Universal Mathematics 8 and 9 was written so that any one reading the book would understand the materials. The book should be used in conjunction with your regular text book. The use of counters, grids, arrows etc are not used to explain integers, fractions, decimals, percent etc as in my experience in teaching mathematics for the last ten years, students find these methods difficult to understand. The topics in the book are explained in a few easily understood pages without the use of the above mentioned methods. A better approach is used to explain equations. For example the use of opposite operators when moving across the equal sign is explained. A number of word problems involving mixtures, speed, interest, numbers, ages etc are worked out which makes the learning process easier. Grades 8 and 9 are combined into one book as any one starting grade 9 would need the materials covered in grade 8 to better understand grade 9. Chapters one to nine are grade 8 and the rest are grade 9. Some of the topics covered are integers, fractions, decimals, percent, rates. ratios, measurements. equations. probabilities, transformations, exponents, bedmas, polynomials, solving word problems with equations. This book will really help you understand mathematics.