Algebra is accessible and engaging with this popular text from Charles "Pat" McKeague! ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA is infused with McKeague's passion for teaching mathematics. With years of classroom experience, he knows how to write in a way that you will understand and appreciate. McKeague's attention to detail and exceptionally clear writing style help you to move through each new concept with ease. Real-world applications in every chapter of this user-friendly book highlight the relevance of what you are learning. And studying is easier than ever with the book's multimedia learning resources, including CengageNOW for ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA, a personalized online learning companion.

Charles P. "Pat" McKeague earned his B.A. in Mathematics from California State University, Northridge, and his M.S. in Mathematics from Brigham Young University. A well-known author and respected educator, he is a full-time writer and a part-time instructor at Cuesta College. He has published twelve textbooks in mathematics covering a range of topics from basic mathematics to trigonometry. An active member of the mathematics community, Professor McKeague is a popular speaker at regional conferences, including the California Mathematics Council for Community Colleges, the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Texas Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges, the New Mexico Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges, and the National Association for Developmental Education. He is a member of the American Mathematics Association for Two-Year Colleges, the Mathematics Association of America, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the California Mathematics Council for Community Colleges.

1. The Basics. 1.1. Notation and Symbols. 1.2. Real Numbers. 1.3. Addition of Real Numbers. 1.4. Subtraction of Real Numbers. 1.5. Properties of Real Numbers. 1.6. Multiplication of Real Numbers. 1.7. Division of Real Numbers. 1.8. Subsets of the Real Numbers. 1.9. Addition and Subtraction with Fractions. Summary. Review/Test. Projects. 2. Linear Equations and Inequalities. 2.1. Simplifying Expressions. 2.2. Addition Property of Equality. 2.3. Multiplication Property of Equality. 2.4. Solving Linear Equations. 2.5. Formulas. 2.6. Applications. 2.7. More Applications. 2.8. Linear Inequalities. 2.9. Compound Inequalities. Summary. Review/Test. Projects. 3. Linear Equations and Inequalities in Two Variables. 3.1. Paired Data and Graphing Ordered Pairs. 3.2. Solutions to Linear Equations in Two Variables. 3.3. Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables. 3.4. More on Graphing: Intercepts. 3.5. The Slope of a Line. 3.6. Finding the Equation of a Line. 3.7. Linear Inequalities in Two Variables. Summary. Review/Test. Projects. 4. Systems of Linear Equations. 4.1. Solving Linear Systems by Graphing. 4.2. The Elimination Method. 4.3. The Substitution Method. 4.4. Applications. Summary. Review/Test. Projects. 5. Exponents and Polynomials. 5.1. Multiplication with Exponents. 5.2. Division with Exponents. 5.3. Operations with Monomials. 5.4. Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials. 5.5. Multiplication with Polynomials. 5.6. Binomial Squares and Other Special Products. 5.7. Dividing a Polynomial by a Monomial. 5.8. Dividing a Polynomial by a Polynomial. Summary. Review/Test. Projects. 6. Factoring. 6.1. The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping. 6.2. Factoring Trinomials. 6.3. More Trinomials to Factor. 6.4. The Difference of Two Squares. 6.5. The Sum and Difference of Two Cubes. 6.6. Factoring: A General Review. 6.7. Solving Equations by Factoring. 6.8. Applications. Summary. Review/Test. Projects. 7. Rational Expressions. 7.1. Reducing Rational Expressions to Lowest Terms. 7.2. Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions. 7.3. Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions. 7.4. Equations Involving Rational Expressions. 7.5. Applications. 7.6. Complex Fractions. 7.7. Proportions. 7.8. Variation. Summary. Review/Test. Projects. 8. Roots and Radicals. 8.1. Definitions and Common Roots. 8.2. Properties of Radicals. 8.3. Simplified Form for Radicals. 8.4. Addition and Subtraction of Radical Expressions. 8.5. Multiplication and Division of Radicals. 8.6. Equations Involving Radicals. Summary. Review/Test. Projects. 9. Quadratic Equations. 9.1. More Quadratic Equations. 9.2. Completing the Square. 9.3. The Quadratic Formula. 9.4. Complex Numbers. 9.5. Complex Solutions to Quadratic Equations. 9.6. Graphing Parabolas. Summary. Review/Test. Projects.