Mathematics Books

Algebra is a system of mathematical symbols and rules that are universally understood, no matter what the spoken language. Algebra provides a clear, methodical process that can be followed from beginning to end to solve complex problems. There's no doubt that algebra can be easy to some while extremely challenging to others. For those of you who are challenged by working with numbers, Algebra For Dummies can provide the help you need.

This easy-to-understand reference not only explains algebra in terms you can understand, but it also gives you the necessary tools to solve complex problems. But rest assured, this book is not about memorizing a bunch of meaningless steps; you find out the whys behind algebra to increase your understanding of how algebra works.

In Algebra For Dummies, you'll discover the following topics and more:

• All about numbers - rational and irrational, variables, and positive and negative
• Figuring out fractions and decimals
• Explaining exponents and radicals
• Solving linear and quadratic equations
• Understanding formulas and solving story problems
• Having fun with graphs
• Top Ten lists on common algebraic errors, factoring tips, and divisibility rules.

No matter if you're 16 years old or 60 years old; no matter if you're learning algebra for the first time or need a quick refresher course; no matter if you're cramming for an algebra test, helping your kid with his or her homework, or coming up with next year's company budget, Algebra For Dummies can give you the tools you need to succeed.

With the same design and feature sets as the market leading Precalculus, 7/e, this new addition to the Larson/Hostetler Precalculus series provides both students and instructors with sound, consistently structured explanations of the mathematical concepts. Designed for a two-term course, this text contains the features that have made Precalculus a complete solution for both students and instructors: interesting applications, cutting-edge design, and innovative technology combined with an abundance of carefully written exercises. In addition to a brief algebra review and the core precalculus topics, Precalculus with Limits covers analytic geometry in three dimensions and introduces concepts covered in calculus.

• Side-by-side Example Solutions for select examples include multiple problem solving approaches-such as algebraic, graphical, and numerical-to appeal to a variety of teaching and learning styles.
• Checkpoints after each Example/Solution refer students to similar drills in the Section Exercises, allowing students to practice and reinforce the concepts they just learned. Answers to Checkpoints are included at the back of the book.
• New! Vocabulary Checks open every set of Section Exercises. This review of mathematical terms, formulas, and theorems provides regular assessment and reinforcement of students' understanding of algebraic language and concepts.
• Exercise Sets have been carefully analyzed and revised to improve the categorization of problems from basic skill-building to challenging; improve the pairing of similar odd- and even-numbered exercises; update all real data; and add real-life and real-data applications.
• New! Make a Decision applications-presented throughout the text at the end of selected exercise sets-are based on large sets of real data. These extended modeling applications give students the opportunity to use all the mathematical concepts and techniques they've learned and apply them to large sets of real date-analyzing it, graphing it, and making conjectures about its behavior. These applications are featured in Eduspace and the Online Learning Center in an interactive format.
• Eduspace, powered by Blackboard, Houghton Mifflin's online learning environment, brings your students quality online homework, tutorials, multimedia, and testing that correspond to the Precalculus with Limits text. This content is paired with the recognized course management tools of Blackboard.

Well, the good news is that you can master calculus. It's not nearly as tough as its mystique would lead you to think. Much of calculus is really just very advanced algebra, geometry, and trig. It builds upon and is a logical extension of those subjects. If you can do algebra, geometry, and trig, you can do calculus.

Calculus For Dummies is intended for three groups of readers:

• Students taking their first calculus course - If you're enrolled in a calculus course and you find your textbook less than crystal clear, this is the book for you. It covers the most important topics in the first year of calculus: differentiation, integration, and infinite series.
• Students who need to brush up on their calculus to prepare for other studies - If you've had elementary calculus, but it's been a couple of years and you want to review the concepts to prepare for, say, some graduate program, Calculus For Dummies will give you a thorough, no-nonsense refresher course.
• Adults of all ages who'd like a good introduction to the subject - Non-student readers will find the book's exposition clear and accessible. Calculus For Dummies takes calculus out of the ivory tower and brings it down to earth.

