The first part of this booklet. How to Construct Graphs by G. E. Shilov, presents simple methods of plotting graphs, first “by points” and then “by operations.”The latter method offers a means of constructing graphs of complicated functions by considering the function as a succession of operations performed on an initial quantity.The second part, Simplest Maxima and Minima Problems by I. P. Natanson, shows how to solve certain maxima and minima problems by algebraic methods. This material is excellent prepa­ration for calculus, in which such problems are treated more gen­erally. (In order to relate this part to the preceding one, several paragraphs and Fig. A and Fig. B, not present in the Russian edi­ tion, have been added.)This booklet can be read by anyone who has studied intermedi­ate algebra.