Using and Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, 5th Edition

Using and Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, Fifth Edition increases readers’ mathematical literacy so that they better understand the mathematics used in their daily lives, and can use math effectively to make better decisions every day. Contents are organized with that in mind, with engaging coverage in sections like Taking Control of Your Finances, Dividing the Political Pie, and a full chapter about Mathematics and the Arts.

Preface

Prologue: Literacy for the Modern World

 

Part 1 Logic and Problem Solving

Chapter 1 Thinking Critically

1A Recognizing Fallacies

1B Propositions and Truth Values

1C Sets and Venn Diagrams

1D Analyzing Arguments

1E Critical Thinking in Everyday Life

 

Chapter 2 Approaches to Problem Solving

2A The Problem-Solving Power of Units

2B Standardized Units: More Problem-Solving Power

2C Problem-Solving Guidelines and Hints

 

Part 2 Quantitative Information in Everyday Life

Chapter 3 Numbers in the Real World

3A Uses and Abuses of Percentages

3B Putting Numbers in Perspective

3C Dealing with Uncertainty

3D Index Numbers: The CPI and Beyond

3E How Numbers Deceive: Polygraphs, Mammograms, and More

 

Chapter 4 Managing Money

4A Taking Control of Your Finances

4B The Power of Compounding

4C Savings Plans and Investments

4D Loan Payments, Credit Cards, and Mortgages

4E Income Taxes

4F Understanding the Federal Budget

 

Part 3 Probability and Statistics

Chapter 5 Statistical Reasoning

5A Fundamentals of Statistics

5B Should You Believe a Statistical Study?

5C Statistical Tables and Graphs

5D Graphics in the Media

5E Correlation and Causality

 

Chapter 6 Putting Statistics to Work

6A Characterizing Data

6B Measures of Variation

6C The Normal Distribution

6D Statistical Inference

 

Chapter 7 Probability: Living with the Odds

7A Fundamentals of Probability

7B Combining Probabilities

7C The Law of Large Numbers

7D Assessing Risk

7E Counting and Probability

 

Part 4 Modeling

Chapter 8 Exponential Astonishment

8A Growth: Linear versus Exponential

8B Doubling Time and Half-Life

8C Real Population Growth

8D Logarithmic Scales: Earthquakes, Sounds, and Acids

 

Chapter 9 Modeling Our World

9A Functions: The Building Blocks of Mathematical Models

9B Linear Modeling

9C Exponential Modeling

 

Chapter 10 Modeling with Geometry

10A Fundamentals of Geometry

10B Problem Solving with Geometry

10C Fractal Geometry

 

Part 5 Further Applications

Chapter 11 Mathematics and the Arts

11A Mathematics and Music

11B Perspective and Symmetry

11C Proportion and the Golden Ratio

 

Chapter 12 Mathematics and Politics

12A Voting: Does the Majority Always Rule?

12B Theory of Voting

12C Apportionment: The House of Representatives and Beyond

12D Dividing the Political Pie

 

Credits

Answers

Index