Finite Mathematics and Applied Calculus [Hardcover]

Geoffrey C. Berresford (Author), Andrew M. Rockett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 061837213X | ISBN-13: 978-0618372133 | Publication Date: February 23, 2004 | Edition: 2

The Second Edition of this engaging text for the two-semester applied calculus and finite mathematics course uses intriguing, real-world applications to capture the interest of business, economics, life, and social science majors. This practical approach to mathematics, along with the integration of graphing calculators and Excel spreadsheet explorations, exposes students to the tools they will encounter in future careers.A wealth of pedagogy includes the following distinctive features: detailed Worked-out Examples with Annotations help students through more challenging concepts; Practice Problems are offered to help students check their understanding of concepts presented in the examples; Section Summaries briefly restate essential formulas and key concepts; Chapter Summary with Hints and Suggestions unify chapter themes, give specific reminders, and reference problems in the review exercises suitable for a practice test; and Cumulative Review Exercises appear at the end of groups of chapters to reinforce previously learned concepts and skills.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Berresford received his Ph.D. from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University and taught at the State University of New York at Purchase before joining the faculty at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University. Besides co-authoring four textbooks with Dr. Rockett, he has published papers in differential equations, linear programming, logic, and probability, and has recieved several teaching awards and the Distinguished Service Award from The Metropolitan New York Section of the Mathematical Association of America.

After completing his Ph.D. at Stony Brook University, Dr. Rockett joined the mathematics faculty at C.W. Post and began his collaborations with Dr. Berresford. His book with Peter Szusz on Â"Continued FractionsÂ" (1992) was hailed by Ivan Niven as Â"an outstanding addition to the literature of mathematics,Â" and he served the Kappa Mu Epsilon mathematics honor society as editor of the mathematics journal Â"The PentagonÂ" from 1989 to 1995. Dr. Rockett serves as a reviewer for several journals including Mathematical Reviews for the American Mathematical Society.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1200 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 2 edition (February 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 061837213X
• ISBN-13: 978-0618372133
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two good books, less than the sum of the parts, October 20, 2005

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Finite Mathematics and Applied Calculus (Hardcover)

While I teach a course in finite mathematics and received this book for consideration as a textbook, I will not be adopting it. The course is finite mathematics only and the calculus portions of the books are unsuitable for the class. My personal opinion is that it is a mistake to combine finite mathematics and calculus into a single class. The two topics are so distinct that melding them in a single class is inappropriate.
The finite mathematics portion of the book takes up the first 523 pages and calculus the remaining 540 pages. The coverage in the finite mathematics section is standard fare and the chapter headings are as follows:

*) Functions
*) Mathematics of finance
*) Systems of equations and matrices
*) Linear programming
*) Statistics
*) Markov chains

The coverage in the applied calculus section is also standard and the chapter headings are as follows:

*) Derivatives and their uses
*) Further applications of derivatives
*) Exponential and logarithmic functions
*) Integration and its applications
*) Integration techniques and differential equations
*) Calculus of several variables

Two additional chapters that are available on the web are:

*) Game theory
*) Logic

I cover logic in my course in finite mathematics, so I strongly disagree with the decision to shunt it off to the web.
The explanations are within the bounds of most students, although it is clear that this is a text for more advanced students as calculus is not a part of finite mathematics. There are plenty of exercises and solutions to the odd numbered exercises are in the back of the book.
In my opinion, it is two books, suitable only for situations where there is a sequence of finite mathematics followed by applied calculus. If only one of the courses is being taught, then the other half of the book is rendered superfluous at best and an expensive hindrance at worst. The cost of textbooks is soaring and there is no reason to force students to purchase more than they really have to.

3.0 out of 5 stars Calculus Textbok, September 9, 2011

By 

Jennifer Reviews - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finite Mathematics and Applied Calculus (Hardcover)

It is a textbook required by my school, (because the dean of the math department wrote the book). I had no choice what book to buy, BUT if I were to buy another book it would be the newer version that I probably would have purchases.

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, September 13, 2009

By 

S. Cheng - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Finite Mathematics and Applied Calculus (Hardcover)

I used this book for two semesters and it was great! The book gives examples and explanations. The best thing is that I can sell it after the year ended! The professors rarely change the books for math, so i was able to sell if for almost what i purchased it for.