Wattenberg integrates the topics of applied mathematics with introductory computer programming. The book is aimed at undergraduates who are majoring in a liberal arts discipline. It was written for “a very demanding course,” according to the author.

The topics covered include examples from statistics, economics, physics, and demography. The book also has a long section on taxation and local aid distribution. Although teaching introductory computer programming and applied mathematics using topics from a variety of disciplines sounds like a very ambitious plan, Wattenberg draws the reader into the subject with a compelling narrative.

The author does not expect students to become skilled system programmers by the time the last page is read. Rather, Wattenberg gives an introduction to True Basic (I believe he selected this version of Basic because it de-emphasizes line numbers, which can intimidate beginning students.) by examining the PRINT, LET, FOR, INPUT, and DEF statements. After the introductory section, where he invites the reader to write some simple True Basic programs, the book turns its attention to personal mathematics. It presents probability and statistics using an approach that is commonly found in introductory statistics courses. Following this,  Wattenberg  discusses economic models, supply and demand theory, changing prices, inflation, and game theory. The next section is dedicated to optics. Why is optics in a book on introductory computer programming and applied mathematics for liberal arts students? Wattenberg addresses this question by stating in his introduction to optics:

The primary reason that this subject is included in this book is to illustrate the way that mathematics can help us understand the physical world.…You can do many experiments just by keeping your eyes open. Others require some equipment--a mirror, a coffee cup, a swimming pool, or perhaps a rainbow.… The exercises in this chapter include a number of optical experiments in addition to the usual computer programs and mathematical exercises.

This chapter includes an entertaining discussion of funhouse mirrors.

Chapter 5 covers taxation. Wattenberg discusses some taxation models with data from the United States. He also gives an in-depth discussion of property taxes in Massachusetts and develops a hypothetical series of cities and towns for the purpose of illustrating some components commonly associated with taxation assumptions. Wattenberg discusses disparity indices and lottery formulae and ends the chapter with some linear regression models and multiple regression.

Chapter 6 discusses population models. This chapter, which is Wattenberg’s approach to ecology, covers exponential, logistic, and geometric models of population growth. Wattenberg also discusses the impact two competitive species can have on population growth.

This book takes a creative approach to a number of topics that are seldom taught to liberal arts students. The chapter on probability and statistics draws the reader in by discussing strategies for roulette. Wattenberg could have performed a service to his students by discussing some risk assessment models in conjunction with the more conventional discussion of random chance.

The book is long (about 500 pages excluding the appendices) but profusely illustrated. One interesting approach is the way Wattenberg presents mathematical formulas. He avoids the formal presentation of formulas. His preference is to incorporate values from the topic that he is discussing with the symbols that appear in a formula. This applied approach does not lose the reader who might not be familiar with the abstract method of stating a mathematical formula.

Wattenberg mentions a data diskette that contains some sample data sets, but this diskette is not distributed with the textbook. Students are supposed to obtain the sample data sets from their instructor. The contents of the data set were not available for review with this textbook.