Introductory Mathematics - Softcover

Cook, Nigel P

Softcover

ISBN 10: 013045284X ISBN 13: 9780130452849

Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2003

Best-selling author Nigel Cook's new fourth edition of Introductory Mathematics is a complete “prep-math” book. Clear and easy-to-understand, this book employs an integrated approach, reinforcing all math topics to show the value of math as a tool, enabling readers to retain all information. Beginning with fractions and decimal numbers and proceeding on to build a solid foundation in exponents, the metric system, algebra, trigonometry, logarithms, graphs, and binary math, this easy-to-understand book will give readers the math skills needed for their careers. A valuable reference book for those in the technical trades, including electricians, automotive mechanics, printing employees, landscapers, surveyors, machinists, carpenters, food service employees, manufacturers, welders, plumbers, masons, drafters, and more.

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From the Publisher:

From fractions and decimal numbers to algebra and trigonometry, this bestselling author provides a succinct, complete package for learning introductory mathematics. Cook's text will prove to be not only a fundamental learning tool, but a valuable lifetime resource.

From the Inside Flap:

Preface

At the very heart of science and technology is mathematics, and therefore an understanding of the subject is imperative. This book presents the essentials of mathematics in an interesting and easy-to-understand manner. Your motivation to develop these skills is simple. These days the workforce has a choice for you, high skills or low wages. To advance in any career, you will need a solid foundation in mathematics. Achieving this solid foundation should not be painful or boring. It can, in fact, be interesting and fun, and if approached properly, can encourage a real interest. For example, try the following:

Write the number of the month you were born Multiply this number by 4 Answer = Add 13 to the last answer Answer = Multiply this answer by 25 Answer = Subtract 200 from the last answer Answer = Add the day of the month you were born Answer = Double the last answer Answer = Subtract 40 Answer = Multiply by 50 Answer = Add the last two digits of your birth year Answer = Subtract 10,500 from the last answer Answer = 00/00/00 (Month, Day & Year of your birth)

As you can see from this example, obtaining an answer that matches the month, day, and year you were born seems almost mystical. If you examine the steps involved from start to finish, however, you will see that this trick has a simple, logical explanation.

I hope that this book will take the mystery out of mathematics and encourage a real interest in its many elements. Good luck, and I don't blame you for lying about the year you were born—so did I!

New Features in the Third Edition Text A StudyWizard CD-ROM packaged with this book contains additional mathematical practice problems and a point-by-point summary for each chapter. A companion Website at prenhall/cook has an additional multiple-choice practice problem test bank to help students test their understanding of chapter material. Answers can be submitted electronically to instructors. The section review breaks are now self-test evaluation points, with a list of objectives that should have been met in that section, and a set of questions designed to assess the student's current comprehension. The check-box design invites students to take an active role in noting their understanding of the material. Numerous Mini Math Applications have now been integrated into the material so that students can see the practical purposes of mathematics. Margin definitions highlight key terminology, and all terms are listed alphabetically in Appendix A's Mini Math Dictionary. The appendices contain not only the usual list of answers but also a large amount of reference material as well as a new appendix on Complex Numbers. Extensive end-of-chapter questions test the student's understanding with multiple-choice questions, practice problem questions, communication skill questions, and additional evaluation questions on the StudyWizard CDROM tutorial and the Companion Website. Other Features Traditionally difficult topics have been simplified so that a student does not have to be a mathematician to understand the material covered. Calculator key usage is highlighted by an icon and integrated into the text as appropriate, along with practice examples. Step-by-step procedures are highlighted by an icon, and have been included to help the student master the mechanics of mathematics. Chapter-opening vignettes engage students to read chapter material, and conversational introductions review what has been previously covered and what is about to be covered. A student-friendly writing style coupled with dynamic diagrams enable the student to comfortably master the material. Numerous in-chapter examples test student understanding at each milestone. Accompanying This Text StudyWizard CD-ROM—includes for each chapter a point-by-point summary, practice questions (different from those in the text and Test Item File), and vocabulary practice. A Companion Website located at prenhall/cook includes numerous interactive study questions designed to reinforce the concepts of the book. An Instructor's Resource Manual—including a completely new Test Item File—is available from your local Prentice Hall representative. The test item file includes additional questions that can be used for tests, or to give students additional practice problems. The Instructor's Resource Manual also includes answers to all end-of-chapter questions. Acknowledgments

Thank you to the following reviewers for their valuable suggestions: Dale Blackburn, ECPI College of Technology; Sandra J. Graupmann, ECPI College of Technology; Rebecca 5. Metzger, Ivy Tech State College; L. Eric Barefoot, ECPI College of Technology; Amir Kashkari, Cittone Institute; Leo Majewski, Dunwoody Industrial Institute; Richard Cope, Indiana Vocational Technical College; and Loren Tracey, ECPI Computer Institute.

Last, but not least, I would like to acknowledge all of the innovative, energetic, and motivational instructors who go out of their way to prove that mathematics, science, and technology is within everyone's grasp and can be made easy, interesting, and fun.

Nigel P. Cook

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