Precalculus: Graphs & Models

Three components contribute to a theme sustained throughout the Coburn/Herdlick Graphs and Models series: that of laying a firm foundation, building a solid framework, and providing strong connections. In the Graphs and Models texts, the authors combine their depth of experience with the conversational style and the wealth of applications that the Coburn/Herdlick texts have become known for. By combining a graphical approach to problem solving with algebraic methods, students learn how to relate their mathematical knowledge to the outside world. The authors use technology to solve the more true to life equations, to engage more applications, and to explore the more substantial questions involving graphical behavior. Benefiting from the feedback of hundreds of instructors and students across the country, Precalculus: Graphs & Models emphasizes connections in order to improve the level of student engagement in mathematics and increase their chances of success in precalculus and calculus.
The launch of the Coburn/Herdlick Graphs and Models series provides a significant leap forward in terms of online course management with McGraw-Hill’s new homework platform, Connect Math Hosted by ALEKS Corp. Math instructors served as digital contributors to choose the problems that will be available, authoring each algorithm and providing stepped out solutions that go into great detail and are focused on areas where students commonly make mistakes. From there, the ALEKS Corporation reviewed each algorithm to ensure accuracy. A unifying theme throughout the entire process was the involvement of the authors. Through each step, they provided feedback and guidance to the digital contributors to ensure that the content being developed digitally closely matched the textbook. The result is an online homework platform that provides superior content and feedback, allowing students to effectively learn the material being taught.

John Coburn grew up in the Hawaiian Islands, the seventh of sixteen children. He received his Associate of Arts degree in 1977 from Windward Community College, where he graduated with honors. In 1979 he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Hawaii. After being lured into the business world for five years, he returned to his first love, accepting a teaching position in high school mathematics where he was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 1987. Soon afterward, the decision was made to seek a Masters Degree, which he received two years later from the University of Oklahoma. For the last fifteen years, he has been teaching mathematics at the Florissant Valley campus of St. Louis Community College, where he is now a full professor. During his tenure there he has received numerous nominations as an outstanding teacher by the local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, two nominations to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and was recognized as Teacher of the year in 2004 by the Mathematics Educators of Greater St. Louis (MEGSL). He has made numerous presentations and local, state and national conferences on a wide variety of topics. His other loves include his family, music, athletics, games and all things beautiful, and hopes this love of life comes through in his writing, and serves to make the learning experience an interesting and engaging one for all students.