Customer Reviews

Mathematics With Applications: In the Management, Natural, and Social Sciences

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This book is alright. It is outdated though, the book still uses examples from the 90's. Like Profit functions dealing with the sales of VCR's!

I've had the unfortunate fate of being trapped in two courses with Margaret Lial textbooks, first college algebra and now basic calculus. Every section we've used (Chapters 11, 12, 13) comes with a short explanation usually peppered with abstract theory. The example problems presented in the lead-in to the homework provide very little clues toward solving homework problems because many steps are taken for granted and other problem types are entirely left out. When using the back of the book to check answers, it is just as incomprehensible. Lial will take inconsistent and unconventional algebraic steps towards providing an answer. The answers are still equivalent; however it will usually take the guidance of an instructor and/or tutor to show their equivalence, because many times it is not intuitive. I really can't think of any good aspects of this book, other than for a professor to use to produce a high dropout rate in their class.

This is one of the better math textbooks that I have been assigned. It maximizes the benefits of its pedagogical approach: starting with specific examples, and then outlining--step by step--how the concepts look in general mathematical form. That is, the book builds up to the "abc, xy" forms of algebraic rules in ways that are easy to follow. It effectively demonstrates connections to practical uses with its applications examples, detailing models such as marginal cost, a key idea in microeconomics. The case studies at the end of each chapter are interesting. Mid-chapter practice problems are useful for helping to grasp concepts, if needed.

Some of the examples become repetitive; "plug and chug," as it is said. By the third example of how to use a formula it might be easy to think to oneself, "Let's move on." This book does not present much in proofs, but remember: this is an applications-focused text. I imagine it might be considered a bit simple by engineering or math majors, but this book is doing the job in helping me prepare for my public policy classes, as promised by its subtitle: "In the Management, Natural, and Social Sciences."

The text Mathematics with Applications was one of the worst books I have ever encountered. One of the many problems I experienced when using this text, was the authors inability to give adequate examples of the concepts. The example given in the heading of the sections are not clear, the authors fail to show simple ways to obtain the correct answers. Another weak area in the text was the lack of repetition in each section, ex: sect.14.3 Antiderivatives; the authors will provide problem 1 that requires a certain step to obtain the correct answer (verifiable in the back of the book) Problem #2 the student is left astray, problem #3 will introduce another aspect unlike problem 1 or 2. Learning is developed by practicing a concept on more than one or two problems. By using this text learning the actual concept of calculas throughly will not happen. Calculas is a challenging field and an introductory text should to have an excellent source of examples,clear and concise explanations, and sections with at least 3+ problems with the same concept to assist the new student with practice. This text is also sold with a study guide that is the answer log in the back of the book enlarged and packaged to assist the financial advancement of everyone except for the student. Advice to the buyer, "Don't judge a book by it's cover"

This worthless text, Mathematics with Applications, is certainly the most frustrating book I have ever encountered. In addition, the text is also unclear, and needless to say, unhelpful when it comes to explaining (and understanding) the solutions given for the equation(s). I am very dissatisfied, truly dissapointed, certainly aggravated and furious about this book, the author(s) and the fact that other campuses utilize it. I wish you luck if your class requires you to use this text; perhaps the only thing that could help you through such lesson is an excellent instructor; otherwise, forget about it. This text is not even worth your time, money, effort, and not even a rate of one star.

It was in very good conditions. I payed half the price compared to the school's bookstore.

Pray that you have a good instructor. The only thing I dislike about my instructor is that she picked this book to use!!!!! If you have a good College Algebra book, I suggest you use it for clearer examples. That's the only thing getting me through at the moment. This book as good as sold (to the next sucker) when this class is over!

This was my first time using Amazon, and I am impressed. I ordered the book on 1/19 and received it on 1/22. Just 3 days, and for much cheaper than from my college bookstore. And the book is in mint condition, as if it is brand new. Thanks! I would give it 5 stars, but I have not actually use the book yet, lol. Hope it is good.

this product was speedy and a great buy in general. i highly recommend this seller

The seller delivered the product promptly but cheated by not including the CD, I paid a lot of money only for the CD, he had clearly said that the CD was included in his sale details but later on cheated me, I will never buy from him again