Mathematics surrounds us everyday in the simplest of tasks. Do we estimate that there is enough gas in the car to get to work? Are we charged the right amount for items we purchase? How much should we leave for a gratuity in a restaurant?
The success of any business depends on knowing how much things cost, and what should be charged for goods or services. Costs, sales history, sales projections, revenues, and profits all require a fundamental knowledge of graphs, tables, and mathematical functions. They are the tools that help set budgets, determine hiring practices, and optimize production.
In our personal lives, mathematics lets us see exactly what the cost is of putting items on credit. Can we afford the loan payments for a car or home? Mathematics also helps to predict what happens when we invest money: how much return does an investment yield; when should you start saving for retirement? and how much should you set aside?
Statistics underlies the principles used in marketing. How do we measure customer preferences? How reliable are the results of a marketing survey? How effective is an advertising campaign likely to be? What can we really believe when we see polls and graphs in the media? Who or what are we to believe when public policy is set? Can anyone guarantee something is safe or are there acceptable levels of risk?
Our faculty are actively involved in finding methods that help students better understand mathematics. Placement examinations plus review of academic records should put students in the proper level to help ensure success in math classes. Johnson & Wales University has courses that cover the spectrum from developmental math to highly specialized topics like calculus and differential equations. Some classes offer the option of "self-paced" learning, while other classes use graphing calculators, computers, and the Internet as resources for learning. Some of the faculty are actively involved in distance learning techniques. Members of the department have even written textbooks with Johnson & Wales students specifically in mind.
Students who are capable in mathematically and technically-related fields find their skills are in high demand. Employers will pay a premium for the graduate who is skilled in mathematics, especially if everyone else says, "I can't do math."
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