Welcome to the thirteenth edition of Quantitative Analysis for Management. Our goal is to provide undergraduate and graduate students with a genuine foundation in business analytics, quantitative methods, and management science. In doing so, we owe thanks to the hundreds of users and scores of reviewers who have provided invaluable counsel and pedagogical insight for more than 30 years.

To help students connect how the techniques presented in this book apply in the real world, computer-based applications and examples are a major focus of this edition. Mathematical ­models, with all the necessary assumptions, are presented in a clear and “plain-English” manner. The ensuing solution procedures are then applied to example problems alongside step-by-step ­“how-to” instructions. We have found this method of presentation to be very effective, and students are very appreciative of this approach. In places where the mathematical computations are intricate, the details are presented in such a manner that the instructor can omit these sections without interrupting the flow of material. The use of computer software enables the instructor to focus on the managerial problem and spend less time on the details of the algorithms. Computer output is provided for many examples throughout the book.

The only mathematical prerequisite for this textbook is algebra. One chapter on probability and another on regression analysis provide introductory coverage on these topics. We employ standard notation, terminology, and equations throughout the book. Careful explanation is provided for the mathematical notation and equations that are used.

Many features have been popular in previous editions of this textbook, and they have been updated and expanded in this edition. They include the following:

• Modeling in the Real World boxes demonstrate the application of the quantitative analysis approach to every technique discussed in the book. Three new ones have been added.

• Procedure boxes summarize the more complex quantitative techniques, presenting them as a series of easily understandable steps.

• Margin notes highlight the important topics in the text.

• History boxes provide interesting asides related to the development of techniques and the ­people who originated them.

• QA in Action boxes illustrate how real organizations have used quantitative analysis to solve problems. Several new QA in Action boxes have been added.

• Solved Problems, included at the end of each chapter, serve as models for students in solving their own homework problems.

• Discussion Questions are presented at the end of each chapter to test the student’s understanding of the concepts covered and definitions provided in the chapter.

• Problems included in every chapter are applications-oriented and test the student’s ability to solve exam-type problems. They are graded by level of difficulty: introductory (one bullet), moderate (two bullets), and challenging (three bullets). Twenty-six new problems have been added.

• Internet Homework Problems provide additional problems for students to work. They are available on the Companion Website.

• Self-Tests allow students to test their knowledge of important terms and concepts in preparation for quizzes and examinations.

• Case Studies, at the end of most chapters, provide additional challenging managerial applications.

• Glossaries, at the end of each chapter, define important terms.

• Key Equations, provided at the end of each chapter, list the equations presented in that chapter.

• End-of-chapter bibliographies provide a current selection of more advanced books and articles.

• The software POM-QM for Windows uses the full capabilities of Windows to solve quantitative analysis problems.

• Excel QM and Excel 2016 are used to solve problems throughout the book.

• Data files with Excel spreadsheets and POM-QM for Windows files containing all the ­examples in the textbook are available for students to download from the Companion Website. Instructors can download these plus additional files containing computer solutions to the relevant end-of-chapter problems from the Instructor Resource Center Website.

• Online modules provide additional coverage of topics in quantitative analysis.

• The Companion Website, at www.pearsonhighered.com/render, provides the online modules, additional problems, cases, and other material for every chapter.

In the thirteenth edition, we have introduced Excel 2016 in all of the chapters. Updated screenshots are ­integrated in the appropriate sections so that students can easily learn how to use Excel 2016 for the calculations. The Excel QM add-in is used with Excel 2016, allowing students with limited Excel experience to easily perform the necessary calculations. This also allows students to improve their Excel skills as they see the formulas automatically written in Excel QM.

From the Companion Website, students can access files for all of the examples used in the textbook in Excel 2016, QM for Windows, and Excel QM. Other files with all of the end-of-chapter problems involving these software tools are available to the instructors.

Business analytics, one of the hottest topics in the business world, makes extensive use of the models in this book. A discussion of the business analytics categories is provided, and the relevant management science techniques are placed into the appropriate category.

Examples and problems have been updated, and many new ones have been added. New screenshots are provided for almost all of the examples in the book. A brief summary of the changes in each chapter of the thirteenth edition is presented here.

To streamline the book, eight topics are contained in modules available on the Companion Website for the book.

1. Analytic Hierarchy Process

2. Dynamic Programming

3. Decision Theory and the Normal Distribution

4. Game Theory

5. Mathematical Tools: Determinants and Matrices

6. Calculus-Based Optimization

7. Linear Programming: The Simplex Method

8. Transportation, Assignment, and Network Algorithms

The Companion Website, located at www.pearsonhighered.com/render, contains a variety of materials to help students master the material in this course. These include the following:

• Instructor Resource Center: The Instructor Resource Center contains the electronic files for the test bank, PowerPoint slides, the Solutions Manual, and data files for both Excel and POM-QM for Windows for all relevant examples and end-of-chapter problems (www.pearsonhighered.com/render).

• Register, Redeem, Login: At www.pearsonhighered.com/irc, instructors can access a variety of print, media, and presentation resources that are available with this text in downloadable, digital format. For most texts, resources are also available for course management platforms such as Blackboard, WebCT, and Course Compass.

• Need help? Our dedicated technical support team is ready to assist instructors with questions about the media supplements that accompany this text. Visit support.pearson.com/getsupport for answers to frequently asked questions and toll-free user support phone numbers. The supplements are available to adopting instructors. Detailed descriptions are provided in the Instructor Resource Center.