FEATURES

Here are a few features of Math for Business and Life that we think students and instructors will like:

• Chapter Opener. Each chapter starts with an illustration (with the same fun little guy - see sample chapter) and a paragraph or two that shows the big picture. This combination is designed to alleviate math anxiety and get students going in the right direction.
• Learning Objectives. Learning objectives are shown on the first page of each chapter and are referenced throughout the chapter.
• Photos. Each chapter has real-life photos to reinforce concepts and to heighten students interest.
• Business Articles and Ads. The text includes lots of real articles and ads that make the subject more relevant.
• How-To Boxes. These include easy-to-follow steps or guidelines.
• Examples. Each chapter contains lots of numbered examples, with step-by-step solutions that match the how-to boxes.
  
• Tip Boxes. These provide shortcuts, memory aids, mistakes to avoid, and real-world suggestions. Students love the Tip Boxes.
• Word Problem Guide. Some students don’t know where to start when confronted with a word problem. So, for many of the word problems in the early chapters, a blueprint aid is used like a map — to get from Point A (the question) to Point B (the answer).
  
• U-Try-It Exercises. Each chapter is divided into units. Each unit covers a key concept or small group of concepts. Units end with a few problems for students to try on their own; these provide immediate feedback on whether the stuff in that unit has sunk in. Answers are shown; step-by-step solutions are given in Appendix A.
• Time-Value-of-Money Solutions. Time-value-of-money problems include solutions using (1) compound interest formulas, (2) compound interest tables, (3) financial calculators, and (4) Excel. This innovative approach allows instructors to use their method(s) of choice. Our website includes an operating time-value-of-money calculator. To see how it works, click here. We also have a calculator loaner program.
• Chapter in a Nutshell. This is a short reference guide that summarizes the Chapter. Each learning objective is shown, together with examples.
  
• Critical Thinking Questions. These questions are designed to provoke thought and to help students see the big picture.
  
• Chapter Review Problems. Review problems at the end of each chapter provide a chance to apply the principles of the chapter. The problems are separated by unit , so if a certain unit is skipped you don't have to figure out which problems to skip. Each set of Chapter Review Problems ends with a set of Challenge Problems. Answers to all problems are in Appendix B; step-by-step solutions are on our website (free of charge).
  
• Practice Test. Each chapter includes a practice test, giving students the chance to take a test before the real one in class. Answers are in Appendix B; step-by-step solutions are on our website (free of charge).
  
• Fun Corner. This appears on the last page of each chapter and has tidbits of fun, related stuff. Includes articles from Dave Barry, Dear Abby, and Ann Landers. It is designed to help make business math more fun.
  
• Homework Problems. These problems appear at the end of the text (in Appendix F) and mirror the Chapter Review Problems. So if a student is having trouble with a certain problem, he or she can refer to the corresponding Chapter Review Problem. The assignments include an answer template. A template with answers is included in the Instructor's Resource Manual, making grading of homework a piece of cake. The Instructor's Resource Manual also includes step-by-step solutions to the homework assignments.
• Collaborative Learning Activities. These activities, in Appendix C, are designed to provide the opportunity to apply concepts in the real world and to meet business people who use the concepts each day in their work.
  
• Web. Our web site contains step-by-step solutions to Chapter Review Problems and Practice Tests, a Student Tutorial, an online calculator, and other material useful for the course.
  
• Solutions Manual. This is a printed version of step-by-step solutions, available through most college bookstores. If your bookstore does not have any, you can get one by clicking here.