Business Math: A Step-by-Step Handbook - 2023-A-D

Reviewed by Velda Arnaud, Department Chair, Instructor, and Advisor, Blue Mountain Community College on 8/30/25

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Yes, all areas are covered, and the appendices at the end are very help: rounding rules, key formulas, and a summary of notations (abbreviations and key words).

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I could not find any errors. The only concern I have is that is Canadian and uses the metric measuring system, which my students would not understand.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This textbook was last updated in 2023, so it is fairly new. Each chapter starts with real-world examples written in ways that students can understand. The examples are all business and personal, such as loans.

Clarity rating: 4

This textbook is very easy to read, and the organization makes it easy to find information in each chapter. However, I have difficulty getting students to read paragraphs; while everything students need is there, I question how one could persuade some students to read.

Consistency rating: 5

As I mentioned previously, the organization is absolutely wonderful.

Modularity rating: 5

Yes, each chapter could be broken up and rearranged. However, because of the appendices, I would keep everything together as one resource.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Yes, this textbook is well organized. The author uses the PUPP (Plan, Understand, Perform, and Present) Model, and each chapter has a graphic showing those steps. Each chapter begins with a real-world example, and includes the PUPP graphic, How It Works, Top Secret Tips, and Things to Watch Out For.

Interface rating: 3

This textbook was developed as a Lyryx With Open Texts project. There are links to the Lyryx website throughout the book; none of them work. All of the chapter exercises are only available online through a paid site. Unfortunately, Lyryx appears to have been puchased by another company, Harris Learning Solutions, and everything has moved to their website.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Other than some Canadian differences, I found none.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Other than examples from Canada that Oregon students may not understand, there were no cultural insensitivities or offenses.

Overall, I love the organization and how well this textbook was written, but I could not use it in my business mathematics course because of the requirement for the paid platform for exercises.