Applied Calculus for Business, Life, and Social Sciences 2E is the perfect book for students who need to satisfy a one-semester calculus requirement for their degree in business or one of the social sciences. Students will leave class with confidence in their skills and a greater understanding of how calculus is used to model real-world situations. 

Every section has been written so that it can be discussed in a single class session. A clean layout and conversational style are used by the author to make it easy for students to read. Important information, such as definitions and properties, is also highlighted so that it can easily be located and referenced by students. In addition, the following features provide both instructors and students a vast array of resources that can be used to enrich the learning environment and promote student success.

What, Why, Where Each chapter begins with a What, Why, Where feature that enhances a student’s understanding of why the concepts are essential and how to use them by creating engagement. The “What” part tells you the idea, so you get the basics. The “Why” part explains why it matters in the real world, making it easier to see its relevance. Lastly, the “Where” part shows you where you can use these ideas, clearly showing how to apply them. This feature imparts knowledge and empowers students to connect theoretical understanding with practical implementation, fostering a more comprehensive and applicable grasp of quantitative concepts.

Modeling Applications We have emphasized real-life modeling throughout this text. When you see this leaf icon next to an example or problem in this chapter, you will know that we are using the topics in this chapter to model situations in the world around us to help students grow their mathematical and problem-solving skills in situations that are relatable and applicable to real life.

Connecting Print and Digital We want students to get the most out of their course materials, which is why we think of the textbook as a “toolbox” for students. QR codes are integrated throughout the textbook, to connect the printed version to the digital assets easily. As students read their printed book, support material is quickly and conveniently available via one scan of the accompanying QR code. We find that this direct link to additional support is a comfortable level of technology for all students taking this course; it integrates technology without being overwhelming.

Spotlight on Success This feature offers students a variety of strategies from many different sources and highlights both the challenges and triumphs common to students taking mathematics courses. Students and instructors share their unique approaches to learning and suggestions for success in a math course. Many of the spotlights feature the same relatable peer tutors that students will see on the MathTV videos that accompany the text.

Definition, Property, and Procedure Boxes Many sections include highlighted boxes that outline important definitions, properties, and procedures used to solve certain types of problems. We have emphasized these segments so that students are aware that they are key concepts. They also help students internalize the particular problem-solving strategy introduced in that section. 

Getting Ready for Class At the end of each section you will find conceptual questions under the heading “Getting Ready for Class.” These open-ended problems encompass the key concepts of the section. Students should be able to articulate the answers to these questions after reading the section or attending class. 

Skills Practice At the beginning of each exercise set, you will find drill problems that allow students to practice the key concepts discussed in the section.

Check Your Understanding You will find this feature in most exercise sets following the introductory skills practice problems. The Check Your Understanding exercises review foundational concepts that students have learned in the current or previous sections and help to strengthen their understanding as they move forward.

Challenging Exercises Students will see a gear icon beside select exercises that indicates where they will use concepts they learned in the section to solve the problem in a more challenging way. We hope these problems will provide students with opportunities to extend their learning and think critically about their work.

Modeling Practice Problems A modeling problem is a real-life situation that students solve using math. The exercises allow students to look at what is happening, choose the important information, write it in a mathematical form like an equation or graph, and use that math to understand the situation or make a prediction. From our experience, we have found that students do better in their math course when they see an application to a real-world problem. 

Using Technology This feature is integrated throughout the text. Using Technology problems offer students opportunities to use technology, such as graphing calculators, Wolfram|Alpha, and QR codes, when applying concepts they have learned to problem solve.

Getting Ready for the Next Section These problems appear at the end of every problem set. They are the exact problems students will see when they read through the next section of the text. Students who consistently work these problems will be much more prepared for class than students who don’t work these problems.

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