Request full copy

Business Mathematics, 15th edition

Published by Pearson (January 23, 2024) © 2025

  • Gary Clendenen Siena College
  • Kyle Moninger Bowling Green State University

eTextbook

per month

  • Anytime, anywhere learning with the Pearson+ app
  • Easy-to-use search, navigation and notebook
  • Simpler studying with flashcards
$79.99

  • Hardcover, paperback or looseleaf edition
  • Affordable rental option for select titles

MyLab

from$89.99

  • Reach every student with personalized support
  • Customize courses with ease
  • Optimize learning with dynamic study tools

For courses in Business Mathematics.

Relevant issues, real companies, practical business scenarios

Business Mathematics shows students how to use math to solve a wide variety of problems in the business world. It aims to develop students’ understanding of business, increase their ability to work problems, and motivate them using real, relatable business and personal applications. It covers the full spectrum of basic business math, placing every concept in context with relevant examples.

The 15th Edition covers new topics such as student debt and cryptocurrency, extensively updates material on payroll and planning/budgeting, and much more.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Case in Point company profile opens each chapter introducing a company and situation requiring math. Companies include Starbucks, REI, Bank of America and more.
  • 2 case studies per chapter require students to use math concepts to solve business problems in real companies.
    • The first Case Study is a shorter application, while the second Case in Point Summary Exercise revisits the chapter-opening company with a more in-depth application. Both end with Discussion or Investigate questions.
  • Business applications are found in examples, exercises, cases, and discussion as well as Numbers in the News features and news excerpts.
  • A paired Exercise Set follows each section, graded from simple to more complex and concluding with application word problems.
  • Quick-Check problems enable students to immediately apply the concept from a parallel example.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: A new section on Cost of College and Student Debt in Chapter 12 explores a topic that students find very relatable.
  • REVISED: Extensively updated chapter on Payroll (Chapter 6): Graphs and tables include median weekly salaries for 50 different careers/jobs, and how level of education affects both average earnings and likelihood of being unemployed. 
  • REVISED: An updated section on Planning and Budgeting in Chapter 16 reflects higher prices and salaries and illustrates the importance of this topic for individuals, families, and businesses. 
    • Several graphs and charts are used in this chapter; a poorly designed graph is given and discussed; and a discussion of how to create a good graph or chart is included. 
    • The material on graphing can be enhanced using Appendix E (Graphing Equations).
  • NEW: New topics include cryptocurrency, business and personal financial decisions (along with global supply chains, recessions, debt and more) to help students develop business intuition; these are topics frequently covered in advanced courses.

Features of MyLab Math for the 15th Edition

  • NEW: New Integrated Review embeds relevant prerequisite skills, when applicable, in the MyLab course.
    • Students can identify which prerequisite topics they need to review (if any), and receive personalized practice and remediation. This includes new Integrated Review worksheets covering important foundational skills.
  • NEW: Example Videos (approximately 2-3 per section) have been added to the course for quick instruction. Additional Case in Point videos discuss the Case in Point Summary Exercises that use real-life examples to synthesize the concepts of each chapter.
  • NEW: GeoGebra animations allow students to interact with and manipulate the mathematical concepts.
  • REVISED: Learning Catalytics is an interactive student response tool that uses students' mobile devices to gauge class understanding in real time and foster an active learning environment. Premade title-specific questions make it easier to begin using.
  • REVISED: The Financial and Estate Planning worksheet is updated and revised for increased accessibility.

Learning Tips for Students

Business Mathematics Pretest

Index of Applications

1. Whole Numbers and Decimals

  • 1.1 Whole Numbers
  • 1.2 Application Problems
  • 1.3 Decimal Numbers
  • 1.4 Addition and Subtraction of Decimals
  • 1.5 Multiplication and Division of Decimals
  • Chapter 1 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Cost of Getting Married
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Subway
  • Chapter 1 Test

2. Fractions

  • 2.1 Fractions
  • 2.2 Addition and Subtraction of Fractions
  • 2.3 Addition and Subtraction of Mixed Numbers
  • 2.4 Multiplication and Division of Fractions
  • 2.5 Converting Decimals to Fractions and Fractions to Decimals
  • Chapter 2 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Operating Expenses at Woodline Moldings and Trim
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: The Home Depot
  • Chapter 2 Test

