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This new book by Chan Park, as indicated by the title, is a series of case studies in engineering economics. The book is not intended to teach the students engineering economics but, rather, is to be used as a supplement to a traditional first text in engineering economics. As mentioned in the preface, this collection of case studies is recommended for use with Chan Park's CONTEMPORARY ENGINEERING ECONOMICS but is flexible enough to be used with practically any text suitable for an undergraduate course in engineering economics.
The book consists of eight case studies and an appendix of interest factors for discrete compounding. The first two case studies deal with personal finances and housing decisions, (examination of an adjustable-rate mortgage loan and a rent-versus-own decision), and the remaining six case studies are related to industrial applications; (in fact, Park states that they are based on real industry cases). A short list of "concepts illustrated" precedes each case study and provides a quick and accurate preview of what the reader can expect from the case study. Each case study then presents one or two sections of technical background information which typically provides nonessential details and can usually by skipped or read through lightly without detracting from the economic analysis to be performed. These sections, however, are usually brief and somewhat informative, and I would therefore encourage my students to...