Why Math? (Undergraduate Texts in Mathematics)

the long version

Why Math? is designed for a "general education" mathematics course. It helps develop the basic mathematical literacy now generally demanded of liberal arts students. Requiring only a little background knowledge of algebra and geometry - no more than the minimum entrance requirements at most colleges - the book emphasizes quantitative reasoning and critical thinking for real life problems. In a concrete and relevant way, using extensive motivation from everyday problems, Why Math? shows what one can do with elementary mathematics and how to do it.