Algebra for College Students

by Angel, Allen R.

• ISBN13: 9780131410855
• ISBN10: 0131410857
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Algebra for College Students is typically used in a very comprehensive 1-semester&Intermediate Algebra course serving as a gateway course to other college-level mathematics courses.& The goal&of&the Intermediate Algebra course&is to provide students with the mathematical skills that are prerequisites for courses such as College Algebra, Elementary Statistics, Liberal-Arts Math and Mathematics for Teachers.& This Algebra for College students text may also be used in a 1-semester, lower-level College Algebra course as a prerequisite to Precalculus.

Table of Contents

Preface To the Student

Basic Concepts

Study Skills for Success in Mathematics, and Using a Calculator

Sets and Other Basic Concepts

Properties of and Operations with Real Numbers

Order of Operations Mid-Chapter Test: Sections 1.1

Exponents

Scientific Notation

Equations and Inequalities

Solving Linear Equations

Problem Solving and Using Formulas

Applications of Algebra Mid-Chapter Test: Sections 2.1

Additional Application Problems

Solving Linear Inequalities

Solving Equations and Inequalities Containing Absolute Values

Graphs and Functions

Graphs

Functions

Linear Functions: Graphs and Applications

The Slope-Intercept Form of a Linear Equation Mid-Chapter Test: Sections 3.1

The Point-Slope Form of a Linear Equation

The Algebra of Functions

Graphing Linear Inequalities

Systems of Equations and Inequalities

Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables

Systems of Linear Equations: Applications and Problem Solving Mid-Chapter Test: Sections 4.1

Solving Systems of Equations Using Matrices

Solving Systems of Equations Using Determinants and Cramers Rule

Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities

Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials

Multiplication of Polynomials

Division of Polynomials and Synthetic Division

Factoring a Monomial from a Polynomial and Factoring by Grouping Mid-Chapter Test: Sections 5.1

Factoring Trinomials

Special Factoring Formulas

A General Review of Factoring

Polynomial Equations

Rational Expressions and Equations

The Domains of Rational Functions and Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions

Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions

Complex Fractions

Solving Rational Equations Mid-Chapter Test: Sections 6.1

Rational Equations: Applications and Problem Solving

Variation

Roots, Radicals, and Complex Numbers

Roots and Radicals

Rational Exponents

Simplifying Radicals

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

This book was written for college students who have successfully completed a first course in elementary algebra. My primary goal was to write a book that students can read, understand, and enjoy. To achieve this goal I have used short sentences, clear explanations, and many detailed, worked-out examples. I have tried to make the book relevant to college students by using practical applications of algebra throughout the text. Features of the Text Full-Color Format.Color is used pedagogically in the following ways: Important definitions and procedures are color screened. Color screening or color type is used to make other important items stand out. Artwork is enhanced and clarified with use of multiple colors. The full-color format allows for easy identification of important features by students. The full-color format makes the text more appealing and interesting to students. Readability.One of the most important features of the text is its readability. The book is very readable, even for those with weak reading skills. Short, clear sentences are used and more easily recognized, and easy-to-understand language is used whenever possible. Accuracy.Accuracy in a mathematics text is essential. To ensure accuracy in this book, mathematicians from around the country have read the pages carefully for typographical errors and have checked all the answers. Connections.Many of our students do not thoroughly grasp new concepts the first time they are presented. In this text, we encourage students to make connections. That is, we introduce a concept, then later in the text briefly reintroduce it and build upon it. Often an important concept is used in many sections of the text. Students are reminded where the material was seen before, or where it will be used again. This also serves to emphasize the importance of the concept. Important concepts are also reinforced throughout the text in the Cumulative Review Exercises and Cumulative Review Tests. Chapter Opening Application.Each chapter begins with a real-life application related to the material covered in the chapter. By the time students complete the chapter, they should have the knowledge to work the problem. A Look Ahead.This feature at the beginning of each chapter gives students a preview of the chapter. This feature also indicates where this material will be used again in other chapters of the book. This material helps students see the connections between various topics in the book and the connection to real-world situations. The Use of Icons.At the beginning of each chapter and of each section, a variety of icons are illustrated. These icons are provided to tell students where they may be able to get extra help if needed. There are icons for theStudent's Solution Manual;theStudent's Study Guide; CDs and videotapes; Math Pro 4/5 Software;thePrentice Hall Tutor Center;and theAngel Website.Each of these items will be discussed shortly. Keyed Section Objectives.Each section opens with a list of skills that the student should learn in that section.The objectives are then keyed to the appropriate portions of the sections with red numbers such as1. Problem Solving.George Polya's five-step problem-solving procedure is discussed in Section 1.2. Throughout the book problem solving and Polya's problem-solving procedure are emphasized. Practical Applications.Practical applications of algebra are stressed throughout the text. Students need to learn how to translate application problems into algebraic symbols. The problem-solving approach used throughout this text gives students ample practice in setting up and solving application problems. Detailed, Worked-Out Examples.A wealth of examples have been worked out in a step-by-step, detailed manner. Important steps