Intermediate Algebra : Connecting Concepts Through Applications

INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA: CONNECTING CONCEPTS THROUGH APPLICATIONS shows students how to apply traditional mathematical skills in real-world contexts. The emphasis on skill building and applications engages students as they master concepts, problem solving, and communication skills. It modifies the rule of four, integrating algebraic techniques, graphing, the use of data in tables, and writing sentences to communicate solutions to application problems. The authors have developed several key ideas to make concepts real and vivid for students. First, the authors integrate applications, drawing on real-world data to show students why they need to know and how to apply math. The applications help students develop the skills needed to explain the meaning of answers in the context of the application. Second, they emphasize strong algebra skills. These skills support the applications and enhance student comprehension. Third, the authors use an eyeball best-fit approach to modeling. Doing models by hand helps students focus on the characteristics of each function type. Fourth, the text underscores the importance of graphs and graphing. Students learn graphing by hand, while the graphing calculator is used to display real-life data problems. In short, INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA: CONNECTING CONCEPTS THROUGH APPLICATIONS takes an application-driven approach to algebra, using appropriate calculator technology as students master algebraic concepts and skills.

Mark Clark graduated from California State University, Long Beach, and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Mathematics. A full-time associate professor at Palomar College, since 1996, Mark is committed to teaching using applications and technology to help students understand mathematics in context and communicate results clearly. Intermediate algebra is one of his favorite courses to teach and he continues to teach several sections of this course each year. He is co-author of BEGINNING ALGEBRA: CONNECTING CONCEPTS THROUGH APPLICATIONS, INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA: CONNECTING CONCEPTS THROUGH APPLICATIONS, and BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA: CONNECTING CONCEPTS THROUGH APPLICATIONS published by Cengage. Mark shares his passion for using applications to teach mathematical concepts by delivering workshops and talks to other instructors at local and national conferences.

Cynthia (Cindy) Anfinson graduated from UCSD's Revelle College in 1985, summa cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She went to graduate school at Cornell University under the Army Science and Technology Graduate Fellowship. She graduated from Cornell in 1989 with a Master of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics. She is currently an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Palomar College and has been teaching there since 1995. Cindy Anfinson was a finalist in Palomar College's 2002 Distinguished Faculty Award.