In writing this seventh edition of Fundamentals of Mathematics, I have tried to reflect the changing approach to teaching liberal arts mathematics courses. The student population of colleges has changed significantly; there is a greater diversity of students enrolled in the typical liberal arts mathematics course. Today, such a course may enroll students ranging from recent high school graduates to mature students with a wide variety of mathematical backgrounds. Ability, interest, and motivation vary greatly among these students, and many of them suffer from "math anxiety." As a result, the course content has become more diversified.

The only prerequisites for this text are a desire to learn and a working knowledge of arithmetic. Typically, the prerequisite for colleges offering this course is one unit of high school mathematics. The approach is intuitive. This text contains an abundance of completely worked-out examples with systematic step-by-step solutions; there are no gaps or "magic" solutions. I have found that this type of experience provides the student with confidence and competence when doing homework or exam problems. Previous editions of this text have been described as "user friendly" by students.

IN THE SEVENTH EDITION

The elements of the previous editions that proved successful remain in this edition. Nevertheless, many changes, some obvious, others subtle, have been made. Virtually every change is the result of thoughtful comments and suggestions from colleagues and students who have used previous editions. As a result of that input, for which I am sincerely grateful, this edition is an improved teaching device for professors and a better learning tool for students.

Revised / Reorganized / New Material

Problem Solving. A new chapter, "Fundamentals of Problem Solving," introduces several problem solving strategies, including Polya's four steps. This chapter explains problem solving by means of a systematic approach in an effort to "connect" patterns of everyday life and mathematics.

An Introduction to the Metric System. Has been moved to chapter 13 in the text.

An Introduction to Algebra. The chapter has been revised, expanded, and split into two complete chapters on algebra. Designed for optimum flexibility, professors can choose the coverage of algebra that best suits their courses.

Consumer Mathematics. This chapter has been expanded to provide more in-depth coverage of consumer credit, i.e., installment buying, finance charges and the true annual interest rate.

An Introduction to Computers. Same level of coverage as previous editions, this chapter has been moved into the appendices for your students' reference.

Please refer to the overview located after remarks in "To the Student."

Functional Use of Colors. An improvement that is obvious to this edition is the use of color throughout the text. The new design uses color effectively and functionally to help students. Included in the Student's Preface is an overview of how color is used to identify pedagogical aids throughout the text. Many new illustrations have been included to provide a dynamic realism to selected examples and exercises. All line art has been computer generated for consistency and accuracy. Containing well over 800 illustrations and photos, my goal is to help students visualize mathematics and use that visualization in solving mathematical problems.

Examples. In addition to the solid traditional examples used in earlier editions, I have added many new fully worked out examples (now totaling over 600) into the text.

Collaborative Projects. In each chapter, a full page is devoted to collaborative learning. These "Team Work" exercises were written by Hester Lewellen, one of the co-authors of the University of Chicago High School Mathematics Project. These multi-tasked projects will get your students together and have them problem solve in a cooperative manner. All of the projects require critical thinking and communication.

Exercises. Roughly twenty-five percent of the exercises have been updated and revised since the last edition. To further encourage students to become active participants, each exercise set concludes with a "Just for Fun" problem. These problems range from serious extensions of mathematical ideas in the text to light-hearted puzzles and "brain teasers." They have been chosen primarily to capture student interest. Users of previous editions have been well pleased with the results.

Answers to the exercises appear in the back of the text for all the odd-numbered problems. Fully worked out solutions for the odd-numbered problems are found in the Student's Study Guide and Solutions Manual, and the even answers are located in the Instructor's Resource and Solutions Manual.

Florida Version / CLAST Materials

In the Florida Version of this text, CLAST materials for each chapter may be found at the end of the text. These materials include review exercises and a sample test for the CLAST objectives found in each chapter. Exercises and testing material were written and developed by professors at Miami­Dade Community College, Palm Beach Community College, and Broward Community College.