This text, modern in its writing style as well as in its applications, contains numerous exercises?both skill oriented and applications?, real data problems, and a problem solving method. Its exercises are based on data from the World Wide Web, and allow students to see for themselves how mathematics is used in everyday life.

Bill Armstrong. Bill is a native of Ohio and became a hard-core Buckeyes fan after earning both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Mathematics at The Ohio State University.

Bill taught at numerous colleges including Ohio State and Phoenix College, before taking his current position at Lakeland Community College near Cleveland, Ohio. Bill enjoys working with students at all levels and teaches courses ranging from Algebra to Differential Equations. He employs various teaching strategies to interest and motivate students including using humor to lighten the subject matter and inviting comments from students. His enjoyment of teaching and constant interaction with students has earned him a reputation as an innovative, enthusiastic, and effective teacher.

When Bill is not teaching, tutoring during office hours, or writing, he enjoys playing pool and golf, coaching his sons' little league baseball teams, and hanging out at home with his wife... not necessarily in that order!

Don Davis. Also a native of Ohio, Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, specializing in Political Science, Economics, and Mathematics from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. After teaching at the high school level, Don received his Master of Science degree in Mathematics from Ohio University. He taught at Ohio State University - Newark before joining the Lakeland Community College faculty. With his background in Economics, Don is always searching for ways to apply mathematics to the "real world" and to connect mathematical concepts to the various courses his students are taking. By using technology, along with interesting, practical applications, Don brings his many mathematics classes to life for students. Like Bill, one typically finds Don in his office helping students understand the concepts of his courses. His dedication to his students makes him a sought-after teacher.

In his free time, Don is often found playing with his three children or scurrying after one of the many pets currently in residence at his home including a rat, two parakeets, a turtle, a lizard, a dog, and two cats. Occasionally, he enjoys a quiet night at home.