Beginning Algebra

Gustafson and Frisk's books support their strongly held beliefs that mathematicians should maintain high expectations of their students and that every student has the right to every possible opportunity to succeed. Beginning Algebra, Fourth Edition presents a mid-level of mathematical rigor while supporting the student with careful pedagogy. The Fourth Edition effectively prepares students for their next mathematics course, as it presents all the topics associated with a first course in algebra and provides students with the basic skills they'll need in order to succeed in the next course. The structure of each section, the structure of the book, and the various pedagogical features all help students master text. Within each section careful explanation of concepts and processes begins with material the student already knows, then new material is introduced, and in a step-by-step fashion, the new material is built upon in complexity with each successive example. As the book progresses, the mathematical language matures, examples grow less structured, and exercises grow more varied, all on the assumption that the student is growing in mathematical sophistication and ability, as well. The book's mathematical concepts are motivated by need and explained through discussion and example; applications are abundant. Beginning with the first chapter and continuing throughout the text, students must apply newly acquired skills to solve word problems. Each exercise set is followed by a group of review problems.

R. David Gustafson is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Rock Valley College in Illinois and has also taught extensively at Rockford College and Beloit College. He is coauthor of several best-selling mathematics textbooks, including Gustafson/Frisk/Hughes' COLLEGE ALGEBRA, Gustafson/Karr/Massey's BEGINNING ALGEBRA, INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA, BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA, BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA: A COMBINED APPROACH, and the Tussy/Gustafson and Tussy/Gustafson/Koenig developmental mathematics series. His numerous professional honors include Rock Valley Teacher of the Year and Rockford's Outstanding Educator of the Year. He has been very active in AMATYC as a Midwest Vice-president and has been President of IMACC, AMATYC's Illinois affiliate. He earned a Master of Arts from Rockford College in Illinois, as well as a Master of Science from Northern Illinois University.