Synopses & Reviews
Kaufmann and Schwitters have built this text's reputation on clear and concise exposition, numerous examples, and plentiful problem sets. This traditional text consistently reinforces the following common thread: learn a skill; use the skill to help solve equations; and then apply what you have learned to solve application problems. This simple, straightforward approach has helped many students grasp and apply fundamental problem solving skills necessary for future mathematics courses in an easy-to-read format. The Eighth Edition of INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA includes new and updated problems, revised content based on reviewer feedback and a new function in iLrn. This enhanced iLrn homework functionality was designed specifically for Kaufmann/Schwitters' users. Textbook-specific practice problems have been added to iLrn to provide additional, algorithmically-generated practice problems, along with useful support and assistance to solve the problems for students.
Review
"The quantity and quality of problems is excellent! There is also a nice range of problems that include basic, straightforward applications; as well as challenging problems that require students to synthesize ideas from several sections. I like the Kaufmann/Schwitters text so much that I've not even looked at another text lately."
Review
"This textbook is one of the most pedagogically sound texts I have seen. The ordering of topics is logical and sequential, which was one of the biggest draws for our department in the selection of the text."
Synopsis
Make math a snap with INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA. Using everyday language and lots of examples, Kaufman and Schwitters show you how to apply algebra concepts and ace the test. This volume also comes with Interactive Skillbuilder CD-ROM. This program is packed with over 8 hours of video instruction to help it all make sense. And if tutoring is in your future, with this edition you get 40 hours of free tutoring per week through Personal Tutor with SMARTHINKING, the live online tutoring program that connects you with a live algebra expert who has a copy of your book. Plus, you'll get the powerful web-based iLrn Homework program that makes your assignments a breeze and gives you step-by-step by help with problem-solving. Get the grade you need with INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA.
About the Author
Jerome E. Kaufmann received his Ed.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Virginia. Now a retired Professor of Mathematics from Western Illinois University, he has more than 30 years of teaching experience at the high school, two-year, and four-year college levels. He is the author of 45 college mathematics textbooks.Karen L. Schwitters graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in Mathematics. She earned an M.S. Ed. in Professional Secondary Education from Northern Illinois University. Schwitters is currently teaching at Seminole Community College in Sanford, Florida, where she is very active in multimedia instruction and is involved in planning distance learning courses with multimedia materials. She is an advocate for Enhanced WebAssign and uses it in her classroom. In 1998, she received the Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Technology Award.
Table of Contents
1. BASIC CONCEPTS AND PROPERTIES. Sets, Real Numbers, and Numerical Expressions. Operations with Real Numbers. Properties of Real Numbers and the Use of Exponents. Algebraic Expressions. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. 2. EQUATIONS, INEQUALITIES, AND PROBLEM SOLVING. Solving First-Degree Equations. Equations Involving Fractional Forms. Equations Involving Decimals and Problem Solving. Formulas. Inequalities. More on Inequalities and Problem Solving. Equations and Inequalities Involving Absolute Value. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. 3. POLYNOMIALS. Polynomials: Sums and Differences. Products and Quotients of Monomials. Multiplying Polynomials. Factoring: Use of the Distributive Property. Factoring: Difference of Two Squares and Sum or Difference of Two Cubes. Factoring Trinomials. Equations and Problem Solving. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. Cumulative Review Problem Set (Chapters 1-3). 4. RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS. Simplifying Rational Expressions. Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions. Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions. More on Rational Expressions and Complex Fractions. Dividing Polynomials. Fractional Equations. More Fractional Equations and Applications. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. 5. EXPONENTS AND RADICALS. Using Integers as Exponents. Roots and Radicals. Combining Radicals and Simplifying Radicals That Contain Variables. Products and Quotients Involving Radicals. Equations Involving Radicals. Merging Exponents and Roots. Scientific Notation. Summary. Review Problems Set. Test. 6. QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES. Complex Numbers. Quadratic Equations. Completing the Square. Quadratic Formula. More Quadratic Equations and Applications. Quadratic and Other Nonlinear Inequalities. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. Cumulative Review Problem Set (Chapters 1-6). 7. LINEAR EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES IN TWO VARIABLES. Rectangular Coordinate System and Linear Equations. Graphing Nonlinear Equations. Linear Inequalities in Two Variables. Distance and Slope. Determining the Equation of a Line. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. 8. CONIC SECTIONS. Graphing Parabolas. More Parabolas and Some Circles. Graphing Ellipses. Graphing Hyperbolas. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. 9. FUNCTIONS. Relations and Functions. Functions: Their Graphs and Applications. Graphing Made Easy Via Transformations. Composition of Functions. Inverse Functions. Direct and Inverse Variations. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. 10. SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS. Systems of Two Linear Equations in Two Variables. Elimination-by-Addition Method. Systems of Three Linear Equations in Three Variables. Matrix Approach to Solving Systems. Determinants. 3 x 3 Determinants and Systems of Three Linear Equations in Three Variables. Systems Involving Nonlinear Equations and Systems of Inequalities. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. Cumulative Review Problem Set (Chapters 1-10). 11. EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS. Exponents and Exponential Functions. Applications of Exponential Functions. Logarithms. Logarithmic Functions. Exponential Equations, Logarithmic Equations, and Problem Solving. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. 12. SEQUENCES AND BINOMIAL EXPANSION Arithmetic Sequences. Sums of Arithmetic Sequences. Geometric Sequences. Infinite Geometric Sequences. Binomial Expansions. Summary. Review Problem Set. Test. Appendixes. Prime Numbers and Operations with Fractions. Answers to Odd-Numbered Problems and all Chapter Review, Chapter Test, and Cumulative Review Problems. Index.