Construction Math Course

Lesson 1 • Using a Construction Calculator

Introduces dedicated construction calculators for feet-inch-fraction entry and built-in trade functions. Bridges manual arithmetic skills to efficient field tool use.

Lesson 2 • Order of Operations

Explains PEMDAS rules and their application in multi-step construction formulas. Prevents calculation errors in complex quantity takeoffs.

Lesson 3 • Fractions for Trade Work

Introduces proper, improper, and mixed fractions common in lumber and pipe sizing. Connects fraction operations to reading tape measures and cut lists.

Lesson 4 • Whole Numbers in Construction

Covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers in site contexts. Establishes the arithmetic base for all subsequent measurement work.

Lesson 1 • Reading Plans and Scales

Explains architectural and engineering scale notation and how to extract real dimensions from drawings. Connects measurement skills to blueprint interpretation.

Lesson 2 • Imperial Measurement System

Covers inches, feet, yards, and miles with their relationships and common construction applications. Provides the unit framework used in most domestic trade work.

Lesson 3 • Unit Conversion Techniques

Teaches dimensional analysis and conversion factor methods for switching between imperial and metric. Eliminates unit mismatch errors in mixed-specification projects.

Lesson 4 • Metric Measurement System

Introduces millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers as used in international and engineered drawings. Prepares students for metric-specified project documents.

Lesson 1 • Circles and Curved Shapes

Introduces radius, diameter, circumference, and arc length for circular construction elements. Supports layout of curved walls, columns, and pipe runs.

Lesson 2 • Triangles and the Pythagorean Theorem

Covers triangle classification, interior angle sums, and the Pythagorean theorem for right triangles. Directly supports squaring foundations and calculating rafter lengths.

Lesson 3 • Lines, Angles, and Relationships

Defines parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines and classifies angles by type. Establishes geometric vocabulary needed for layout and framing tasks.

Lesson 4 • Geometric Layout Techniques

Applies geometric principles to field layout using string lines, batter boards, and measuring tools. Bridges classroom geometry to accurate on-site construction layout.

Lesson 1 • Volume of Common Shapes

Applies volume formulas for prisms, cylinders, cones, and spheres to concrete and excavation work. Provides the calculation foundation for ordering bulk materials.

Lesson 2 • Material Quantity Takeoffs

Integrates area and volume calculations into structured takeoff sheets for concrete, fill, and finishes. Produces job-ready quantity estimates with waste and overage factors applied.

Lesson 3 • Surface Area of 3D Objects

Calculates surface area of prisms, cylinders, and pyramids for siding, insulation, and formwork. Extends 2D area skills to three-dimensional construction elements.

Lesson 4 • Irregular Area Calculation

Teaches decomposition of complex floor plans into simple shapes and the offset method for curved boundaries. Enables accurate takeoffs for non-standard room layouts.

Lesson 1 • Ratios in Construction Mixes

Defines ratios and applies them to concrete, mortar, and grout mix proportions by weight and volume. Ensures consistent mix quality through accurate ratio interpretation.

Lesson 2 • Slope, Grade, and Pitch

Calculates slope as rise-over-run for roofs, ramps, drainage, and roads using ratio and percentage formats. Connects proportion skills to grading and drainage design requirements.

Lesson 3 • Solving Proportions

Teaches cross-multiplication and unit-rate methods for solving unknown quantities in proportional relationships. Supports material scaling and drawing dimension extraction.

Lesson 4 • Scale Drawings and Models

Uses proportional reasoning to create and interpret scale drawings and physical models. Reinforces plan-reading accuracy and supports shop drawing verification.

Lesson 1 • Solving One- and Two-Step Equations

Teaches inverse operations to isolate unknowns in one- and two-step equations. Applies directly to solving for missing dimensions, quantities, and material needs.

Lesson 2 • Rearranging Construction Formulas

Demonstrates algebraic manipulation to isolate any variable in multi-variable trade formulas. Enables flexible use of area, volume, and load formulas regardless of which value is unknown.

Lesson 3 • Applying Formulas to Trade Problems

Uses standard construction formulas for board feet, concrete volume, and beam span in structured problem sets. Reinforces formula selection and unit consistency in applied contexts.

Lesson 4 • Variables and Expressions

Introduces variables, constants, and algebraic expressions as shorthand for construction quantities. Builds the symbolic reasoning needed to work with trade formulas.

Lesson 1 • Solving for Unknown Angles

Applies inverse trig functions to find unknown angles from known side lengths. Supports bevel angle setting, stair angle calculation, and slope verification.

Lesson 2 • Solving for Unknown Sides

Uses trig ratios to find missing side lengths when one side and one angle are known. Applied to rafter run, rise, and length calculations in roof framing.

Lesson 3 • Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Ratios

Defines the three primary trigonometric ratios relative to a reference angle and teaches SOH-CAH-TOA. Provides the calculation tools for finding unknown sides and angles.

Lesson 4 • Trig Applications in Roof and Stair Layout

Integrates trig skills into complete rafter layout, hip and valley calculations, and stair stringer design. Produces dimensioned layout solutions for real framing scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Cost Estimation and Bid Pricing

Combines material quantities and labor hours with unit costs to build a complete project cost estimate. Applies markup, overhead, and profit percentage calculations to produce a bid price.

Lesson 2 • Lumber and Framing Takeoffs

Calculates board feet, linear feet, and piece counts for wall, floor, and roof framing systems. Applies area and ratio skills to generate complete framing material lists.

Lesson 3 • Estimate Review and Error Checking

Teaches systematic review techniques to catch arithmetic errors, unit mismatches, and omissions in estimates. Builds professional quality-control habits that protect project profitability.

Lesson 4 • Roofing and Siding Quantities

Calculates roof area using pitch factor and slope multiplier, then converts to squares for material ordering. Applies surface area skills to siding, sheathing, and underlayment takeoffs.

Lesson 5 • Labor Hour Estimation

Uses production rates and unit labor hours to estimate crew hours for common construction tasks. Connects math skills to scheduling and workforce planning.