Understanding The Mathematics Of Personal Finance

A user-friendly presentation of the essential concepts and tools for calculating real costs and profits in personal finance Understanding the Mathematics of Personal Finance explains how mathematics, a simple calculator, and basic computer spreadsheets can be used to break down and understand even the most complex loan structures. In an easy-to-follow style, the book clearly explains the workings of basic financial calculations, captures the concepts behind loans and interest in a step-by-step manner, and details how these steps can be implemented for practical purposes. Rather than simply providing investment and borrowing strategies, the author successfully equips readers with the skills needed to make accurate and effective decisions in all aspects of personal finance ventures, including mortgages, annuities, life insurance, and credit card debt. The book begins with a primer on mathematics, covering the basics of arithmetic operations and notations, and proceeds to explore the concepts of interest, simple interest, and compound interest. Subsequent chapters illustrate the application of these concepts to common types of personal finance exchanges, including: Loan amortization and savings Mortgages, reverse mortgages, and viatical settlements Prepayment penalties Credit cards The book provides readers with the tools needed to calculate real costs and profits using various financial instruments. Mathematically inclined readers will enjoy the inclusion of mathematical derivations, but these sections are visually distinct from the text and can be skipped without the loss of content or complete understanding of the material. In addition, references to online calculators and instructions for building the calculations involved in a spreadsheet are provided. Furthermore, a related Web site features additional problem sets, the spreadsheet calculators that are referenced and used throughout the book, and links to various other financial calculators. Understanding the Mathematics of Personal Finance is an excellent book for finance courses at the undergraduate level. It is also an essential reference for individuals who are interested in learning how to make effective financial decisions in their everyday lives.

This lively and practical introduction to the mathematics of money invites us to take a fresh look at the numbers that underpin our financial decisions. Morton D. Davis talks about strategies to use when we are required to bet against the odds (purchasing auto insurance) or choose to bet against the odds (wagering in a casino or at the track). He considers the ways in which we can streamline and simplify the choices available to us in mortgages and other loans. And he helps us understand the real probabilities when we accept a tip on that "one in a thousand" stock, even when the tip comes from a successful day trader. With a wealth of entertaining and counterintuitive examples, The Math of Money delights as well as informs, and will help readers treat their financial resources more rationally.

"Master everything from banking and loan interest to budgets and business costs"--Cover.

We live in an increasingly complex financial world where we must make personal financial decisions almost daily. Our financial well being depends on it. But where do you look for information to develop the ability to make and monitor your financial decisions? Financial mathematics and its applications are not taught in public schools or even colleges except to business finance and accounting majors. The Mathematics of Personal Finance fills that gap. It is a complete reference for financial mathematics and its applications. Reading this book will teach you how to analyze almost every type of financial situation you will ever encounter during your financial lifetime. With this knowledge you will be able to: Evaluate your financial options Monitor your financial progress Plan your financial life Ensure you are not being exploited. In place of guess work or hunches you will be capable of making informed financial decisions. You will be amazed at what The Mathematics of Personal Finance can do for you.

The Mathematics of Personal Financial Planning, 3e creates a solid foundation for the skills and applications that foster success of professional certification examinations in personal financial planning, insurance, credit counseling and financial counseling. With a unique step-by-step learning format and algebraic expressions, the text clearly presents mathematical computations and examples that will assist the student in mastering financial concepts and formulas.

Glencoe’s Mathematics for Business and Personal Finance is the only text on the market that offers teachers point-of-use online professional development, interactive online help for students and the option of purchasing an interactive online text with a grade book. As always, we have maintained our exclusive coverage of key core academic content, and our research-based reading strategies.