Applied Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving, 1st edition

This text provides a one-semester alternative to the traditional two-semester developmental algebra sequence for non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students. This new approach offers an accelerated pathway to college readiness through developmental math, preparing non-STEM students to move directly into liberal arts math or introductory statistics, while also preparing STEM students for intermediate algebra.

Active Learning for Active Students

Applied Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving allows students to discover mathematical concepts through activities and applications that build their mathematical literacy and critical thinking skills. Different from most math books, this text teaches through activities–encouraging students to learn by constructing, reflecting on, and applying the mathematical concepts. The activities illustrate the mathematical topics as they arise in real-life contexts, increasing student engagement and problem-solving skills to accelerate them into a non-STEM credit-bearing math course.

Also available with MyMathLab^®

MyMathLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed to work with this text to engage students and improve results. Within its structured environment, students practice what they learn, test their understanding, and pursue a personalized study plan that helps them absorb course material and understand difficult concepts.

• Activity-based learning allows students to take an active role in their learning. By giving students the math they encountered in high school or in previous courses, but in a new and meaningful context, this text encourages student engagement and allows for a higher level of conceptual learning, while providing a solid foundation of mathematical skills.

• To complete an activity, students write directly in their books, answering questions, completing tables, and manipulating real information to develop mathematical understanding.
• The variety of activities within each chapter allows instructors to customize the text to fit the needs and interests of their students.

• Project Activities in each chapterprovide intriguing, real-data applications that help students integrate and apply the mathematical concepts they have learned, and solidify their comprehension of the material in class. They go beyond pen and paper, also requiring measurement and data collection, to give students the opportunity to explore particular skills and concepts they have learned in greater depth, either independently or in groups

• Summary Boxes of the main concepts appear at the end of each activity to help students recognize and connect critical topics and concepts.

• Review exercises offer ample opportunity for students to tie the concepts together and apply what they have learned.

• Skills Check exercises occur periodically throughout the text to provide ample practice with basic skills.
• What Have I Learned? problems at the end of each cluster require students to pull together the topics they’ve learned and reflect on recently presented concepts. This feature also prepares students for upcoming material by helping them develop a strong foundation.
• How Can I Practice? exercises at the end of each cluster are an important self-assessment tool. They show students how to apply recently covered concepts and give students a chance to practice key skills, bridging the gap between abstraction, skills, and application.
• Gateway Review exercises conclude each chapter. These exercises help students assess their understanding of the chapter concepts and then synthesize those concepts with material from previous chapters

Also available with MyMathLab^®

MyMathLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed to work with this text to engage students and improve results. Within its structured environment, students practice what they learn, test their understanding, and pursue a personalized study plan that helps them absorb course material and understand difficult concepts.

• Fully HTML5-compatible eText, media, and exercises are device-aware and can now be used on mobile devices.
• The video program provides:
• A conceptual overview of many topics to help answer the question “how will I ever use this material?”
• A walkthrough of lessons and examples at the learning outcome level.
• MyMathLab provides Learning Catalytics–an interactive, student response tool that uses students’ smartphones, tablets, or laptops to engage them in more sophisticated tasks and thinking. Instructors, you can:
• Pose a variety of open-ended questions that help your students develop critical thinking skills
• Monitor responses to find out where students are struggling
• Use real-time data to adjust your instructional strategy and try other ways of engaging your students during class
• Manage student interactions by automatically grouping students for discussion, teamwork, and peer-to-peer learning
• Learning Catalytics contains Pearson-created content for developmental math that allows you to take advantage of this exciting technology immediately.