Thinking Mathematically

Book excerpt: This general survey of mathematical topics helps a diverse audience, with different backgrounds and career plans, to understand mathematics. Blitzer provides the applications and technology readers need to gain an appreciation of mathematics in everyday life. Demonstrates how mathematics can be applied to readers' lives in interesting, enjoyable, and meaningful ways. Features abundant, step-by-step, annotated Examplesthat provide a problem-solving approach to reach the solution; annotations are conversational in tone, explaining key steps and ideas as the problem is solved. Begins each section with a compelling vignette highlighting an everyday scenario, posing a question about it, and exploring how the chapter section subject can be applied to answer the question. A highly readable reference for anyone who needs to brush up their mathematics skills.