Financial Algebra, Student Edition

Robert Gerver and Richard Sgroi are well-known mathematics teachers, authors, and speakers at mathematics conferences throughout the U.S. Robert Gerver received his undergraduate degree from Queens College of the City University of New York where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Ph.D. from New York University. Dr. Gerver has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching for New York state. Richard Sgroi is a well-known mathematics teacher, author, and speaker at mathematics conferences throughout the U.S. Dr. Sgroi received his Ph.D. from New York University. Over the course of their 25-year careers, Gerver and Sgroi have developed teaching methods to unmask the mystery of mathematics with applications to music, business, finance, and practical living skills. Together they authored Sound Foundations: A Mathematics Simulation, which received recognition from the U.S. Department of Education�s Program Effectiveness Panel and was included in the publication, Educational Programs that Work.

1. The Stock Market
1.1 Business Organization
1.2 Stock Market Data
1.3 Stock Market Data Charts
1.4 Simple Moving Averages
1.5 Stock Market Ticker
1.6 Stock Transactions
1.7 Stock Transaction Fees
1.8 Stock Splits
1.9 Dividend Income
MATH TOPICS
Candlestick chart
Fractions, decimals, and percents
Linear equation
Literal equation
Mean � arithmetic average
Percent increase and decrease
Ratio and proportion
Read, interpret, and create bar and line graphs
Simple moving average
Spreadsheets and formulas
2. Modeling a Business
2.1 Interpret Scatterplots
2.2 Linear Regression
2.3 Supply and Demand
2.4 Fixed and Variable Expenses
2.5 Graphs of Expense and Revenue Functions
2.6 Breakeven Analysis
2.7 The Profit Equation
2.8 Mathematically Modeling a Business
MATH TOPICS
Causal relationship
Functions - domain and range
Linear equation � slope-intercept form
Linear regression
Parabola � vertex and axis of symmetry
Quadratic formula
Scatterplots and correlation
Spreadsheets and formulas
Transitive property of dependence
3. Banking Services
3.1 Checking Accounts
3.2 Reconcile a Bank Statement
3.3 Savings Accounts
3.4 Explore Compound Interest
3.5 Compound Interest Formula
3.6 Continuous Compounding
3.7 Future Value of Investments
3.8 Present Value of Investments
MATH TOPICS
Exponential functions
Exponential base (e)
Exponential growth and decay
Formulas
Linear equations and inequalities
Limits
Order of operations
Recursive and iterative thinking: patterns, growth, decline, compound interest
4. Consumer Credit
4.1 Introduction to Consumer Credit
4.2 Loans
4.3 Loan Calculations and Regression
4.4 Credit Cards
4.5 Credit Card Statement
4.6 Average Daily Balance
MATH TOPICS
Cubic regression
Exponential growth and decay
Linear equations and inequalities
Linear regression
Measures of central tendency
Natural logarithm, base e
Percents
Quadratic regression
Spreadsheets and formulas
5. Automobile Ownership
5.1 Classified Ads
5.2 Buy or Sell a Car
5.3 Graph Frequency Distributions
5.4 Automobile Insurance
5.5 Linear Automobile Depreciation
5.6 Historical and Exponential Depreciation
5.7 Driving Data
5.8 Driving Safety Data
5.9 Accident Investigation Data
MATH TOPICS
Circles (radius, diameter, chord)
Distance Formula
Exponential growth and decay
Linear equations and inequalities
Linear and exponential functions
Measures of central tendency
Metric System
Natural logarithm
Percents and Proportions
Piecewise functions
Range
Read and interpret data: frequency tables, stem-and-leaf plots, box plots
Quartiles
Straight line equations (depreciation)
Slope, slope-intercept form
Square root equations
Spreadsheets and formulas
Systems of linear equations and inequalities in two variables
6. Employment Basics
6.1 Look for Employment
6.2 Pay Periods and Hourly Rates
6.3 Commissions, Royalties, and Piecework Pay
6.4 Employee Benefits
6.5 Social Security and Medicare
MATH TOPICS
Cusps
Piecewise functions
Exponential functions
Graphs
Linear functions
Literal expressions
Measures of central tendency
Percent discount
Spreadsheets and formulas
7. Income Taxes
7.1 Tax Tables, Worksheets, and Schedules
7.2 Modeling Tax Schedules
7.3 Income Statements
7.4 Forms 1040EZ and 1040A
7.5 Form 1040 and Schedules A and B
MATH TOPICS
Cusps
Domains
Linear equations and inequalities
Literal expressions
Percent
Piecewise functions
8. Independent Living
8.1 Find a Place to Live
8.2 Read a Floor Plan
8.3 Mortgage Application Process
8.4 Purchase a Home
8.5 Rentals, Condominiums, and Cooperatives
MATH TOPICS
Area and scale factor
Area of irregular regions
Bar graphs
Exponential regression
Greatest integer function
Literal expressions
Monte Carlo method
Probability
Rational and exponential equations
Scale drawings
Scatterplots and linear regression
Spreadsheets and formulas
Systems of linear equations and inequalities in two variables
9. Planning for Retirement
9.1 Retirement Income from Savings
9.2 Social Security Benefits
9.3 Pensions
9.4 Life Insurance
MATH TOPICS
Collect, organize, and interpret data
Domain
Expected value
Exponential equations
Greatest integer functions
Histogram
Inequalities
Literal expressions
Measures of central tendency
Percent increase
Probability
Rational equations
Spreadsheets and formulas
Slope-intercept forms
10. Prepare a Budget
10.1 Utility Expenses
10.2 Electronic Utilities
10.3 Charting a Budget
10.4 Cash Flow and Budgeting
MATH TOPICS
Circle (sectors, central angel)
Cusp
Domain
Fractions, decimals, and ratios
Greatest integer function
Linear equations and inequalities
Literal expressions
Matrices
Piecewise functions
Proportions
Rational and exponential equations
Read and interpret data: line graphs, bar graphs, circle graphs
Slope and graphing linear functions
Spreadsheets and formulas
Systems of equations
Volume