Math & YOU by Ron Larson - First Edition, 2013 from Macmillan Student Store

Math & YOU

First  Edition©2013  Ron Larson

About

As the world around us changes and information comes at warp speed, it is more important than ever to be quantitatively literate. Yet most U.S. students leave high school with quantitative skills far below what they need and what employers are seeking, and virtually every college finds that many students need remedial mathematics. Based on the latest educational research, Math & YOU helps students develop the quantitative skills needed to be successful in school and the workplace, using real data, problems based on everyday situations, and activities built around topics that are recognizable and relevant. With this approach, students become comfortable with quantitative ideas and proficient in applying them.
 
In addition, to support the printed text, Math & YOU provides an online eBook accompanied by additional teaching aids, all part of a robust companion Web site.
 
Hardcover edition available upon request. Ask your local W.H. Freeman representative.
 
Math & YOU Hallmarks
Confidence with Mathematics.  One of the goals of the Math & YOU program is to help students become comfortable with quantitative ideas and proficient in applying them.  Students routinely quantify, interpret, and check information such as comparing the total compensation of two job offers, or comparing and analyzing a budget 

Cultural Appreciation.  Math & YOU provides examples and exercises that help student to understand the nature of mathematics and its importance for comprehending issues in the public realm. 
 
Logical Thinking.  The Math & YOU program develops habits of inquiry, prepares students to look for appropriate information, and exposes them to arguments so that they can analyze and reason to get at the real issues.
 
Making Decisions.  One of the main threads of the Math & YOU program is to help students develop the habit of using mathematics to make decisions in everyday life.  One of the goals of the text is for students to see that mathematics is a powerful tool for living.
 
Mathematics in Context. The Math & YOU program helps students to learn to use mathematical tools in specific settings where the context provides meaning.
 
Number Sense. The Math & YOU program begins with a chapter that reviews the meaning of numbers, estimation and measuring.  Throughout the rest of the program students develop intuition, confidence, and common sense for employing numbers.
 
Practice Skills.  Throughout the Math & YOU program students encounter quantitative problems that they are likely to encounter at home or work.  This helps students become adept at using elementary mathematics in a wide variety of common situations.

 

 
 

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Mathematics of Calculation
1.1. Order of Operations & Formulas
1.2. Rounding & Calculators
1.3. Using Percent
1.4. Units & Conversions
 
Chapter 2: The Mathematics of Consumption
2.1 Unit Prices
2.2. Markup & Discount
2.3 Consumption Taxes
2.4 Budgeting

Chapter 3: The Mathematics of Logic and the Media
3.1 Sets & Set Diagrams
3.2 Statements & Negations
3.3 Deductive & Inductive Reasoning
3.4 Fallacies in Logic

Chapter 4: The Mathematics of Inflation and Depreciation
4.1 Exponential Growth
4.2 Inflation & the Consumer Price Index
4.3 Exponential Decay
4.4 Depreciation

Chapter 5: The Mathematics of Taxation
5.1 Flat Tax & Political Philosophy
5.2 Graduated Income Tax
5.3 Property Tax
5.4 Social Security & Payroll Taxes

Chapter 6: The Mathematics of Borrowing and Saving
6.1 Introduction to Lending
6.2 Buying Now, Paying Later
6.3 Home Mortgages
6.4 Savings & Retirement Plans

Chapter 7: The Mathematics of Patterns and Nature
7.1 Linear Patterns
7.2 Exponential Patters
7.3 Quadratic Patterns
7.4 Fibonacci & Other Patterns

Chapter 8: The Mathematics of Likelihood
8.1 Assigning a Measure to Likelihood
8.2 Estimating Likelihood
8.3 Expected Value
8.4 Expecting the Unexpected

Chapter 9: The Mathematics of Description
9.1 Information Design
9.2 Describing "Average"
9.3 Describing Dispersion
9.4 Describing by Sampling

Chapter 10: The Mathematics of Fitness and Sports
10.1 Health & Fitness
10.2 Olympic Records & Scoring
10.3 Professional Sports
10.4 Outdoor Sports

Ron Larson

Dr. Ron Larson is Professor of Mathematics at Penn State University at Erie. He received his doctorate in mathematics from the University of Colorado in 1970. Starting with Calculus in 1978, Larson has authored or coauthored over 200 mathematics textbooks and media products, including, in 1998, the first mainstream calculus textbook to go online. In 1983, Larson started his own publishing enterprise devoted to producing student-friendly math textbooks from sixth grade through college level calculus. Larson Texts, Inc., now includes a separate division for online mathematics learning materials, TDLC.COM, as well as Big Ideas Learning, LLC, which focuses on middle school math.