Just-In-Time Algebra and Trigonometry for Students of Calculus (3rd Edition)

Strong Algebra and Trigonometry skills are crucial to success in calculus. This text is designed to bolster these skills while students study calculus. As students make their way through the calculus course, this supplemental text shows them the relevant algebra or trigonometry topics and points out potential problem spots. The table of contents is organized so that the algebra and trigonometry topics are arranged in the order in which they are needed for calculus. The exponential, log, and inverse trigonometric functions are given in the appendices, to be used as the need arises in the particular calculus text used in the course.

Topics include:

1. Numbers and Their Disguises
2. Completing the Square

3. Solving Equations
4. Functions and Their Graphs

5. Changing the Form of a Function

6. Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

7. Cyclic Phenomena: The Six Basic Trigonometric Functions
8. Composition and Decomposition of Functions
9. Equations of Degree 1 Revisited
10. Word Problems

11. Trigonometric Identities

Guntram B. Mueller received his Ph.D. in Mathematics (Theory of Functions of Several Complex Variables) in 1971 from the University of Notre Dame. He has taught Calculus many times and is very familiar with the typical strengths and weaknesses in the backgrounds of his students. That experience is what guided him, in cooperation with Dr. Ron Brent, in writing the Just-in-Time series. His advice? Buy the book! It's got just what you need, just in time.

Ronald I. Brent is a Professor of Mathematics at University of Massachusetts, Lowell, where he has taught since 1987. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Brent is the author of many publications, including three Just-In-Time mathematics texts. His main advice to his calculus students is: “Work on your homework as if your life in this course depends upon it! Because it does!”