Synopses & Reviews
Today's algebra students want to know the why behind what they are learning and it is this that motivates them to succeed in the course. By focusing on algebra in a real-world context, Gary Rockswold gracefully and succinctly answers this need. As many topics taught in today's college algebra course aren't as crucial to students as they once were, Gary has developed this streamlined text, covering linear, quadratic, nonlinear, exponential, and logarithmic functions and systems of equations and inequalities, to get to the heart of what students need from this course. By answering the why and streamlining the how, Rockswold has created a text to serve today's students and help them to truly succeed.
About the Author
Gary Rockswold- Dr. Gary Rockswold has been teaching mathematics for over 30 years from seventh grade to graduate school, including junior high and high school students, talented youth, vocational, undergraduate and graduate students, and adult education classes. He graduated from St.Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota with majors in mathematics and physics, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his PhD in applied mathematics from Iowa State University. His interdisciplinary background brought him to teach physical science, astronomy, and computer science, although he is currently a full professor of mathematics at Minnesota State University. Outside of mathematics, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS 1.1 Numbers, Data, and Problem Solving
1.2 Visualization of Data
1.3 Functions and Their Representations
1.4 Types of Functions and Their Rates of Change
Chapter 2: LINEAR FUNCTIONS AND EQUATIONS
2.1 Linear Functions and Models
2.2 Equations of Lines
2.3 Linear Equations
2.4 Linear Inequalities
2.5 Piecewise-Defined Functions
Chapter 3: QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS AND EQUATIONS
3.1 Quadratic Functions and Models
3.2 Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving
3.3 Quadratic Inequalities
3.4 Transformations of Graphs
Chapter 4: NONLINEAR FUNCTIONS AND EQUATIONS
4.1 Nonlinear Functions and Their Graphs
4.2 Polynomial Functions and Models
4.3 Real Zeros of Polynomial Functions
4.4 The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
4.5 Rational Functions and Models
4.6 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
4.7 Power Functions and Radical Equations
Chapter 5: EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
5.1 Combining Functions
5.2 Inverse Functions and Their Representations
5.3 Exponential Functions and Models
5.4 Logarithmic Functions and Models
5.5 Properties of Logarithms
5.6 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
5.7 Constructing Nonlinear Models
Chapter 6: SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES
6.1 Functions and Equations in Two Variables
6.2 Systems of Equations and Inequalities in Two Variables
6.3 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables
6.4 Solutions to Linear Systems Using Matrices
6.5 Properties and Applications of Matrices
6.6 Inverses of Matrices
6.7 Determinants
Reference: Basic Concepts from Algebra and Geometry
R.1 Formulas from Geometry
R.2 Circles
R.3 Integer Exponents
R.4 Polynomial Expressions
R.5 Factoring Polynomials
R.6 Rational Expressions
R.7 Radical Notation and Rational Exponents
R.8 Radical Expressions