Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning / Edition 1

by Richard N. Aufmann, Joanne Lockwood, Richard D. Nation, Daniel K. Clegg

Overview

Designed for the non-traditional Liberal Arts course, Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning focuses on practical topics that students need to learn in order to be better quantitative thinkers and decision-makers. The author team's approach emphasizes collaborative learning and critical thinking while presenting problem solving in purposeful and meaningful contexts. While this text is more concise than the author team's Mathematical Excursions (© 2007), it contains many of the same features and learning techniques, such as the proven Aufmann Interactive Method. An extensive technology package provides instructors and students with a comprehensive set of support tools.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780618777372
Publisher:	Cengage Learning
Publication date:	01/12/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	832
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Richard Aufmann is the lead author of two bestselling developmental math series and a bestselling college algebra and trigonometry series, as well as several derivative math texts. He received a BA in mathematics from the University of California, Irvine, and an MA in mathematics from California State University, Long Beach. Mr. Aufmann taught math, computer science, and physics at Palomar College in California, where he was on the faculty for 28 years. His textbooks are highly recognized and respected among college mathematics professors. Today, Mr. Aufmann's professional interests include quantitative literacy, the developmental math curriculum, and the impact of technology on curriculum development.

Joanne Lockwood received a BA in English Literature from St. Lawrence University and both an MBA and a BA in mathematics from Plymouth State University. Ms. Lockwood taught at Plymouth State University and Nashua Community College in New Hampshire, and has over 20 years' experience teaching mathematics at the high school and college level. Ms. Lockwood has co-authored two bestselling developmental math series, as well as numerous derivative math texts and ancillaries. Ms. Lockwood's primary interest today is helping developmental math students overcome their challenges in learning math.

Richard Nation received a B.A. in mathematics from Morningside College and a M.S. degree in mathematics from the University of South Dakota. Mr. Nation also attended a National Science Foundation academic year institute in mathematics at San Diego State University. Mr. Nation taught math at Palomar College in California, where he was on the faculty for 20 years. He has over 38 years' experience teaching mathematics at the high school and college levels. He is the co-author of several Aufmann titles. Today, Mr. Nation's professional interests include the impact of technology on curriculum development and on the teaching of mathematics at the precalculus level.

Daniel Clegg received his B.A. in Mathematics from California State University, Fullerton and his M.A. in Mathematics from UCLA. He is currently a professor of mathematics at Palomar College near San Diego, California, where he has taught for more than 20 years. In addition to writing with the Aufmann team, he co-authored "Brief Applied Calculus" with James Stewart. He has also assisted James Stewart with various aspects of his calculus texts and ancillaries for almost 20 years.

Table of Contents

1. Problem Solving 1.1 Inductive and Deductive Reasoning 1.2 Problem-Solving Strategies 1.3 Problem Solving Using Sets 2. Logic and its Applications 2.1 Logic Statements and Quantifiers 2.2 Truth Tables and Applications 2.3 The Conditional and Related Statements 2.4 Arguments 2.5 Euler Diagrams 3. Algebraic Models 3.1 First-Degree Equations and Formulas 3.2 Rate, Ratio, and Proportion 3.3 Percent 3.4 Direct and Inverse Variation 4. Measurement and Geometric Models 4.1 The Metric System 4.2 The U.S. Customary System 4.3 Basic Concepts of Euclidean Geometry 4.4 Perimeter and Area of Plane Figures 4.5 Properties of Triangles 4.6 Volume and Surface Area 4.7 Introduction to Trigonometry 5. Linear Models 5.1 Rectangular Coordinates and Functions 5.2 Properties of Linear Functions 5.3 Finding Linear Models 5.4 Linear Regression and Correlation 6. Nonlinear Models 6.1 Introduction to Nonlinear Functions 6.2 Exponential Functions 6.3 Logarithmic Functions 7. The Mathematics of Finance 7.1 Simple Interest 7.2 Compound Interest 7.3 Credit Cards and Consumer Loans 7.4 Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds 7.5 Home Ownership 8. Probability and Statistics 8.1 Counting Methods 8.2 Introduction to Probability 8.3 Measures of Central Tendency 8.4 Measures of Dispersion 8.5 Measures of Relative Position 8.6 Normal Distributions 8.7 Inferential Statistics 9. Apportionment and Voting 9.1 Introduction to Apportionment 9.2 Introduction to Voting 9.3 Weighted Voting Systems 10. The Mathematics of Graphs 10.1 Traveling Roads and Visiting Cities 10.2 Efficient Routes 10.3 Map Coloring and Graphs Web Appendix: Algebra Review (Available only online at this textbook's Online Study Center)