or tutor near you”National Literacy Directory A free phone line and website that find adult classes near you, including math.
- Cost: Free to call or search. Many classes are free or low-cost. Ask before you sign up.
- Who can use it: Any adult in the US.
- How to start: Call 1-877-389-6874. You can say, “I’m an adult. I want help with basic math. My zip code is ___.”
- Good to know: No ID needed to call. The line is open 24 hours a day.
If you only do one thing first
Section titled “If you only do one thing first”Open Money Master and practice making change for a few minutes. Try paying for a $3.50 item with a $5 bill, and count back what you’d get. Small, real practice like this builds confidence fast. Mistakes here cost nothing.
Watch out for
Section titled “Watch out for”- Fake diplomas. Websites that sell a high school diploma or “instant GED” are scams. Real ones need a real test. See the FTC’s warning signs.
- Fake checks for “tutoring.” A stranger sends you a check for too much money. Then they ask you to send some back. The check will bounce, and you will owe the bank. Never send money back from a check a stranger gave you. The FTC explains fake check scams.
- “Pay us a share of your future paycheck.” Some schools offer deals where you pay them part of your pay for years. These can be costly and hard to get out of. Start with free adult classes first.
- Subscriptions that are hard to cancel. Some homework and learning apps make quitting very hard. Before you give a card number, find out how to cancel. The tools on this page don’t need one.