Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: A Practical Approach

Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: A Practical Approach provides concise, manageable treatment of the mathematics required for the combined algebra course. While emphasizing problem solving and the real-world applications of algebra, the text provides solid coverage of core mathematical concepts and essential symbol manipulation skills. Furthermore, the text encourages students to use graphing technology while still requiring them to master pencil-and-paper techniques for certain tasks. Authors Craine, McGowan, and Ruben combine their experience and expertise as a math educator and author, a math researcher, and an authority on math anxiety to deliver a balanced, targeted text that enables instructors to cover all the material for the combined course in one text.

• Pedagogically, the instructional material is concise, clear, and presented in a style that encourages students to read all the material and complete all the exercises.
• Examples focus on a particular concept and include complete worked-out solutions. Examples presented with multiple solution methods?algebraic, graphical, and/or numerical?help students with different learning styles understand solutions from various aspects.
• Eduspace, powered by Blackboard, for the Craine/McGowan/Rubens Elementary and Intermediate Algebra course includes algorithmic exercises, test bank content in question pools, interactive tutorials and video explanations.

Note: Each chapter concludes with Key Concepts, Exploration, Review Exercises, and a Chapter Test. 1. Geometry and Numbers 1.1 Positive and Negative Numbers 1.2 Rates and Ratios 1.3 Exponents and Radicals 1.4 Perimeter and Area 2. Algebraic Expressions 2.1 Grouping and the Order of Operations 2.2 Expressions and Formulas 2.3 The Coordinate Plane 2.4 Representing Functions 3. Linear Equations 3.1 Solving Simple Equations 3.2 Simplifying Expressions to Solve Equations 3.3 The Problem-Solving Process 3.4 Arithmetic Sequences 4. Systems of Linear Equations 4.1 Slope and Rate of Change 4.2 Forms for Linear Equations 4.3 Graphical Solution of Systems of Equations 4.4 Algebraic Solution of Systems of Equations 4.5 Relationships Between Lines 5. More Applications of Linear Equations 5.1 Proportions 5.2 Percent and Percent Change 5.3 Mixtures and Investments 5.4 Systems of Three Equations 6. Exponents and Factoring 6.1 The Laws of Exponents 6.2 Products and Factors 6.3 Factoring by Grouping 6.4 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials 6.5 Factoring the Sum and Difference of Two Cubes 7. Quadratic Equations and Graphs 7.1 Solving Quadratic Equations 7.2 Parabolas 7.3 Algebraic Techniques for Solving Quadratic Equations 7.4 Applications That Lead to Quadratic Equations 7.5 Complex Numbers 8. Functions 8.1 What Is a Function? 8.2 Graphs of Functions 8.3 Important Functions 8.4 Modifying Basic Functions 9. Powers and Roots 9.1 Rational Exponents and Radicals 9.2 Power Functions and Their Graphs 9.3 Direct Variation 9.4 Regression 10. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 10.1 Exponential Growth 10.2 Exponential Decay 10.3 Logarithms 10.4 Logarithmic Scales 10.5 The Number e and the Natural Logarithm 11. Rational Expressions and Functions 11.1 Rational Expressions 11.2 Rational Functions and Their Graphs 11.3 Solving Rational Equations 11.4 Indirect Variation 11.5 Division of Polynomials 12. Inequalities 12.1 Inequalities and the Number Line 12.2 Solving Nonlinear Inequalities by Graphing 12.3 Inequalities in Two Variables; Systems A. Transition to Intermediate Algebra B. Friendly Windows for Graphing Calculators Answers to Exercises Index