INVESTIGATING BASIC COLLEGE MATHEMATICS is a flexible worktext that supports a variety of teaching methods. The book engages students in active learning, allowing them to discover knowledge and describe their understandings. Through a blend of lecture-type Discussions and Investigations, this book provides a comprehensive foundation in basic mathematical concepts. While the table of contents for this text is similar to others on the market, the presentation is unique. Carefully designed INVESTIGATIONS lead students to discover key concepts, while DISCUSSIONS offer a more traditional explanation. The INVESTIGATIONS can be completed as a class led by the instructor, in cooperative groups, or by the student alone. Instead of passively listening to an explanation of the concept, the student participates in its development, followed immediately by practice and application of the concept. This method helps developmental students understand and retain concepts. Selected for their high interest, the application problems are drawn from the media and everyday situations. Students find the problems relevant and easy to visualize; a variety of applications provides substantial practice. The authors also provide an organizer (the five step method) to help students learn to get started and finish problems successfully. Because students are constantly asked to apply their skills in application problems, systems of measurement are introduced early. This also prepares students for success in related classes in the natural sciences, social sciences, and technology.

This volume comprises a worktext that prepares college students for a first course in algebra. The six sections are organized around topics including whole numbers, integers, fractions, and decimals (with plane geometry and problem solving integrated throughout) in order to help students learn to evaluate, simplify, graph, and solve. Includes an interactive video skillbuilder CD-ROM, with about eight hours of instruction and quizzes, as well as access to vMentor, which offers tutorial services online.
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"...this book (provides) the structure and content to meet a variety of teaching methods from a lecture format to a student centered format. The book is highly interactive from the student's point of view and each instructor may determine how they wish to use the writing assignments, check your understandings, review exercises, etc...."

Laura Bracken teaches developmental mathematics at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. Her interests include cooperative learning in the multi-age classroom, appropriate use of technology in developmental mathematics, and coping skills for math anxiety and math hatred. Her presentations at the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges' annual national meetings include "Assessment and the Standards: When is 70% Good Enough?" (2001); "Factoring and the Standards: Implications and Recommendations" (2000); "Problem Solving Strategies: Prescription or Proscription" (1999); "Teaching Algorithms in Cooperative Groups" (1998); and "Teaching Over the Internet with a Shoestring Budget" (1997). She has also worked as a consultant on multimedia projects for developmental mathematics.Hazel J McKenna is a professor of mathematics in the School of Learning Resources at Utah Valley State College, in Orem, Utah. Along with a B.Sc. and M.S. in Mathematics, she holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Science with an emphasis in educational measurement and evaluation. She has presented at national and international conferences including the American Educational Research Association, the National Council on Measurement and Evaluation, and the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges. Her main research interests lie in the fields of course development and evaluation, item bias in testing, and teaching adult learners. She has consulted with school boards, organizations and companies, dealing with topics ranging from program evaluation to computer adaptive testing. Hazel has been teaching mathematics at the college level since 1986 and has devoted her teaching to developmental mathematics since 1993. She won the Teacher of the Year award at UVSC in 2001, and the Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in 2002. Hazel J. McKenna, along with Laura Bracken, has authored two texts: INVESTIGATING BASIC MATHEMATICS, and INVESTIGATING PREALGEBRA.

1. WHOLE NUMBERS. Introduction to the Chapter. Introduction to Whole Numbers. Numbers, Tables, and Bar Graphs. Addition and Subtraction. Problem Solving. Multiplication. Exponents. Using the SI (Metric) System of Measurement. Division. Read, Reflect, and Respond: Effective Studying. Glossary and Procedures. Review. Test. 2. INTEGERS. Introduction to the Chapter. Introduction to Integers. Addition of Integers. Subtraction of Integers. Multiplication and Division of Integers. Order of Operations. Formulas. Line Graphs. Read, Reflect and Respond: Learning Styles. Glossary and Procedures. Review. Test. 3. FRACTIONS. Introduction to the Chapter. Multiples and Factors. Introduction to Fractions. Multiplication. Division. Addition and Subtraction. Mixed Numbers. Arithmetic with Mixed Numbers. Solving Equations. Read, Reflect, and Respond: The Value of Mathematics in Daily Life. Glossary and Procedures. Review. Test. 4. DECIMALS. Introduction to the Chapter. Introduction to Decimal Numbers. Multiplication. Division. Powers of Ten and Scientific Notation. Unit Analysis. Pi . Square Roots. Read, Reflect, and Respond: Precision and Accuracy. Glossary and Procedures. Review. Test. 5. EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS. Introduction to the Chapter. Evaluating Algebraic Expressions. Simplify Algebraic Expressions. Properties of Equality. Equations with More Than One Operation. Applications and Problem Solving. Read, Reflect, and Respond: Problem Solving in Practice. Glossary and Procedures. Review. Test. 6. RATES RATIOS AND PERCENTS. Introduction to the Chapter. Introduction to Ratios and Rates. Proportions. Percents. Applications of Percents. Circle Graphs. Read, Reflect, and Respond: The Value of Mathematics for Citizenship. Glossary and Procedures. Review. Test. APPENDIX 1: Geometry. Introduction to the Appendix. Essential Terms and Definitions. Perimeter and Circumference. Area. Volume. Similar Triangles. Appendix 2: Using Technology. Introduction to the Appendix. Whole Numbers. Integers. Fractions and Mixed Numbers. Decimals and Pi. Appendix 3: Answers to Odd Numbered Exercises. Chapter Reviews, and Chapter Tests. Index.