This is a user-friendly math book. Whenever possible, the author explains the calculus concepts by showing you connections between the calculus ideas and easier ideas from algebra and geometry. Then, you'll see how the calculus concepts work in concrete examples. All explanations are in plain English, not math-speak. Calculus For Dummies covers the following topics and more:

• Real-world examples of calculus
• The two big ideas of calculus: differentiation and integration
• Why calculus works
• Pre-algebra and algebra review
• Common functions and their graphs
• Limits and continuity
• Integration and approximating area
• Sequences and series

Don't buy the misconception. Sure calculus is difficult - but it's manageable, doable. You made it through algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Well, calculus just picks up where they leave off - it's simply the next step in a logical progression.

This edition of Finite Mathematics with Applications continues to be an excellent learning tool for applied mathematics students. As always, the text includes the popular margin exercises as well as comprehensive review of algebraic topics, but with this revision comes the fresh insight of a new co-author. This new edition is all that you need and more.

Presenting probability in a natural way, this book uses interesting, carefully selected instructive examples that explain the theory, definitions, theorems, and methodology. Fundamentals of Probability has been adopted by the American Actuarial Society as one of its main references for the mathematical foundations of actuarial science. Topics include: axioms of probability; combinatorial methods; conditional probability and independence; distribution functions and discrete random variables; special discrete distributions; continuous random variables; special continuous distributions; bivariate distributions; multivariate distributions; sums of independent random variables and limit theorems; stochastic processes; and simulation. For anyone employed in the actuarial division of insurance companies and banks, electrical engineers, financial consultants, and industrial engineers.

This valuable study guide provides a modern introduction to linear algebra for people studying or practicing in any of the varied fields of mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, economics, statistics and engineering. The hundreds of problems solved step-by-step illustrate and reinforce key points. And 390 additional problems help students review the information in each chapter and consolidate their knowledge.

Ideal for the single-variable, one-, or two-semester calculus course, Calculus of a Single Variable, 8/e, contains the first 9 chapters of Calculus, 8/e. The text continues to offer instructors and students new and innovative teaching and learning resources. The Calculus series was the first to use computer-generated graphics (Third Edition), to include exercises involving the use of computers and graphing calculators (Fourth Edition), to be available in an interactive CD-ROM format (Fifth Edition), to be offered as a complete, online calculus course (Sixth Edition), and to offer a two-semester Calculus I with Precalculus text. Every edition of the book has made the mastery of traditional calculus skills a priority, while embracing the best features of new technology and, when appropriate, calculus reform ideas. Now, the Eighth Edition is the first calculus program to offer algorithmic homework and testing created in Maple so that answers can be evaluated with complete mathematical accuracy.

Two primary objectives guided the authors in writing this book: to develop precise, readable materials for students that clearly define and demonstrate concepts and rules of calculus; and to design comprehensive teaching resources for instructors that employ proven pedagogical techniques and saves the instructor time. The Eighth Edition continues to provide an evolving range of conceptual, technological, and creative tools that enable instructors to teach the way they want to teach and students to learn they way they learn best. The Larson program offers a variety of options to address the needs of any calculus course and any level of calculus student, enabling the greatest number of students to succeed.

