Statistics for Applied Problem Solving and Decision Making

Intended for the applied calculus-based, introductory statistics course for business and economics undergraduates and MBAs, this book presents business statistics as a problem-solving process, rather than as a means to achieve a numerical solution. Applied, data-driven, and copmuter-oriented, it emphasizes the principles of statistics as a foundation for application of statistical methodologies and real-life problems. Curve fitting and regression are introduced early, allowing students to use the computer from the start of the course. Statistical and spreadsheet software help students make the connections between probability models and actual data. The authors include sparing and careful use of calculus at critical points where a simple calculus reference or computation can totally eliminate the perplexing arbitrariness that is seen in 'cookbook' approaches.