Finite Mathematics by - Edition, from Macmillan Student Store

Finite Mathematics

  Edition© 

About

The steady increase in the number of undergraduate students studying finite mathematics each year is reflective of the rising standards for college students to select a mathematics course relevant to their major and above the intermediate algebra level.

Suitable for a one semester class for first and second year students. Appropriate for both university and community colleges.

Finite Mathematics by Jeffrey X. Watt, Ph.D. was developed to not only help students gain an understanding of the traditional finite topics but also to cultivate the essential problem-solving skills required to transfer that knowledge to applications in every-day life.  The writing style reflects the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) call for reform by placing students in a more active role, engaging them in critical thinking to facilitate the internalization of math concepts as they are developed.  This text has been developed to teach “via” problem-solving versus “for” or “about” problem-solving as an extension exercise.  The content is grounded in real-life applications based on the concept that the curriculum is an excellent general education course for preparing students to become a part of an educated citizenry.  The new edition features an all new color design and layout geared toward optimal instructional efficiency and student comprehension.

Table of Contents

Jeffrey X. Watt, Ph.D.

Jeffrey X. Watt received his Ph. D. in mathematics education from Indiana University in 1990.  His research interests include mathematical problem solving in the finite mathematics curriculum.  Through an NSF grant, Dr. Watt was one of the first educators to develop interactive software for finite mathematics.  Another part of his research focuses on program assessment and curriculum development in mathematics for high schools and college prep programs.

Dr. Watt was invited by the new government of the Republic of South Africa to present a series of workshops and presentations about teaching nontraditional adult students mathematics.  He has received several grants to support his work in this area.  Since 1997, Dr. Watt has been an associate professor and chair for undergraduate mathematics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).  He has taught all of the developmental algebra, finite mathematics, calculus, statistics, logic, and the graduate linear programming courses.  In addition, he teaches the undergraduate and graduate courses in mathematics education.  He is currently the curriculum and instruction coordinator for all of the developmental mathematics courses.  In 2003, Dr. Watt received the highest teaching award in the Indiana University state-wide system, The Herman Liber Memorial Award.  In 2009, the Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of American awarded him the Distinguished University Teaching of Mathematics award, the organization’s highest honor for a math educator.  He is currently the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Outreach for the Purdue School of Science at IUPUI.