The advent of the present war and its consequent demand for greatly accelerated production of the materials of peace and war has forcefully redirected many elements of the thinking of the American people. The highly technical character of the warfare and the complicated structure of the implements used have combined to create an urgent, if not emergency, demand for speedy, thorough, and widespread training in the fundamental mathematics which is basic in the construction and use of practically every tool of modern warfare. Young men entering any branch of armed service find that mastery of some mathematics is absolutely necessary for any work that is given them, and their usefulness in the service is directly proportional to the extent of their skill in the use of mathematics. Men and women with employment in the war industries are likewise confronted with the necessity of using this subject, at least through trigonometry, in almost any task that is assigned to them. Boys and girls looking to service either in the war industries or with the armed forces are advised that any proper preparation for such service must include mastery of as many basic mathematical skills as possible.