Mathematics for Business Decisions con-sists of self-contained electronic texts for a two semester sequence of mathematics courses for undergraduate business majors. Under development since 1998, it has been used by thousands of students, taught by a wide range of instructors, in several institutions. Student teams apply mathemat-ics and computer tools to prepare reports on major, real world business projects.

The e-texts consist of Microsoft Power-Point, Excel, and Word files; supported with anima-tions, streaming video, computer simulations, and internet data.

What do we mean by "major, real world" projects? The mathematics behind two of our four projects, one each in Part 1 and Part 2, won Nobel prizes in economics during the last 10 years!

Each project starts with an introduction to the business topic, followed immediately with pre-liminary reports by student teams. This clearly es-tablishes the need for mathematical assistance with the business decisions. Relevant mathematical and spreadsheet skills are then presented.

At most schools, student homework is pre-pared with appropriate word processing, and pencil and paper or computer tests are given over the math-ematical concepts that have been studied.

After studying each tool, students revisit their project data to see how the new skills contrib-ute toward sound business decisions.

When all of the needed tools have been de-veloped, teams present both oral and written final re-ports. Oral reports are made in the prevailing busi-ness style, using PowerPoint presentations, with links to spreadsheet analyses.

Visit us on line to view streaming video introductions by the authors, samples of student work, and much more.

http://business.math.arizona.edu/MBD/mbd.html© 2003 by the Arizona Board of Regents for The University of Arizona. All rights are reserved

This project was developed at the Uni-versity of Arizona in the Mathematics De-partment and the Eller College of Business and Public Administration, partially supported by a grant from the National Science Founda-tion.

BIDDING ON ANOIL LEASE

1. Mathematical Tools A. Distributions B. Variance C. The Sample Mean D. Normal Distributions E. Hospital Administration Example

2. Computer Tools A. Simulating Normal Random Variables

Part 2

MARKETINGCOMPUTER DRIVES

1. Mathematical Tools A. Demand, Revenue, Cost, and Profit B. Differentiation C. Integration D. Marketing Example

2. Computer Tools A. Graphing Functions B. Trend Lines C. Using Solver

STOCK OPTIONPRICING

1. Mathematical Tools A. Compound Interest B. Probability Distributions C. Random Sampling D. Wholesale Ordering Example

2. Computer Tools A. Histograms B. Simulation

Part 1

LOANWORK OUTS

1. Mathematical Tools A. Basic Probability B. Summation Notation C. Expected Value D. Conditional Probability E. Bayes’ Theorem F. Management Example

2. Computer Tools A. Word Processing Mathematics B. Database Functions and Filtering Data

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What students and teachers say:“I really enjoyed your class. I felt like

I learned so much. It is such a different feeling coming out of Mathematics for Business Decisions than when I finished other math classes. I am really glad that I got the chance to take Mathematics for Business Decisions.”

A student

"Mathematics for Business Decisions' unique blend of communication, quantitative concepts, computer skills, mathematical ideas, and business concepts renders this course sequence a much more interesting educational experience for both myself and my students than any other course that I have ever taught."

A teacher

For Information Contact:

The Mathematical Association of America

1529 Eighteenth Street NWWashington, DC 20036

orRichard B. Thompsonrbt@math.arizona.edu

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