Zima and Brown continue to identify a generic approach to problem solving with a wide range of interest rates within the problems presented in the text. They also provided the following set of pedagogical and financial tools. This text emphasizes the point that the most important aspect for the student is to be able to visualize the problem. Timeline diagrams help the student to determine how to solve the problem from first principles.They emphasize the use of calculators and Excel spreadsheets (solutions provided where appropriate) in problem-solving techniques, and include Internet-based resources and tools.

Exercises for each topic in the text are stratified into fundamental learning exercises in Part A, and more challenging and theoretical problems in Part B. Each chapter closes with the Summary and Review Exercises, and, in many chapters, the Review Exercises include one or more Case Studies presenting more complex real-world problems.