Essentials of College Algebra

by Aufmann, Richard N.; Nation, Richard D.

• ISBN13: 9780618480968
• ISBN10: 061848096X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-01-11
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

This text from the author team of Aufmann and Nation offers the same engaging style and support for students as the Aufmann College Algebra series, all in a brief format that covers the entire course in a single semester. Interactive learning techniques incorporated throughout the text help students better understand concepts, focus their study habits, and achieve greater success. In this First Edition, the authors have also integrated many components into the textbook to help students diagnose and remediate weak algebra skills. Extra support also comes from the Aufmann Interactive Method, featuringTry Exercisesthat allow students to practice math as it is presented and to more easily study for tests. Prepare for the Next Section Exercisesappear at the end of exercises and are specifically written to review prerequisite skills the student will need in the next section. Answers at the end of the text and a reference section help students review if they get a wrong answer. Review Notescover prerequisite skills to help students without the necessary knowledge to understand important concepts. These example-specific notes direct students to the appropriate pages where they can practice and review the skill, thus decreasing frustration and increasing success. Interactive Reading Support Questionsengage students in learning mathematics and encourage them to think critically. Visualize the Solutiongraphics are often paired withAlgebraic Solutionsto assist visual learners in understanding concepts. Focus on Problem Solvingfeatures at the beginning of each chapter review then demonstrate various strategies used by successful problem solvers. Eduspace,Houghton Mifflin's online learning tool powered by Blackboard, is a customizable, powerful and interactive platform that provides instructors with text-specific online courses and content.

Table of Contents

Note: Each chapter includes a Summary, True/False Exercises, Review Exercises, and a Test

Chapters 1–6 include Cumulative Review Exercises

Preliminary Concepts

The Real Number System

Integer and Rational Number Exponents

Polynomials

Rational Expressions

Complex Numbers Exploring Concepts with Technology: Can You Trust Your Calculator?

Equations and Inequalities

Linear and Absolute Value Equations

Formulas and Applications

Quadratic Equations

Other Types of Equations

Inequalities Exploring Concepts with Technology: Use a Graphing Calculator to Solve Equations

Functions and Graphs

A Two-Dimensional Coordinate System and Graphs

Introduction to Functions

Linear Functions

Quadratic Functions

Properties of Graphs

The Algebra of Functions Exploring Concepts with Technology: Graphing Piecewise Functions with a Graphing Calculator

Polynomial and Rational Functions

The Remainder Theorem and the Factor Theorem

Polynomial Functions of Higher Degree

Zeros of Polynomial Functions

The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

Graphs of Rational Functions and Their Applications Exploring Concepts with Technology: Finding Zeros of a Polynomial Using Mathematica

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Inverse Functions

Exponential Functions and Their Applications

Logarithmic Functions and Their Applications

Logarithms and Logarithmic Scales

Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

Exponential Growth and Decay Exploring Concepts with Technology: Using a Semilog Graph to Model Exponential Decay

Systems Of Equations

Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Systems of Linear Equations in More Than Two Variables

Inequalities in Two Variables and Systems of Inequalities Exploring Concepts with Technology: Ill-Conditioned Systems of Equations

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.