About This Book
Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters is a specialized educational textbook and training guide — currently in its 8th edition, authored by Lee Smith — designed to teach the practical mathematical skills required in the plumbing and pipefitting trades.
Core Mathematical Concepts
- Arithmetic & Fractions: Adding, subtracting, and converting fractional measurements (such as 3/8" or 5/16") to decimals for precise cutting.
- Geometry & Trigonometry: Applying angles, circles, and the Pythagorean theorem to calculate pipe offsets, rolling offsets, and proper slopes.
- Algebra: Working with formulas related to water pressure, pipe stress, and flow rates.
On-the-Job Applications
- Pipe Length Calculations: Accounting for fitting allowances, threading, and center-to-end dimensions.
- Volumes & Capacities: Determining tank capacities, pipe storage limits, and drainage system loads.
- Pressures & Physics: Computing hydrostatic pressure, head pressure, and thermal expansion in heating systems.
- Builder's Level & Elevation: Reading grades, leveling over long distances, and planning construction layouts.
Practice Tests Using This Book
This book is required or recommended for 11 licensing exams. We've written 431 practice questions directly from this material, each one citing the chapter and section it comes from.