3. Percents

  • 3.1 Writing Decimals and Fractions as Percents
  • 3.2 Finding Part
  • 3.3 Finding Base
  • Supplementary Application Exercises on Base and Part
  • 3.4 Finding Rate
  • Supplementary Application Exercises on Base, Rate, and Part
  • 3.5 Increase and Decrease Problems
  • Chapter 3 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Self Employed Retirement Plan
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Century 21
  • Chapter 3 Test

4. Equations and Formulas

  • 4.1 Solving Equations
  • 4.2 Applications of Equations
  • 4.3 Business Formulas
  • 4.4 Ratio and Proportion
  • Chapter 4 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Forecasting Sales at Alcorn's Boutique
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: General Motors
  • Chapter 4 Test
  • Chapters 1 - 4 Cumulative Review

5. Bank Services

  • 5.1 Banking, Checking Accounts, and Check Registers
  • 5.2 Checking Services and Credit-Card Transactions
  • 5.3 Bank Statement Reconciliation
  • Chapter 5 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Banking Activities of a Retailer
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Jackson & Perkins
  • Chapter 5 Test

6. Payroll

  • 6.1 Gross Earnings: Wages and Salaries
  • 6.2 Gross Earnings: Piecework and Commissions
  • 6.3 Social Security, Medicare, and Other Taxes
  • 6.4 Income Tax Withholding
  • Chapter 6 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Payroll: Finding Your Take-Home Pay
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Payroll at Starbucks
  • Chapter 6 Test

7. Mathematics of Buying

  • 7.1 Invoices and Trade Discounts
  • 7.2 Series Discounts and Single Discount Equivalents
  • 7.3 Cash Discounts: Ordinary Dating Methods
  • 7.4 Cash Discounts: Other Dating Methods
  • Chapter 7 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: George Foreman
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Discounts at Bed Bath & Beyond
  • Chapter 7 Test

8. Mathematics of Selling

  • 8.1 Markup on Cost
  • 8.2 Markup on Selling Price
  • Supplementary Application Exercises on Markup
  • 8.3 Markdown
  • 8.4 Turnover and Valuation of Inventory
  • Chapter 8 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Markdown: Reducing Prices to Move Merchandise
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI)
  • Chapter 8 Test
  • Chapters 5 - 8 Cumulative Review

9. Simple Interest

  • 9.1 Basics of Simple Interest
  • 9.2 Finding Principal, Rate, and Time
  • 9.3 Simple Discount Notes
  • 9.4 Discounting a Note Before Maturity
  • Supplementary Application Exercises on Simple Interest and Simple Discount
  • Chapter 9 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Banking in a Global World: How Do Large Banks Make Money?
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Apple, Inc.
  • Chapter 9 Test

10. Compound Interest and Inflation

  • 10.1 Compound Interest
  • 10.2 Interest-Bearing Bank Accounts and Inflation
  • 10.3 Present Value and Future Value
  • Chapter 10 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Valuing a Chain of McDonald's Restaurants
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Bank of America
  • Chapter 10 Test
  • Chapters 9 - 10 Cumulative Review

11. Annuities, Stocks, and Bonds

  • 11.1 Annuities and Retirement Accounts
  • 11.2 Present Value of an Ordinary Annuity
  • 11.3 Sinking Funds (Finding Annuity Payments)
  • Supplementary Application Exercises on Annuities and Sinking Funds
  • 11.4 Stocks, Mutual Funds, and Cryptocurrencies
  • 11.5 Bonds
  • Chapter 11 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Financial Planning
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise
  • Chapter 11 Test

12. Business and Consumer Loans

  • 12.1 Open-End Credit and Charge Cards
  • 12.2 Installment Loans
  • 12.3 Early Payoffs of Loans
  • 12.4 Personal Property Loans
  • 12.5 Real Estate Loans
  • 12.6 Cost of College and Student Loans
  • Chapter 12 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Consolidating Loans
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Underwater on a Home
  • Chapter 12 Test
  • Chapters 11 - 12 Cumulative Review

