Synopses & Reviews
Hungerford integrates graphing technology into the course without losing sight of the fact that the underlying mathematics is the crucial issue. Mathematics is presented in an informal manner that stresses meaningful motivation, careful explanations, and numerous examples, with an ongoing focus on real-world problem solving. The concepts that play a central role in calculus are explored from algebraic, graphical, and numerical perspectives. Students are expected to participate actively in the development of these concepts by using graphing calculators (or computers with suitable software), as directed in the Graphing Explorations, either to complete a particular discussion or to explore appropriate examples.
Review
"The Graphing Explorations and Investigations are well placed and helpful. (Hungerford's CONTEMPORARY PRECALCULUS, 4th) is the best I've seen for integrating the calculator into a 'standard text'."
Review
"Thomas Hungerford's writing style is exceptionally clear and he explains precalculus concepts, principles and procedures with plenty of examples."
Review
"The Graphing Explorations and Investigations are well placed and helpful. (Hungerford?s CONTEMPORARY PRECALCULUS, 4th) is the best I?ve seen for integrating the calculator into a ?standard text?."
Review
'\"The explorations and investigations fit perfectly with the concepts. They motivate \'discovery\' ...\"'
Synopsis
Thomas Hungerford's CONTEMPORARY PRECALCULUS text is highly praised and well respected for its clear writing, outstanding applications problems, and integration of technology. Many adopters like the use of real data in examples and exercises, and they appreciate the flexibility of the book. This market-leading text is now accompanied by an outstanding array of innovative supplements that facilitate teaching and enhance learning.
About the Author
Thomas W. Hungerford received his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He has taught at the University of Washington and at Cleveland State University, and is now at St. Louis University. His research fields are algebra and mathematics education. He is the author of many notable books for undergraduate and graduate level courses. These include: ALGEBRA (Springer Verlag, Graduate Texts in Mathematics #73, 1974); ABSTRACT ALGEBRA: AN INTRODUCTION, Second Edition (Harcourt, 1997); MATHEMATICS WITH APPLICATIONS, Eighth Edition (Addison-Wesley, 2003; with M. Lial); and CONTEMPORARY PRECALCULUS: A GRAPHING APPROACH, Fourth Edition (Brooks/Cole, 2004).
Table of Contents
1.Basics. The Real Number System. Excursion: Decimal Representation of Real Numbers. Solving Equations Algebraically. Excursion: Absolute Value Equations. The Coordinate Plane. Lines. 2.Graphs and Technology. Graphs and Graphing Calculators. Solving Equations Graphically and Numerically. Applications of Equations/Optimization Applications. Linear Models. 3.Functions and Graphs. Functions. Functional Notation. Graphs of Functions. Graphs and Transformations. Excursion: Symmetry. Operations on Functions. Rates of Change. Inverse Functions. 4.Polynomial and Rational Functions. Quadratic Functions. Polynomial Functions. Excursion: Synthetic Division. Real Roots of Polynomials. Graphs of Polynomial Functions. Excursion: Polynomial Models. Rational Functions. Excursion: Other Rational Functions. Polynomial and Rational Inequalities. Excursion: Absolute Value Inequalities. Complex Numbers. Theory of Equations. 5.Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Radicals and Rational Exponents. Excursion: Radical Equations/ Exponential Functions. Excursion: Compound Interest and the Number e. Common and Natural Logarithmic Functions. Excursion: Logarithmic Functions to Other Bases. Algebraic Solutions of Exponential and Logarithmic Equations. Exponential, Logarithmic, and Other Models. 6.Trigonometric Functions. Angles and Their Measurement. The Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Functions. Algebra and Identities. Basic Graphs. Periodic Graphs and Harmonic Motion. Excursion: Other Trigonometric Graphs. Other Trigonometric Functions. 7.Triangle Trigonometry. Right Triangle Trigonometry. The Law of Cosines. The Law of Sines. 8.Trigonometric Identities and Equations. Basic Identities and Proofs. Addition and Subtraction Identities. Excursion: Lines and Angles. Other Identities. Trigonometric Equations. Inverse Trigonometric Functions. 9.Applications of Trigonometry. The Complex Plan and Polar Form for Complex Numbers. DeMoivres Theorem and nth Roots of Complex Numbers. Vectors in the Plane. The Dot Product. 10.Analytic Geometry. Plane Curves and Parametric Equations. Conic Sections. Translation and Rotations of Conics. Polar Coordinates. Polar Equations of Conics. 11.Systems of Equations. Systems of Equations in Two Variables. Large Systems of Linear Equations. Matrix methods for Square Systems. Systems of Nonlinear Equations. 12.Discrete Algebra. Sequences and Sums. Arithmetic Sequences. Geometric Sequence. The Binomial Theorem. Mathematics Induction.