Synopses & Reviews
Popular with and respected by instructors and students interested in a modeling approach, graphing, or graphing calculators, this book incorporates the benefits of technology and the philosophy of the reform movement into intermediate algebra. In keeping with the NCTM and AMATYC standards, the authors introduce the techniques of algebra in the context of simple applications. Early and consistent emphasis on functions and graphing helps to develop mathematical models, and graphing calculators are incorporated wherever appropriate.
Synopsis
In this book the authors introduce the techniques of algebra in the context of simple applications. Early and consistent emphasis on functions and graphing help to develop mathematical models.Graphing calculators are incorporated throughout the book to emphasize concepts. Each book includes an Interactive Video SkillBuilder CD featuring 8 hours of digitized video, tutorial exercises by concept, and 10-question section-by-section web quizzes.
About the Author
Kathy Yoshiwara was born in Derby in the UK and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. She attended Michigan State University, where she studied Greek and mathematics. She did graduate work at UCLA and earned an MA in mathematics in 1977. She left UCLA in 1979 to join the faculty at Pierce College, where she has been teaching ever since, except for the 1988-1999 academic year, when she taught at Barnsley College in Yorkshire (northern England) on a Fulbright teaching exchange. She is the author or co-author of three mathematics textbooks and is a member of the Calculus Consortium for Higher Education, where she is part of the writing team for their Precalculus text. She is a member of the MAA (Mathematical Association of America) and currently serves on the Committee for Curriculum Renewal and the First Two Years (CRAFTY). In 1996 she received the Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics from the Southern California Section of the MAA. She is married to Bruce Yoshiwara and benefits from his expertise in all things mathematical. Bruce Yoshiwara has taught full-time at L.A. Pierce College since 1989 (except for the 1998-1999 academic year, when he and his wife Katherine Yoshiwara both had Fulbright Teacher Exchange positions at Barnsley College, England). He is co-author (Katherine is the principal author) of three algebra and pre-algebra textbooks. He serves on the Mathematical Association of American (MAA) Committee on Computers in Mathematics Education and is a consultant for Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching). Bruce is editor of the Pierce Math Department newsletter and maintains the department web page.
Table of Contents
1. LINEAR MODELS. Some Examples of Linear Models. Using A Graphing Calculator. Slope. Equations of Lines. Lines of Best Fit. Additional Properties of Lines. 2. APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR MODELS. Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables. Solving Systems by Algebraic Methods. Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables. Solving Linear Systems Using Matrices. Linear Inequalities in Two Variables. 3. QUADRATIC MODELS. Extraction of Roots. Some Examples of Quadratic Models. Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring. Graphing Parabolas; Special Cases. Completing the Square. Quadratic Formula. 4. APPLICATIONS OF QUADRATIC MODELS. Graphing Parabolas; the General Case. Curve Fitting. Problem Solving. Quadratic Inequalities. Solving Quadratic Inequalities Algebraically. 5. FUNCTIONS AND THEIR GRAPHS. Definitions and Notation. Graphs of Functions. Some Basic Graphs. Variation. Functions as Mathematical Models. 6. POWERS AND ROOTS. Integer Exponents. Roots and Radicals. Rational Exponents. The Distance and Midpoint Formulas. Working with Radicals. Radical Equations. 7. EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS. Exponential Growth and Decay. Exponential Functions. Logarithms. Logarithmic Functions. Properties of Logarithms. The Natural Base. 8. POLYNOMIAL AND RATIONAL FUNCTION. Polynomial Functions. Rational Functions. Operations on Algebraic Fractions. More Operations on Algebraic Fractions. Equations that Include Algebraic Fractions. 9. SEQUENCES AND SERIES. Sequences. Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences. Series. 10. CONIC SECTIONS. Conic Sections. Translated Conics. Systems of Quadratic Equations. Appendix A: Review Topics. Appendix B: The Number System/Answers to Odd-Numbered Problems. Index.