Topics in Contemporary Mathematics [Hardcover]

Ignacio Bello (Author), Jack R. Britton (Author), Anton Kaul (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0618775242 | ISBN-13: 978-0618775248 | Publication Date: January 2, 2007 | Edition: 9

Written for the Math for Liberal Arts course, Topics in Contemporary Mathematics helps students see math at work in the world by presenting problem solving in purposeful and meaningful contexts. Many of the problems in the text demonstrate how math relates to subjects--such as sociology, psychology, business, and technology--that generally interest students.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Each chapter concludes with a Summary, Research Questions, a Practice Test, and Answers. 1. PROBLEM SOLVING. Inductive Reasoning. Estimation: A Problem Solving Tool. Graph Interpretation: A Problem-Solving Tool. 2. SETS. Sets: A Problem-Solving Tool. Set Operations. Venn Diagrams. The Number of Elements in a Set: A Problem-Solving Tool. Infinite Sets. 3. LOGIC. Statements. Truth Tables: A Problem-Solving Tool. The Conditional and the Biconditional. Variations of the Conditional and Implications. Euler Diagrams: A Problem-Solving Tool. Truth Tables and Validity Arguments. Switching Networks: A Problem-Solving Tool. 4. NUMERATION SYSTEMS. Egyptian, Babylonian, and Roman Numeration Systems. The Hindu-Arabic (Decimal) System. Number Systems with Bases Other Than 10. Binary Arithmetic. Octal and Hexadecimal Arithmetic. 5. NUMBER THEORY AND THE REAL NUMBERS. Number Theory: Primes and Composites. Whole Numbers, Integers, and Order of Operations. The Rational Numbers. Decimals, Scientific Notation, and Significant Digits. Rationals as Decimals: Percents. Real Numbers, Square Roots, and Decimal Representation. Radicals. Number Sequences. 6. EQUATIONS, INEQUALITIES, AND PROBLEM SOLVING. Solutions of First-Degree Sentences. Graphs of Algebraic Sentences. Sentences Involving Absolute Values. Quadratic Equations. Modeling and Problem Solving. Ratio, Proportion, and Variation. 7. FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS. Graphing Relations and Functions. Linear Functions, Relations, and Applications. Slopes and Equations of a Line. Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Two Linear Equations in Two Variables. Linear Inequalities. Linear Programming. 8. GEOMETRY. Points, Lines, Planes, and Angles. Triangles and Other Polygons. Perimeter and Circumference. Area Measure and the Pythagorean Theorem. Volume and Surface Area. Networks, Non-Euclidean Geometry, and Topology. Right Triangle Trigonometry. Chaos and Fractals. 9. MATHEMATICAL SYSTEMS AND MATRICES. Matrix Operations. Solving Systems of Linear Equations with Matrices. Clock and Modular Arithmetic. Abstract Mathematical Systems: Groups and Fields. Game Theory. 10. COUNTING TECHNIQUES. The Sequential Counting Principle (SCP): A Problem-Solving Tool. Permutations. Combinations. Miscellaneous Counting Methods. 11. PROBABILITY. Sample Spaces and Probability. Counting Techniques and Probability. Computation of Probability. Conditional Probability. Independent Events. Odds and Mathematical Expectation. 12. STATISTICS. Sampling and Frequency Distribution. Measures of Central Tendency: The Mean, Median, and Mode. Measures of Depression: The Range and Standard Deviation. The Normal Distribution: A Problem Solving Tool. Statistical Graphs: A Problem-Solving Tool. Making Predictions: Linear Regression. Scattergrams and Correlation. 13. YOUR MONEY AND YOUR MATH. Interest, Taxes, and Discounts. Credit Cards and Consumer Credit. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and the Rules of 78. Buying a House. Investing in Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds. 14. VOTING AND APPORTIONMENT. (Online Only) Voting Systems. Voting Objections. Apportionment Methods. Apportionment Objections. 15. GRAPH THEORY. (Online Only) Introduction to Graph Theory. Euler Paths and Euler Circuits. Hamilton Paths and Hamilton Circuits. Trees. APPENDIX: THE METRIC SYSTEM. (Online Only) A.1 Metric Units of Measurement. A.2 Convert If You Must. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 945 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 9 edition (January 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618775242
• ISBN-13: 978-0618775248
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good general perspective on freshmen math topics, March 4, 2009

By 

Angela "math book critic" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Topics in Contemporary Mathematics (Hardcover)

This book is a great guide for freshmen taking a liberal arts math course. There are many examples of applications and lots of practice problems.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, December 9, 2008

By 

Vincent M. Schill "The_Saved" (Toccoa Falls College) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Topics in Contemporary Mathematics (Hardcover)

This book has helped me out a lot. I learned a lot with this book. I'm glad my teacher taught with it.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy it unless you have to..., June 27, 2008

By 

K. Gilligan "grad student & literature lover" (Haddon Heights, NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Topics in Contemporary Mathematics (Hardcover)

I don't know if this is the case with every textbook (I certainly don't remember it being so), but this book made it hard to understand the formulas. It also would have been handy to have examples that made sense.... Many of the graphs and charts were outdated, and there were even several errors in the text. One was even in the first chapter. Not a book I'd recommend getting unless required to.

Additionally, you do not need to buy the solutions manual that they try to tell you is important. (Bello, Topics In Contemporary Math Student Solutions Manual 9e) It doesn't have anything that the back of the textbook doesn't. All it does is give you the answers for the odd numbered questions!! Trust me, you don't need it!