Math in Everyday Life

Meet the Van Dusens! The Van Dusens are probably not very different from many other families you know well. Mr. Van Dusen is Director of Computer Systems at the law firm of Goode, Best, and Wurst. Mrs. Van Dusen works part-time at the Congress Middle School as a teacher’s aide. The Van Dusens have three children: Craig, who is seventeen; Vanessa, who is thirteen; and Charley, who is six. Craig is working full time for a year to earn money for college. Vanessa has a part-time job. You will get to know the Van Dusens throughout this book as you help them solve many of their day-to-day financial problems. Like most families today, the Van Dusens seem to run into mathematical problems everywhere they turn: in maintaining checkbooks, savings accounts, and charge accounts; in purchasing food, clothing, and other items; in paying for their mortgage and for home repairs and improvements; in keeping up with medical, car, house, and life insurance; in figuring state, federal, and perhaps, loca