When Are We Ever Going to Use This Stuff?: College Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Major

When Are We Ever Going to Use This Stuff? College Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Major is a college level mathematics textbook designed with liberal arts majors in mind. Standard mathematics texts typically mimic the style and tone of those written for STEM-track students. This text, while rigorous enough to ensure a high level of mastery over the material, uses practical, entertaining topics presented in a readable, student-centered style to teach mathematics concepts and skills for the non-major.

When Are We Ever Going to Use This Stuff? emphasizes practical application over symbolic manipulation across several different topics that are ideal for the liberal arts major. Students learn where, when, why, and how the math will help them in their lives. The subject matter includes consumer math, apportionment, statistics, probability, set theory, geometry, right triangle trigonometry, and voting techniques, with the history of mathematics as a consistent motivational thread throughout. Concepts are taught within familiar contexts, with a focus on the development of problem-solving skills.

When Are We Ever Going to Use This Stuff? is a fresh, student-friendly offering for lower-division courses that meet the math requirement for liberal arts students.

Jim Matovina earned his M.S. in mathematics and a post-baccalaureate certificate in statistics at Purdue University Calumet. Professor Matovina teaches at the College of Southern Nevada, where he has also served as chair of the math department, as well as the department's webmaster.

Ronald Yates earned his M.S. in mathematics at Montana State University and holds an M.Ed. in higher education leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is a professor of mathematics at the College of Southern Nevada, where he has served as the department’s webmaster and parliamentarian.