Topics in Contemporary Mathematics

Topics in Contemporary Mathematics, 8/e, is uniquely designed to help students see math at work in the contemporary world by presenting problem solving in purposeful and meaningful contexts.

• Strong technology focus encourages students to learn and apply their knowledge using the most up-to-date web links maintained by the author on a companion web site. Instructors may also use this site to access PowerPoint slides for convenient class presentations. In addition to these web resources, lecture and practice test videos have been developed to provide extra support and foster confidence outside of the classroom. For those students in Florida, a CLAST Test guide and video are available as well.
• A variety of pedagogical features reinforce ideas and motivate students to learn. Getting Started offers a motivating introduction for the techniques and ideas in each section. Through web references and Web It exercises, students utilize the Internet as an educational and creative tool to study mathematical concepts. Collaborative Learning encourages student interaction as they work together to solve problems. The Graph It feature found in the book margins provides step-by-step directions for solving specific examples using the TI-83 graphing calculator.
• Problem-solving approach throughout the text helps students learn techniques and methods that will benefit them throughout their lives and careers. These special examples use George Polya's problem-solving strategy (RSTUV?Read, Select, Think of a plan, Use the techniques, Verify) and a unique two-column format for describing the general problem-solving method and demonstrating specific uses.
• Eduspace, powered by Blackboard, for the Bello/Britton Topics in Contemporary Math course features algorithmic exercises, test bank content in question pools and video explanations.

Ignacio Bello attended the University of South Florida (USF), where he earned a B.A. and M.A. in Mathematics. He began teaching at USF in 1967, and in 1971 he became a member of the faculty and Coordinator of the Math and Sciences Department ay Hillsborough Community College (HCC). Professor Bello instituted the USF/HCC remedial program, which started with 17 students taking Intermediate Algebra and grew to more than 800 students with courses covering Developmental English, Reading, and Mathematics. In addition to Topics in Contemporary Mathematics, Professor Bello has written many other books that span the mathematics curriculum, many of which have been translated to Spanish. Professor Bello is featured in three television programs on the award-winning Education Channel. He helped create and develop the USF Mathematics department website, which serves as support for the Finite Math, College Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Introductory Algebra, and CLAST classes at USF. Professor Bello is a member of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC). He has given many presentations regarding the teaching of mathematics at the local, state, and national levels.