Bob Blitzer is a native of Manhattan and received a Bachelor of Arts degree with dual majors in mathematics and psychology (minor: English literature) from the City College of New York. His unusual combination of academic interests led him toward a Master of Arts in mathematics from the University of Miami and a doctorate in behavioral sciences from Nova University. Bob’s love for teaching mathematics was nourished for nearly 30 years at Miami Dade College, where he received numerous teaching awards, including Innovator of the Year from the League for Innovations in the Community College and an endowed chair based on excellence in the classroom. In addition to Intermediate Algebra for College Students, Bob has written textbooks covering introductory algebra, college algebra, algebra and trigonometry, precalculus, and liberal arts mathematics, all published by Prentice Hall. When not secluded in his Northern California writer’s cabin, Bob can be found hiking the beaches and trails of Point Reyes National Seashore, and tending to the chores required by his beloved entourage of horses, chickens, and irritable roosters.

CONTENTS

A Brief Guide to Getting the Most from This Book

Preface

To The Student

About the Author

Chapter 1: The Real Number System

1.1 Fractions

1.2 The Real Numbers

1.3 Ordered Pairs and Graphs

1.4 Basic Rules of Algebra

Mid-Chapter Check Point

1.5 Addition of Real Numbers

1.6 Subtraction of Real Numbers

1.7 Multiplication and Division of Real Numbers

1.8 Exponents, Order of Operations, and Mathematical Models

Group Project

Summary

Review Exercises

Chapter Test

Chapter 2: Linear Equations and Inequalities of One Variable

2.1 The Addition Property of Equality

2.2 The Multiplication Property of Equality

2.3 Solving Linear Equations

2.4 Formulas and Percents

Mid-Chapter Check Point

2.5 An Introduction to Problem Solving

2.6 Solving Linear Inequalities

Group Project

Summary

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1- 2)

Chapter Test

Chapter 3: Problem Solving

3.1 Further Problem Solving

3.2 Ratio and Proportion

Mid-Chapter Check Point

3.3 Problem Solving in Geometry

Group Project

Summary

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1- 3)

Chapter Test

Chapter 4: Linear Equations and Inequalities in Two Variables

4.1 Graphing Equations in Two Variables

4.2 Graphing Linear Equations Using Intercepts

4.3 Slope

4.4 The Slope-Intercept Form of the Equation of a Line

Mid-Chapter Check Point

4.5 The Point-Slope Form of the Equation of a Line

4.6 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

Group Project

Summary

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1- 4)

Chapter Test

Chapter 5: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities

5.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing

5.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by the Substitution Method

5.3 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by the Addition Method

Mid-Chapter Check Point

5.4 Problem Solving Using Systems of Equations

5.5 Systems of Linear Inequalities

Group Project

Summary

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1- 5)

Chapter Test

Chapter 6: Exponents and Polynomials

6.1 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

6.2 Multiplying Polynomials

6.3 Special Products

6.4 Polynomials in Several Variables

Mid-Chapter Check Point

6.5 Dividing Polynomials

6.6 Dividing Polynomials by Binomials

6.7 Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation

Group Project

Summary

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1- 6)

Chapter Test

Chapter 7: Factoring Polynomials

7.1 The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring By Grouping

7.2 Factoring Trinomials Whose Leading Coefficient Is One

7.3 Factoring Trinomials Whose Leading Coefficient Is Not One

Mid-Chapter Check Point  

7.4 Factoring Special Forms

7.5 A General Factoring Strategy

7.6 Solving Quadratic Equations By Factoring          

Group Project

Summary

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1- 7)

Chapter Test

Chapter 8: Rational Expressions

8.1 Rational Expressions and Their Simplification

8.2 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

8.3 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with the Same Denominator

8.4 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Different Denominators

Mid-Chapter Check Point

8.5 Complex Rational Expressions

8.6 Solving Rational Equations

8.7 Applications Using Rational Equations and Variation

Group Project

Summary

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1- 8)

Chapter Test

Chapter 9: Roots and Radicals

9.1 Finding Roots

9.2 Multiplying and Dividing Radicals

9.3 Operations with Radicals

Mid-Chapter Check Point

9.4 Rationalizing the Denominator

9.5 Radical Equations

9.6 Rational Exponents

Group Project

Summary

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1- 9)

Chapter Test

Chapter 10: Quadratic Equations and Functions

10.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Square Root Property

10.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square Root

10.3 The Quadratic Formula

Mid-Chapter Check Point

10.4 Imaginary Numbers as Solutions of Quadratic Equations

10.5 Graphs of Quadratic Equations

10.6 Introduction to Functions

Group Project

Summary

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1- 10)

Chapter Test

Answers to Selected Exercises

Graphing Answer Section

Applications Index

Subject Index

Photo Credits