Straightforward and engaging, MICROECONOMICS FOR TODAY, 5e uses a unique textual and visual learning system to present, reinforce and test students comprehension while teaching them the basic concepts of economic principles and giving them the context to apply them in their everyday lives. This concise text focuses on core concepts, providing an extremely student friendly text that includes unparalleled pedagogy and teaching support. The new edition also includes CengageNOW, a powerhouse of online resources including custom designed learning paths for each student, lively videos, interactive assessments, testing tools, and much more. Engaging and easy to use, this book's fast-paced, action-packed approach explains all the essential concepts without being encyclopedic as it teaches students to apply basic economic principles to real-world issues.

Featuring accessible language and a highly-visual style, this textbook introduces students to microeconomics. The 17 chapters are culled from a larger textbook, titled Economics for Today. The emphasis throughout is on the application of supply and demand analysis to real-world economic issues. Answers to odd-numbered study questions and problems are given at the back of the volume. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Irvin B. Tucker has over twenty years of experience teaching introductory economics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He earned his B.S. in economics at N. C. State University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Tucker is former Director of the Center for Economic Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and longtime member of the National Council on Economic Education. He is recognized for his ability to relate basic principles to economic issues and public policy. His work has received national recognition by being awarded the Meritorious Leavy Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education, the Federation of Independent Business Award for Postsecondary Educator of the Year in Entrepreneurship and Economic Education, and the Freedom Foundation's George Washington Medal for Excellence in Economic Education. In addition, he has published numerous professional journal articles on a wide range of topics including studies of industrial organization, entrepreneurship, and sports economics. Dr. Tucker is also the author of the highly successful Economics for Today, third edition, a text for the two-semester principles of economics course, published by Thomson Business and Professional Publishing.

Part I: INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS. 1. Introducing the Economic Way of Thinking. Appendix: Applying Graphs to Economics. 2. Production Possibilities, Opportunity Cost, and Economic Growth. Part II: MICROECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS. 3. Market Demand and Supply. Appendix: Consumer Surplus, Producer Surplus, and Market Efficiency. 4. Markets in Action. Appendix: Applying Supply and Demand Analysis to Health Care. 5. Price Elasticity of Demand and Supply. 6. Consumer Choice Theory. Appendix: Indifference Curve Analysis. 7. Production Costs. Part III: MARKET STRUCTURES. 8. Perfect Competition. 9. Monopoly. 10. Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly. 11. Labor Markets. Part IV: MICROECONOMIC POLICY ISSUES. 12. Income Distribution, Poverty, and Discrimination. 13. Antitrust and Regulation. 14. Environmental Economics. Part V: THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY. 15. International Trade and Finance. 16. Economies in Transition. 17. Growth and the Less-Developed Countries. Appendix A: Answers to Odd-Numbered Study Questions and Problems. Appendix B: Answers to Practice Quizzes. Glossary. Index.