Finite Math and Applied Calculus

Full of relevant, diverse, and current real-world applications, Stefan Waner and Steven Costenoble's FINITE MATHEMATICS AND APPLIED CALCULUS, Sixth Edition helps you relate to mathematics. A large number of the applications are based on real, referenced data from business, economics, the life sciences, and the social sciences. Thorough, clearly delineated spreadsheet and TI Graphing Calculator instruction appears throughout the book. Acclaimed for its readability and supported by the authors' popular website, this book will help you grasp and understand mathematics--whatever your learning style may be. Available with InfoTrac Student Collections http: //gocengage.com/infotrac.

About the Author :
Stefan Waner and Steven R. Costenoble both received their Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, having studied several years apart with the same advisor, J. Peter May. Their paths merged when Steven joined Stefan at Hofstra University in 1987; since then they have coauthored 18 research papers as well as a research-level monograph in algebraic topology. By the early 1990s they had become dissatisfied with many of the Finite Mathematics and Applied Calculus textbooks. They wanted textbooks that were more readable and relevant to students' interests, containing examples and exercises that were interesting, and reflected the interactive approaches and techniques they found worked well with their own students. It therefore seemed natural to extend their research collaboration to a joint textbook writing project that expressed these ideals. To this day, they continue to work together on their textbook projects, their research in algebraic topology, and their teaching. Stefan Waner and Steven R. Costenoble both received their Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, having studied several years apart with the same advisor, J. Peter May. Their paths merged when Steven joined Stefan at Hofstra University in 1987; since then they have coauthored 18 research papers as well as a research-level monograph in algebraic topology. By the early 1990s they had become dissatisfied with many of the Finite Mathematics and Applied Calculus textbooks. They wanted textbooks that were more readable and relevant to students' interests, containing examples and exercises that were interesting, and reflected the interactive approaches and techniques they found worked well with their own students. It therefore seemed natural to extend their research collaboration to a joint textbook writing project that expressed these ideals. To this day, they continue to work together on their textbook projects, their research in algebraic topology, and their teaching.

Review :
I would describe this as a very approachable book for students. Pairing the combination of the conversational tone, the meaningful problems (Facebook, iPods, etc), along with the interactive tutorials, it is really a book that can provide the students with a meaningful mathematical experience. The text addresses the fundamental concepts found in a traditional Finite Mathematics/Business Calculus book but also contains Microsoft Excel problems and Case Studies not typically found in other textbooks.