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Each of these books is, in its own way, an excellent text. Essential Mathematics for Economics and Business covers a wide range of mathematical techniques, all of which are of use to budding economists. There is a tendency by the authors to get a little too involved in the mathematical work when perhaps more time could have been spent dealing with applications. Having said this it is the type of book students will find extremely useful for reference work and should help those embarking on a degree in economics or business studies. In addition many MBA students will find good use for it.

The use of the spreadsheet Excel to support the text is well thought out. I particularly liked the "Progress exercises" and clearly explained solutions. They are graduated in a useful way and students will benefit from working carefully through them, as they will also from the summary rules, which are well presented and easy to understand.

Essential Quantitative Methods: A Guide for Business is well constructed and laid out in a way students will find helpful. Each chapter contains a point-by-point outline, together with a large number of well-explained worked examples and an excellent chapter review. One of the book's strengths is that it does not make too many assumptions about the reader's mathematical knowledge. But any student using it should gain an understanding of when to apply quantitative techniques to any particular problem. The book is therefore relevant for students embarking on business studies from HND to MBA level, particularly if they are a little fearful of quantitative methods.

Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics is aimed at BTEC and undergraduate students. The text covers a large range of quantitative techniques and is suitable for most quantitative modules in a business or economics undergraduate course. Not only does it deal with the techniques one expects, it also includes some financial methods from which most business studies students will benefit. The inclusion of a basic mathematics chapter is an excellent idea. A great strength is the clear explanation of some extremely complex issues with excellent diagrams. In addition, each chapter has a set of "self-check" questions with well-explained solutions. I would certainly advise any student on a BTEC or undergraduate course in business studies or business economics to purchase this book.

Essential Quantitative Methods: For Business, Management and Finance is again very useful. It assumes little mathematical knowledge but builds up in a very solid and sequential approach. Most students would benefit from having this handy text as a reference. It also has a list of tables and figures, together with the page numbers on which they appear. This allows cross-referencing and saves time and effort. HND and undergraduate students on business management courses will find this useful, as will those on Chartered Institute of Marketing and Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply courses, as well as those involved in management and social science research. All in all, a comprehensive and effective book.

Rod Gunn is reader, Business School, University of Glamorgan.