Why Math? (Hardcover)

Hardcover. 1 Arithmetic Review.- 1.1 Basis Rules.- 1.2 Division, Fractions, and Exponents.- 1.3 Percentages.- 1.4 Rates.- 2 Prime Numbers and Fractions.- 2.1 Prime Numbers and Factorization.- 2.2 Greatest Common Factor.- 2.3 Rationals and Irrationals.- 3 The Pythagorean Theorem and Square Roots.- 3.1 The Theorem.- 3.2 Square Roots Which Are Irrational.- 3.3 Computation of Square Roots by Successive Approximation.- 4 Elementary Equations.- 4.1 Equations in One Unknown.- 4.2 The Use of Two or More Unknowns.- 4.3 Graphing.- 5 Quadratic Polynomials and Equations.- 5.1 Solution of Quadratic Equations.- 5.2 Applications of Quadratic Equations.- 5.3 Quadratic Polynomials.- 6 Powers and Geometric Sequences.- 6.1 Applications of Powers.- 6.2 More on Half-Lives.- 6.3 Compound Interest and Related Matters.- 6.4 IRAs and Similar Tax Sheltered Accounts.- 6.5 Geometric Series-the "Sum" of a Geometric Sequence.- 7 Areas and Volumes.- 7.1 Areas.- 7.2 Volumes.- 7.3 Surface Area of a Solid (versus Volume).- 7.4 Computation of Cube Roots.- 8 Galilean Relativity.- 8.1 Displacement and Velocity Vectors.- 8.2 Doppler Effect.- 8.3 Components of Vectors.- 9 Special Relativity.- 9.1 Simultaneity and Einstein's Postulate.- 9.2 Time Dilation.- 9.3 Length Contraction.- 10 Binary Arithmetic.- 10.1 Decimal, Binary, and Ternary Representation of Integers.- 10.2 Subtraction and Division in Base Two.- 10.3 Applications.- 11 Sets and Counting.- 11.1 Set Notation.- 11.2 Counting.- 12 Probability.- 12.1 Elementary Ideas and Examples.- 12.2 Mutually Exclusive Events.- 12.3 The Basic Rules.- 12.4 Quality Control (optional).- 12.5 Expectation.- 12.6 Conditional Probability.- 13 Cardinality.- 13.1 Countable Sets.- 13.2 Countably Many Countable Sets.- 13.3 The Reals vs. the Rationals.- Answers to Odd-Numbered Problems. Why Math? is designed for a "general education" mathematics course. It helps develop the basic mathematical literacy now generally demanded of liberal arts students. Requiring only a little background knowledge of algebra and geometry - no more than the minimum entrance requirements at most colleges - the book emphasizes quantitative reasoning and critical thinking for real life problems. In a concrete and relevant way, using extensive motivation from everyday problems, Why Math? shows what one can do with elementary mathematics and how to do it. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.