Table of Contents

Each chapter concludes with a Summary, Research Questions, a Practice Test, and Answers.
1. PROBLEM SOLVING.
Inductive Reasoning. Estimation: A Problem Solving Tool. Graph Interpretation: A Problem-Solving Tool.
2. SETS.
Sets: A Problem-Solving Tool. Set Operations. Venn Diagrams. The Number of Elements in a Set: A Problem-Solving Tool. Infinite Sets.
3. LOGIC.
Statements. Truth Tables: A Problem-Solving Tool. The Conditional and the Biconditional. Variations of the Conditional and Implications. Euler Diagrams: A Problem-Solving Tool. Truth Tables and Validity Arguments. Switching Networks: A Problem-Solving Tool.
4. NUMERATION SYSTEMS.
Egyptian, Babylonian, and Roman Numeration Systems. The Hindu-Arabic (Decimal) System. Number Systems with Bases Other Than 10. Binary Arithmetic. Octal and Hexadecimal Arithmetic.
5. NUMBER THEORY AND THE REAL NUMBERS.
Number Theory: Primes and Composites. Whole Numbers, Integers, and Order of Operations. The Rational Numbers. Decimals, Scientific Notation, and Significant Digits. Rationals as Decimals: Percents. Real Numbers, Square Roots, and Decimal Representation. Radicals. Number Sequences.
6. EQUATIONS, INEQUALITIES, AND PROBLEM SOLVING.
Solutions of First-Degree Sentences. Graphs of Algebraic Sentences. Sentences Involving Absolute Values. Quadratic Equations. Modeling and Problem Solving. Ratio, Proportion, and Variation.
7. FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS.
Graphing Relations and Functions. Linear Functions, Relations, and Applications. Slopes and Equations of a Line. Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Two Linear Equations in Two Variables. Linear Inequalities. Linear Programming.
8. GEOMETRY.
Points, Lines, Planes, and Angles. Triangles and Other Polygons. Perimeter and Circumference. Area Measure and the Pythagorean Theorem. Volume and Surface Area. Networks, Non-Euclidean Geometry, and Topology. Right Triangle Trigonometry. Chaos and Fractals.
9. MATHEMATICAL SYSTEMS AND MATRICES.
Matrix Operations. Solving Systems of Linear Equations with Matrices. Clock and Modular Arithmetic. Abstract Mathematical Systems: Groups and Fields. Game Theory.
10. COUNTING TECHNIQUES.
The Sequential Counting Principle (SCP): A Problem-Solving Tool. Permutations. Combinations. Miscellaneous Counting Methods.
11. PROBABILITY.
Sample Spaces and Probability. Counting Techniques and Probability. Computation of Probability. Conditional Probability. Independent Events. Odds and Mathematical Expectation.
12. STATISTICS.
Sampling and Frequency Distribution. Measures of Central Tendency: The Mean, Median, and Mode. Measures of Depression: The Range and Standard Deviation. The Normal Distribution: A Problem Solving Tool. Statistical Graphs: A Problem-Solving Tool. Making Predictions: Linear Regression. Scattergrams and Correlation.
13. YOUR MONEY AND YOUR MATH.
Interest, Taxes, and Discounts. Credit Cards and Consumer Credit. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and the Rules of 78. Buying a House. Investing in Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds.
14. VOTING AND APPORTIONMENT. (Online Only)
Voting Systems. Voting Objections. Apportionment Methods. Apportionment Objections.
15. GRAPH THEORY. (Online Only)
Introduction to Graph Theory. Euler Paths and Euler Circuits. Hamilton Paths and Hamilton Circuits. Trees.
APPENDIX: THE METRIC SYSTEM. (Online Only)
A.1 Metric Units of Measurement. A.2 Convert If You Must.

About the Author

Ignacio Bello attended the University of South Florida (USF), where he earned a B.A. and M.A. in Mathematics. He began teaching at USF in 1967, and in 1971 he became a member of the faculty and Coordinator of the Math and Sciences Department ay Hillsborough Community College (HCC). Professor Bello instituted the USF/HCC remedial program, which started with 17 students taking Intermediate Algebra and grew to more than 800 students with courses covering Developmental English, Reading, and Mathematics.
In addition to Topics in Contemporary Mathematics, Professor Bello has written many other books that span the mathematics curriculum, many of which have been translated to Spanish. Professor Bello is featured in three television programs on the award-winning Education Channel. He helped create and develop the USF Mathematics department website, which serves as support for the Finite Math, College Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Introductory Algebra, and CLAST classes at USF.
Professor Bello is a member of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC). He has given many presentations regarding the teaching of mathematics at the local, state, and national levels.

Reviews

1. Introduction to Cognitive Psychology. 2. Cognition and the Brain: Basic Principles. 3. Perception. 4. Attention. 5. Short-Term and Working Memory. 6. Long-Term Memory: Basic Principles. 7. Everyday Memory and Memory Errors. 8. Knowledge. 9. Visual Imagery. 10. Language. 11. Problem Solving. 12. Reasoning and Decision Making.