The study of Management Science, or Operations Research, looks at how mathematically-based models are used to generate optimal solutions for business problems. This text provides a brief introduction to these models and gives a concise and balanced view of the most widely used applications. The book shows how managers can use scientific ideas and methods to solve business problems, describing a range of examples in everyday use. Giving students plenty of practice and worked examples of a range of quantitative techniques, the text avoids formal proofs and derivations, concentrating instead on applications in a business context. Where software can assist managers in decision-making, Excel is the package that is most regularly used and therefore examples are given in this format.