Gets Them Engaged. Keeps Them Engaged

This text is perfect for those wanting to learn College Algebra from an exciting text that demonstrates the relevancy of math to everyday life. Blitzer's philosophy: present the full scope of mathematics, while always (1) engaging the reader by opening their minds to learning (2) keeping the readerengaged on every page (3) explaining ideas directly, simply, and clearly. Blitzer exposed the critical concept of frunctions right away in Chapter One preparing the reader for further study in mathematics.  

Table of Contents for Blitzer’s College Algebra, An Early Functions Approach, 1st Edition

Chapter P. Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra.

P.1 Algebraic Expressions and Real Numbers

P.2 Basic Rules of Algebra

P.3 Exponents and Scientific Notation

P.4 Radicals and Rational Exponents

P.5 Polynomials

Mid-Chapter Check Point

P.6 Factoring Polynomials

P.7 Rational Expressions

Chapter 1. Functions and Graphs

1.1 Graphs and Graphing Utilities

1.2 Basics of Functions and Their Graphs

1.3 More on Functions and Their Graphs

1.4 Linear Functions and Slope

1.5 More on Slope

Mid-Chapter Check Point

1.6 Transformations of Functions

1.7 Combinations of Functions; Composite Functions

1.8 Inverse Functions

1.9 Distance and Midpoint Formulas; Circles

Chapter 2. Equations and Inequalities

2.1 Linear Equations and Rational Equations

2.2 Models and Applications

2.3 Complex Numbers

2.4 Quadratic Equations

Mid-Chapter Check Point

2.5 Other Types of Equations

2.6 Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Inequalities

Chapter 3. Polynomial and Rational Functions.

3.1 Quadratic Functions

3.2 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs

3.3 Dividing Polynomials: Remainder and Factor Theorems

3.4 Zeros of Polynomial Functions

3.5 More on Zeros of Polynomial Functions

Mid-Chapter Check Point

3.6 Rational Functions and Their Graphs

3.7 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities

3.8 Modeling Using Variation

Chapter 4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions.

4.1 Exponential Functions

4.2 Logarithmic Functions

4.3 Properties of Logarithms

Mid-Chapter Check Point

4.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

4.5 Exponential Growth and Decay; Modeling Data

Chapter 5. Systems of Equations and Inequalities.

5.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables.

5.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables

5.3 Partial Fractions

5.4 Systems of Nonlinear Equations in Two Variables

Mid-Chapter Check Point

5.5 Systems of Inequalities.

5.6 Linear Programming

Chapter 6. Matrices and Determinants.

6.1 Matrix Solutions to Linear Systems

6.2 Inconsistent and Dependent Systems and Their Applications

6.3 Matrix Operations and Their Applications

Mid-Chapter Check Point

6.4. Multiplicative Inverses of Matrices and Matrix Equations

6.5 Determinants and Cramer's Rule

7. Conic Sections.

7.1 The Ellipse

7.2 The Hyperbola

Mid-Chapter Check Point

7.3 The Parabola

8. Sequences, Induction, and Probability.

8.1 Sequences and Summation Notation

8.2 Arithmetic Sequences

8.3 Geometric Sequences and Series

Mid-Chapter Check Point

8.4 Mathematical Induction

8.5 The Binomial Theorem

8.6 Counting Principles, Permutations, and Combinations

8.7 Probability

Appendix: Where Did That Come From? Selected Proofs.