Synopses & Reviews
The second edition of THE MATHEMATICAL PALETTE makes mathematics enjoyable, relevant, understandable, and informative for liberal arts students. The text stresses learning mathematics through discovery and applications, as a means to learning about mathematical ideas rather than rote memorization, drill, and practice. An emphasis on developing students' problem-solving skills generates a positive attitude towards mathematics and encourages an appreciation of its beauty and power. Changes to this edition emphasize writing and critical thinking skills. The history of mathematicians is presented along with numerous, everyday applications to illustrate the evolution and practicality of math and parallel the creativity of liberal arts majors.
Synopsis
Be successful in math with THE MATHEMATICAL PALETTE! Written with you in mind, the authors make mathematics enjoyable, relevant, understandable, and informative. Visually engaging, the text features full color pictures of fine art to bring mathematical concepts to life. Everyday applications are included to illustrate the evolution and practicality of math and parallel the creativity of liberal arts majors. Prepare for exams with numerous resources located online and throughout the text such as live online tutoring, tutorials, a book companion website, chapter-ending summaries, reviews, tests, and accurate answer sections.
About the Author
Ronald Staszkow was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, graduated from St. Louis High School, received a bachelor?s degree in mathematics from St. Mary?s College in Moraga, CA, and received a master?s degree in math education at the University of California - Santa Barbara. He holds a Certificate in Developmental Education from Appalachian State, NC, and Lifetime California Credentials in Secondary Teaching Community College Teaching, and Community College Supervision.
After 11 years as a mathematics teacher and track/cross country coach at De La Salle High School in Concord, CA, he has been a full time instructor at Ohlone College, Fremont, CA and specializes in developmental mathematics. He designed the Ohlone College Mathematics Learning Center and created the Math for Liberal Arts Students course at Ohlone College.Robert Bradshaw is Professor of Mathematics at Ohlone College.
Table of Contents
1. NUMBERS-OLD AND NEW. Overview. A Short History of Numbers and Numerals. Chapter 1 Projects. Ancient Systems of Numeration. Hindu-Arabic System and Fractions. Numeration Systems with Other Bases. The Numbers of Technology. Types of Numbers. Summary. Review. Test. 2. LOGICAL THINKING. Overview. A Short History of Logic. Chapter Two Projects. Logic, Statements and Definitions. Inductive and Deductive Reasoning. Symbolic Logic and Truth Tables. Logic and Flowcharts. Logic and Puzzles. Chapter Two Summary. Chapter Two Review. Chapter Two Test. 3. SETS AND COUNTING. Overview. A Short History of Sets. Chapter Three Projects. Sets: Finite and Infinite. Set Operations and Venn Diagrams. Applications of Sets. Introduction to Counting. Summary. Review. Test. 4. PROBABILITY. Overview. A Short History of Probability. Chapter Four Projects. Intuitive Concepts of Probability. Calculating Probabilities. Probability and Odds. Probability of Compound Events. Conditional Probability. Expected Value. Summary. Review. Test. 5. STATISTICS AND THE CONSUMER. Overview. A Short History of Statistics. Chapter Five Projects. Arranging Information. Measures of Central Tendency. Measures of Dispersion. The Normal Distribution. Polls and the Margin of Error. Regression and Forecasting. Summary. Review. Test. 6. MODELING WITH ALGEBRA. Overview. A Short History of Algebra. Chapter Six Projects. Linear Models. Quadratic Models. Exponential Models. Logarithmic Models. Summary. Review. Test. 7. GEOMETRY AND ART. Overview. A Short History of Geometry. Chapter Seven Projects. Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry. Perspective. Golden Ratios and Rectangles. Polygons and Stars. Tessellations. Fractals. Summary. Review. Test. 8. TRIGONOMETRY: A DOOR TO THE UNMEASURABLE. Overview. A Short History of Trigonometry. Chapter Eight Projects. Right Triangles, Sine, Cosine, Tangent. Solving Right Triangles. Right Triangle Applications. Laws of Sines and Cosines. Acute Triangle Applications. The Motion of a Projectile. Summary. Review. Test. 9. FINANCE MATTERS. Overview. A Short History of Interest. Projects. Percents. Simple Interest. Compound Interest. Annuities. Loans. Summary. Review. Test. 10. MATH FROM OTHER VISTAS. Overview. Differential Calculus. Integral Calculus. Pascal--Yang Hui Triangle. Voting Systems. Apportionment. Linear Programming.