• The explanations, theorems, and definitions have been thoroughly and critically reviewed. When necessary, changes have been made to ensure that the text is pedagogically sound, mathematically precise, and comprehensible.
• The exercise sets have been carefully and extensively examined to ensure they cover all calculus topics appropriately. Many new exercises have been added at the suggestion of a number of calculus instructors.
• A variety of exercise types are included in each exercise set. Questions involving skills, writing, critical thinking, problem-solving, applications, and real-data applications are included throughout the text. Exercises are presented in a variety of question formats, including matching, free response, true/false, modeling, and fill-in the blank.
• The Eduspace online resources have been integrated into a comprehensive learning system that combines numerous dynamic calculus resources with online homework and testing materials.
• The Integrated Learning System addresses the changing needs of today's instructors and students. Recognizing that the calculus course is presented in a variety of teaching and learning environments, the program resources are available in print, CD-ROM, and online formats.
• Eduspace, powered by Blackboard provides instructors with online courses and content in multiple disciplines. By pairing the widely recognized tools of Blackboard with quality, text-specific content from Houghton Mifflin (HMCo), Eduspace makes it easy for instructors to create all or part of a course online. Homework exercises, quizzes, tests, tutorials, and supplemental study materials all come ready-to-use. Instructors can choose to use the content as is, modify it, or even add their own. Eduspace with eSolutions combines all the features of Eduspace with an electronic version of the textbook exercises and the complete solutions to the odd-numbered text exercises, providing students with a convenient and comprehensive way to do homework and view the course materials.
• SMARTHINKING online tutoring brings students real-time, online tutorial support when they need it most.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to complex variable theory and its applications to current engineering problems and is designed to make the fundamentals of the subject more easily accessible to readers who have little inclination to wade through the rigors of the axiomatic approach. Modeled after standard calculus books--both in level of exposition and layout--it incorporates physical applications throughout, so that the mathematical methodology appears less sterile to engineers. It makes frequent use of analogies from elementary calculus or algebra to introduce complex concepts, includes fully worked examples, and provides a dual heuristic/analytic discussion of all topics. A downloadable MATLAB toolbox--a state-of-the-art computer aid--is available. Complex Numbers. Analytic Functions. Elementary Functions. Complex Integration. Series Representations for Analytic Functions. Residue Theory. Conformal Mapping. The Transforms of Applied Mathematics. MATLAB ToolBox for Visualization of Conformal Maps. Numerical Construction of Conformal Maps. Table of Conformal Mappings. Features coverage of Julia Sets; modern exposition of the use of complex numbers in linear analysis (e.g., AC circuits, kinematics, signal processing); applications of complex algebra in celestial mechanics and gear kinematics; and an introduction to Cauchy integrals and the Sokhotskyi-Plemeij formulas. For mathematicians and engineers interested in Complex Analysis and Mathematical Physics.

This market-leading text continues to provide students and instructors with sound, consistently structured explanations of the mathematical concepts. Designed for a two-term course, the new Seventh Edition retains the features that have made Algebra and Trigonometry a complete solution for both students and instructors: interesting applications, cutting-edge design, and innovative technology combined with an abundance of carefully written exercises.

• New! Side-by-side Example Solutions for select examples include multiple problem solving approaches-such as algebraic, graphical, and numerical-to appeal to a variety of teaching and learning styles.
• New! Checkpoints after each Example/Solution refer students to similar drills in the Section Exercises, allowing students to practice and reinforce the concepts they just learned. Answers to Checkpoints are included at the back of the book.
• New! Vocabulary Checks open every set of Section Exercises. This review of mathematical terms, formulas, and theorems provides regular assessment and reinforcement of students' understanding of algebraic language and concepts.
• Exercise Sets have been carefully analyzed and revised to improve the categorization of problems from basic skill-building to challenging; improve the pairing of similar odd- and even-numbered exercises; update all real data; and add real-life and real-data applications.
• New! Make a Decision applications-presented throughout the text at the end of selected exercise sets-are based on large sets of real data. These extended modeling applications give students the opportunity to use all the mathematical concepts and techniques they've learned and apply them to large sets of real date-analyzing it, graphing it, and making conjectures about its behavior. These applications are featured in Eduspace and the Online Learning Center in an interactive format.Eduspace, powered by Blackboard, Houghton Mifflin's online learning environment, brings your students quality online homework, tutorials, multimedia, and testing that correspond to the College Algebra text. This content is paired with the recognized course management tools of Blackboard.
• For copyright 2007, two titles have been added to the Precalculus Series: Precalculus with Limits and Precalculus: A Concise Course. These titles enhance the scope of the series, making it even more flexible and adaptable to a variety of learning and teaching styles.

A witty assault on lame rhetoric, specious logic, and official BS

Here's a fast-paced, ruthlessly funny romp through the mulligan stew of illogic, unreason, and just plain drivel served up daily in the media by pundits, psychics, ad agencies, New Age gurus, statisticians, free trade ideologues, business "thinkers," and, of course, politicians. Award-winning young philosopher Jamie Whyte applies his laser-like wit to dozens of timely examples in order to deconstruct the rhetoric and cut through the haze of shibboleth and doubletalk to get at the real issues.

