"Tom Pirnot" believes that conceptual understanding is the key to a student' s success in learning mathematics. He focuses on explaining the thinking behind the subject matter, so that students are able to truly understand the material and apply it to their lives. This textbook maintains a conversational tone throughout and focuses on motivating students and the mathematics through current applications. Ultimately, students who use this book will become more educated consumers of the vast amount of technical and mathematical information that they encounter daily, transforming them into mathematically aware citizens.