College Algebra Enhanced With Graphing Utilities

9780130655929

0130655929

As professors at both an urban public university and a community college, Michael Sullivan and Michael Sullivan, III are aware of the varied needs of College Algebra students, ranging from those who have little mathematical background and a fear of mathematics courses, to those having a strong mathematical education and a high level of motivation. For some of your students, this will be their last course in mathematics, while others will further their mathematical education. This text is written for both groups. As a teacher, and as an author of precalculus, engineering calculus, finite math, and business calculus texts, Michael understands what students must know if they are to be focused and successful in upper level math courses. However, as a father of four, including the coauthor, he also understands the realities of college life. His co-author and son, Michael Sullivan III, believes passionately in the value of technology as a tool for learning that enhances understanding without sacrificing important skills. Together, both authors have taken great pains to ensure that the text contains solid, student-friendly examples and problems, as well as a clear and seamless writing style. We encourage you to share with us your experiences teaching from this text. In the Third Edition The third edition builds upon a strong foundation by integrating new features and techniques that further enhance student interest and involvement. The elements of previous editions that have proved successful remain, while many changes, some obvious, others subtle, have been made. One important benefit of authoring a successful series is the broad-based feedback upon which improvements and additions are ultimately based. Virtually every change to this edition is the result of thoughtful comments and suggestions made by colleagues and students who have used previous editions. This feedback has proved invaluable and has been used to make changes that improve the flow, usability, and accessibility of the text. For example, some topics have been moved to better reflect the way teachers approach the course and problems have been added where more practice was needed. The supplements package has been enhanced through upgrading traditional supplements and adding innovative media components. Reorganized Content for College Algebra Appendix Review Now expanded, this material appears in the beginning of the book as Chapter R Chapter 1 Scatter diagrams now appear in Section 2.2 Linear Functions and Models Section 1.2 has been split into two sections. In 3/e Section 1.2 contains point plotting, graphing equations on a graphing utility, and intercepts. Section 3.1 covers symmetry and graphing key equations. This adheres to the "just in time approach" by placing symmetry and key equations closer to functions. Section 1.3 from 2/e has been split into two sections--1.3 and 1.5. Section 1.5 has been expanded to include quadratic-in-form equations. Chapter 2 Section 2.2 now includes the discussion on scatter diagrams. Quadratic equations now appears earlier as part of Section 1.3. Chapter 3 Section 3.1 contains the discussion on symmetry and graphing key equations. Section 3.1 from 2/e is now two sections: Section 3.2 covers properties of functions, while Section 3.3 covers the library of functions and piecewise-defined functions. Chapter 4 This chapter contains Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.7 and 4.8 from 2/e. The section on rational functions has been split into two sections to accommodate a single lecture for each section. Chapter 5 This chapter contains the remaining sections of Chapter 4 from 2/e. Chapter 6 (Formerly Chapter 5) Section 6.2 now includes a discussion of basic exponential equat