This book begins by explaining fundamental math concepts such as the use of powers and different place-value number systems (specifically binary, decimal, and hexadecimal). The book then introduces the concepts of computers and calculators. Next, the book discusses fundamental concepts like the stack and the use of subroutines. Readers then use what they have learned to create a set of basic math subroutines for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Finally, these routines are gathered together into a framework program that the authors use to implement a simple four-function calculator.

The authors also plan to maintain a website with different examples of the various routines discussed in the book. This will update users on the most current routines and expose them to other possible variations.

Also of interest (for a teaching audience/environment) is that the CD accompanying the book contains a set of PowerPoint slides (one per chapter/lab/appendix) with all of the figures from the book. Also, each of the interactive labs is provided as a PDF file on the CD-ROM so lecturers can print them out and use them as handouts.