A troubleshooting guide to both public and private discourse, Crimes Against Logic:

• Analyzes the 12 major logical fallacies, with examples from the media and everyday life
• Takes no prisoners as it goes up against the scientific, religious, academic, and political establishments
• Helps you fine-tune your critical faculties and learn to skewer debaters on their own phony logic

Statistics For Dummies is for everyone who wants to sort through and evaluate the incredible amount of statistical information that comes to them on a daily basis. (You know the stuff: charts, graphs, tables, as well as headlines that talk about the results of the latest poll, survey, experiment, or other scientific study.) This book arms you with the ability to decipher and make important decisions about statistical results, being ever aware of the ways in which people can mislead you with statistics. Get the inside scoop on number-crunching nuances, plus insight into how you can

• Determine the odds
• Calculate a standard score
• Find the margin of error
• Recognize the impact of polls
• Establish criteria for a good survey
• Make informed decisions about experiments

This down-to-earth reference is chock-full of real examples from real sources that are relevant to your everyday life: from the latest medical breakthroughs, crime studies, and population trends to surveys on Internet dating, cell phone use, and the worst cars of the millennium. Statistics For Dummies departs from traditional statistics texts, references, supplement books, and study guides in the following ways:

• Practical and intuitive explanations of statistical concepts, ideas, techniques, formulas, and calculations.
• Clear and concise step-by-step procedures that intuitively explain how to work through statistics problems.
• Upfront and honest answers to your questions like, "What does this really mean?" and "When and how I will ever use this?"

Chances are, Statistics For Dummies will be your No. 1 resource for discovering how numerical data figures into your corner of the universe.

• Clear, accessible, step-by-step explanations make the material crystal clear.
• The authors spotlight the relationships between concepts to give a unified and complete picture.
• Established the intricate thread of relationships between systems of equations, matrices, determinants, vectors, linear transformations and eigenvalues.

Solutions to all odd-numbered text exercises in Chapters P-10.

No matter how it’s calculated, more students, combined with greater difficulty, equates to big demand for help with advanced algebra. The percentage of high school graduates who have taken Algebra II has more than doubled in the last two decades. Algebra II is a prerequisite to trigonometry and calculus–both required for careers in science, math, and business. There is also an increased emphasis on algebra and advanced algebra in standardized tests such as the all-important ACT and SAT.

This book picks up where Algebra For Dummies, America’s top-selling algebra title, leaves off. It emphasizes the meaning and use of linear and quadratic equations; polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions; and irrational and complex numbers. In addition, it covers in-depth graphing and inequalities and introduces probability, statistics, sequences, and series. Perfect for students and others who want to go beyond the basics of algebra, this guide does it all in the friendly, unintimidating For Dummies style with easy-to-understand, step-by-step examples and explanations.

Mary Jane Sterling (Peoria, IL), author of Algebra For Dummies (0-7645-5325-9), Trigonometry For Dummies (0-7645-6903-1), Algebra Workbook For Dummies (0-7645-8467-7), and Trigonometry Workbook For Dummies (0-7645-8781-1), is a lecturer in mathematics at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where she teaches courses in algebra and calculus. She has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher of higher mathematics.

Solved Problem Series

These books help readers review and master what they've learned by showing them how to solve thousands of relevant problems. Perfect for preparing for graduate or professional exams, these detailed reminders of problem-solving techniques show readers the best strategies for answering even the toughest questions, including the types that appear on typical tests.

Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: Discovery and Visualization, Third Edition, employs graphing technology as an integral part of a discovery-based learning approach. This edition offers expanded coverage of both modeling and data analysis. Developed for a one- or two-semester combined algebra course, this text thoughtfully incorporates the NCTM and AMATYC standards, while its multiple approaches, based on the Rule of Four, accommodate a variety of learning styles and ensure that students learn to solve problems and apply mathematical concepts across disciplines.

Ideal for middle school as well as functional and applied high school mathematics courses, this fully revised Second Edition of a bestseller–with over 40,000 copies sold–includes 60 project-based activities. New sections address technology-based applications and e-learning, standards and testing preparation, reading and literacy, guidelines and objectives for group and team-building projects, innovative teaching suggestions with activities, exercises, and standards-based objectives, and more.

Judith A. Muschla (East Brunswick, NJ) has taught for over 25 years and was named 2002 South River Public School District Teacher of the Year. Gary Robert Muschla (East Brunswick, NJ) has taught for more than 25 years. They are the authors of The Math Teacher’s Book of Lists, Second Edition (0-7879-7398-X) and many other books from Jossey-Bass.