KEY MESSAGE: Gary Rockswold and Terry Krieger focus on teaching algebra in context, giving readers realistic and convincing answers to the perennial question, ";When will I ever use this?"; The authors’ consistent use of real data, graphs, and tables throughout the examples and exercise sets gives meaning to the numbers and equations as readers encounter them. This new edition further enhances Rockswold and Krieger’s focus on math in the real world with new features and updated applications to engage today’s readers. KEY TOPICS: Introduction to Algebra; Linear Equations and inequalities; Graphing Equations; Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables; Polynomials and Exponents; Factoring Polynomials and Solving Equations; Introduction to Rational Expressions; Linear Functions and Models; Matrices and Systems of Linear Equations; Radical Expressions and Functi
Gary Rockswold is a professor of mathematics at Minnesota State University—Mankato. He received his BA in mathematics and physics from St. Olaf College and his Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Iowa State. He was elected to the honor societies of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Xi. He has been a principal investigator at the Minnesota Supercomputer Institute and has published several research articles discussing parallel processing and numerical analysis. He is also the author or coauthor of more than 10 current textbooks. At regional and national meetings, he has given numerous presentations related to teaching mathematics. During his thirty-five-year career, Gary has taught mathematics, physical science, astronomy, and computer science at a variety of student levels, ranging from junior high to graduate. Making mathematics meaningful and relevant for students at the developmental and precalculus levels is of special interest to him. He also has a passion for professing mathematics and for communicating the amazing impact that mathematics has on our society.
Terry Krieger has taught mathematics for over fifteen years at the middle school, high school, vocational, community college, and university levels. He graduated summa cum laude from Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota with a BA in secondary mathematics education. He received his MA in mathematics from Minnesota State University—Mankato. In addition to his teaching experience in the United States, Terry has taught mathematics in Tasmania, Australia and in a rural school in Swaziland, Africa, where he served as a Peace Corps volunteer. Outside of teaching, Terry enjoys wilderness camping, trout fishing and home improvement projects. His past experiences include running two marathons, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and watching the sunset from the banks of the Nile. He currently resides in Rochester, Minnesota with his wife and family. Terry has been involved with various aspects of mathematics textbook publication for more than ten years.
