Mathematics For The Liberal Arts

Presents a clear bridge between mathematics and the liberal arts Mathematics for the Liberal Arts provides a comprehensible and precise introduction to modern mathematics intertwined with the history of mathematical discoveries. The book discusses mathematical ideas in the context of the unfolding story of human thought and highlights the application of mathematics in everyday life. Divided into two parts, Mathematics for the Liberal Arts first traces the history of mathematics from the ancient world to the Middle Ages, then moves on to the Renaissance and finishes with the development of modern mathematics. In the second part, the book explores major topics of calculus and number theory, including problem-solving techniques and real-world applications. This book emphasizes learning through doing, presents a practical approach, and features: A detailed explanation of why mathematical principles are true and how the mathematical processes work Numerous figures and diagrams as well as hundreds of worked examples and exercises, aiding readers to further visualize the presented concepts Various real-world practical applications of mathematics, including error-correcting codes and the space shuttle program Vignette biographies of renowned mathematicians Appendices with solutions to selected exercises and suggestions for further reading Mathematics for the Liberal Arts is an excellent introduction to the history and concepts of mathematics for undergraduate liberal arts students and readers in non-scientific fields wishing to gain a better understanding of mathematics and mathematical problem-solving skills.

This textbook teaches everyday mathematics topics to non-math majors at the undergraduate level. Through numerous examples and more than 600 exercises, students learn how to use math seamlessly in a variety of practical areas, from conversion factors, statistics, visualization, money, and risk to games, art, music, and humor. The text develops a logical, real-world approach to data and reasoning. Real-life stories in each chapter capture students' interest and motivate them to work through the math. Ancillaries are available on the author's website.

Math in Society is a survey of contemporary mathematical topics, appropriate for a college-level topics course for liberal arts major, or as a general quantitative reasoning course.This book is an open textbook; it can be read free online at http://www.opentextbookstore.com/mathinsociety/. Editable versions of the chapters are available as well.

Now in its fifth edition, A Mathematics Sampler presents mathematics as both science and art, focusing on the historical role of mathematics in our culture. It uses selected topics from modern mathematics—including computers, perfect numbers, and four-dimensional geometry—to exemplify the distinctive features of mathematics as an intellectual endeavor, a problem-solving tool, and a way of thinking about the rapidly changing world in which we live. A Mathematics Sampler also includes unique LINK sections throughout the book, each of which connects mathematical concepts with areas of interest throughout the humanities. The original course on which this text is based was cited as an innovative approach to liberal arts mathematics in Lynne Cheney's report, "50 HOURS: A Core Curriculum for College Students", published by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Presenting mathematics as forming a natural bridge between the humanities and the sciences, this book makes calculus accessible to those in the liberal arts. Much of the necessary geometry and algebra are exposed through historical development, and a section on the development of calculus offers insights into the place of mathematics in the history of thought.

When Are We Ever Going to Use This Stuff? College Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Major is a college level mathematics textbook designed with liberal arts majors in mind. Standard mathematics texts typically mimic the style and tone of those written for STEM-track students. This text, while rigorous enough to ensure a high level of mastery over the material, uses practical, entertaining topics presented in a readable, student-centered style to teach mathematics concepts and skills for the non-major. When Are We Ever Going to Use This Stuff? emphasizes practical application over symbolic manipulation across several different topics that are ideal for the liberal arts major. Students learn where, when, why, and how the math will help them in their lives. The subject matter includes consumer math, apportionment, statistics, probability, set theory, geometry, right triangle trigonometry, and voting techniques, with the history of mathematics as a consistent motivational thread throughout. Concepts are taught within familiar contexts, with a focus on the development of problem-solving skills. When Are We Ever Going to Use This Stuff? is a fresh, student-friendly offering for lower-division courses that meet the math requirement for liberal arts students. Jim Matovina earned his M.S. in mathematics and a post-baccalaureate certificate in statistics at Purdue University Calumet. Professor Matovina teaches at the College of Southern Nevada, where he has also served as chair of the math department, as well as the department's webmaster. Ronald Yates earned his M.S. in mathematics at Montana State University and holds an M.Ed. in higher education leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is a professor of mathematics at the College of Southern Nevada, where he has served as the department's webmaster and parliamentarian.