Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: Numbers- how we handle them: Tools of trade: Basic numeracy skills -- Spreadsheets and other computer-based resources -- Numbers: A Basis for deduction -- A Firm foundation: Elementary probability -- Patterns of probability: Some distributions -- Estimating from samples: Inference -- Checking a theory; hypothesis testing -- Making it better: Statistics and quality improvement -- Looking for connections: Correlation -- Spotting the relationship: Line fitting -- Multiple regression -- Numbers a tool of planning : Planning an inventory policy; stock control -- Forecasting: Time-series, semi-logs graphs and exponential smoothing -- Allowing for interest: Financial mathematics -- Planning production levels: Linear programming -- Planning a project: Network analysis -- Cutting down on queues: Simulation -- Quantitative methods in the students research project -- Appendices.