13. Taxes and Insurance

  • 13.1 Property Tax
  • 13.2 Personal Income Tax
  • 13.3 Fire Insurance
  • 13.4 Motor-Vehicle Insurance
  • 13.5 Life Insurance
  • Chapter 13 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Financial Planning for Property Taxes and Insurance
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Mattel Inc.: Taxes and Insurance
  • Chapter 13 Test

14. Depreciation

  • 14.1 Straight-Line Method
  • 14.2 Declining-Balance Method
  • 14.3 Sum-of-the-Years'-Digits Method
  • Supplementary Application Exercises on Depreciation
  • 14.4 Units-of-Production Method
  • 14.5 Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System
  • Chapter 14 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Comparing Depreciation Methods
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Ford Motor Company
  • Chapter 14 Test

15. Financial Statements and Ratios

  • 15.1 The Income Statement
  • 15.2 Analyzing the Income Statement
  • 15.3 The Balance Sheet
  • 15.4 Analyzing the Balance Sheet
  • Chapter 15 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Bicycle Shop
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Apple, Inc.
  • Chapter 15 Test

16. Budgeting and Business Statistics

  • 16.1 Planning and Budgeting
  • 16.2 Frequency Distributions and Graphs
  • 16.3 Mean, Median, and Mode
  • Chapter 16 Quick Review
  • Chapter Terms
  • Case Study: Watching a Small Business Grow
  • Case in Point Summary Exercise: Bobby Flay
  • Chapter 16 Test

Appendices

  • A: The Metric System
  • B: Basic Calculators
  • C: Financial Calculators
  • D: Exponents and the Order of Operations
  • E: Graphing Equations

Answers to Selected Exercises

Glossary

Index

Photo Credits

About our authors

Gary Clendenen received bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics before going into business for himself in the oil industry. He returned to academia and earned his Ph.D. in Business Management, and was a professor for several years. His business experience includes working as an actuary for an insurance company and owning commercial real estate. He has published papers in numerous refereed journals and does volunteer work with several organizations. His hobbies include long bicycle rides, swimming, and reading on a wide variety of topics including history, economics and natural resources. He has 2 sons and several grandchildren. He and his wife use miniature equine in an equine-assisted learning program involving kids of all ages, parents, cancer victims, etc.

Kyle Moninger is an Associate Teaching Professor of the Quantitative Business Curriculum at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. He teaches and plans undergraduate courses in statistics and business calculus, serves on the Quantitative Business Curriculum committee, and supervises the college's Math and Stats tutoring center. Kyle has been a visiting professor 3 times at Tianjin Polytechnic University in Tianjin, China. He was previously a data scientist at Owens Corning in Toledo, Ohio, where he designed and implemented a corporate training program on business intelligence and analytics.

Need help? Get in touch

MyLab

Customize your course to teach your way. MyLab® is a flexible platform merging world-class content with dynamic study tools. It takes a personalized approach designed to ignite each student's unique potential. And, with the freedom it affords to adapt your pedagogy, you can reinforce select concepts and guide students to real results.

Pearson+

All in one place. Pearson+ offers instant access to eTextbooks, videos and study tools in one intuitive interface. Students choose how they learn best with enhanced search, audio and flashcards. The Pearson+ app lets them read where life takes them, no wi-fi needed. Students can access Pearson+ through a subscription or their MyLab or Mastering course.

Video
Play
Privacy and cookies
By watching, you agree Pearson can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable upon changing cookie preferences. Disabling cookies may affect video functionality. More info...

Video transcript (PDF | 25KB) 

Empower your students, in class and beyond

Meet students where they are with MyLab®, and capture their attention in every lecture, activity, and assignment using immersive content, customized tools, and interactive learning experiences in your discipline.

Digital Learning NOW

Extend your professional development and meet your students where they are with free weekly Digital Learning NOW webinars. Attend live, watch on-demand, or listen at your leisure to expand your teaching strategies. Earn digital professional development badges for attending a live session.

Explore webinars