Finite Mathematics for Business, Economics, Life Sciences and Social Sciences (12th Edition) (Barnett) [Hardcover]

Raymond A. Barnett (Author), Michael R. Ziegler (Author), Karl E. Byleen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321614011 | ISBN-13: 978-0321614018 | Publication Date: January 14, 2010 | Edition: 12

This accessible text is designed to help readers help themselves to excel. The content is organized into two parts: (1) A Library of Elementary Functions (Chapters 1—2) and (2) Finite Mathematics (Chapters 3—11). The book’s overall approach, refined by the authors’ experience with large sections of college freshmen, addresses the challenges of teaching and learning when readers’ prerequisite knowledge varies greatly. Reader-friendly features such as Matched Problems, Explore & Discuss questions, and Conceptual Insights, together with the motivating and ample applications, make this text a popular choice for today’s students and instructors.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This text covers mathematics of finance, linear algebra, linear programming, probability and descriptive statistics, with an emphasis on cross-discipline principles and practices. Designed to be student friendly and accessible, it develops a thorough, functional understanding of mathematical concepts in preparation for their application in other areas. Coverage concentrates on developing concepts and ideas followed immediately by developing computational skills and problem-solving. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

This book covers mathematics of finance, linear algebra, linear programming, probability, and descriptive statistics, with an emphasis on cross-discipline principles and practices. Designed to be reader-friendly and accessible, it develops a thorough, functional understanding of mathematical concepts in preparation for their application in other areas. Each chapter concentrates on developing concepts and ideas followed immediately by developing computational skills and problem solving. Two-part coverage presents a library of elementary functions and finite mathematics. For individuals looking for a view of mathematical ideas and processes, and an illustration of the relevance of mathematics to the real world. Illustrates relevance of mathematics to the real world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 744 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 12 edition (January 14, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321614011
• ISBN-13: 978-0321614018
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Text!, May 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Finite Mathematics for Business, Economics, Life Sciences and Social Sciences (Hardcover)

I sinmply loved the flow of this text! It mader so much sense to me the way the book went from one concept to the other! Highly recommended if you want to really learn and not "slide" through.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This finite math book really counts!!, May 5, 2003

By 

Whiting John Wicker, Ph.D. (Gaithersburg, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finite Mathematics for Business, Economics, Life Sciences and Social Sciences (Hardcover)

I recommend this book in a heartbeat to anyone taking an introductory college-level mathematics course. I've used this book in courses that I've taught and students love it! Yes, there is a lot of material, but no, who says you have to read every page? It is also a great mathematics refresher! Furthermore, it covers many aspects of the mathematics of finance.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sound choice for a finite math textbook, June 27, 2004

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Finite Mathematics for Business Economics, Life Sciences and Social Sciences (10th Edition) (Hardcover)

This is a very sound choice as a textbook for a course in finite mathematics. The coverage is appropriate, the level suitable for the non-math major, the explanations are excellent and the authors take the title seriously.
The topics are covered in the following order:

* Elementary functions and their graphs.
* The mathematics of finance.
* Matrices and systems of linear equations.
* Linear inequalities and linear programming.
* Logic, set theory and basic counting.
* Probability and probability distributions.
* Basic game and decision theory.
* Markov chains.

There are many exercises and at the end of each section there is a set of basic exercises followed by a collection of applied problems. The set of applied problems is split into three categories: business & economics, life sciences and social sciences. Since finite mathematics is often a preparation for students to work in these fields, this format is what impressed me the most. With all of these "real world" problems to work as part of their study, no student using this book could ever legitimately say that they see no purpose to their studies. Solutions to the odd-numbered problems are included.
I came into contact with this book after my choice of textbook was irrevocable. Had I seen it earlier, it would have been the one I used.