Fundamentals of College Algebra - Hardcover

1. FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF ALGEBRA. Real Numbers. Exponents and Radicals. Algebraic Expressions. Fractional Expressions. Chapter 1 Review Exercises. Chapter 1 Discussion Exercises. 2. EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES. Equations. Applied Problems. Quadratic Equations. Complex Numbers. Other Types of Equations. Inequalities. More on Inequalities. Chapter 2 Review Exercises. Chapter 2 Discussion Exercises. 3. FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS. Rectangular Coordinate Systems. Graphs of Equations. Lines. Definition of Function. Graphs of Functions. Quadratic Functions. Operations on Functions. Chapter 3 Review Exercises. Chapter 3 Discussion Exercises. 4. POLYNOMIAL AND RATIONAL FUNCTIONS. Polynomial Functions of Degree Greater Than 2. Properties of Division. Zeros of Polynomials. Complex and Rational Zeros of Polynomials. Rational Functions. Variation. Chapter 4 Review Exercises. Chapter 4 Discussion Exercises. 5. INVERSE, EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS. Inverse Functions. Exponential Functions. The Natural Exponential Function. Logarithmic Functions. Properties of Logarithms. Exponential and Logarithmic Equations. Chapter 5 Review Exercises. Chapter 5 Discussion Exercises. 6. SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES. Systems of Equations. Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables. Systems of Inequalities. Linear Programming. Systems of Linear Equations in More Than Two Variables. The Algebra of Matrices. Inverse of a Matrix. Determinants. Properties of Determinants. Partial Fractions. Chapter 6 Review Exercises. Chapter 6 Discussion Exercises. 7. SEQUENCES, SERIES, AND PROBABILITY. Infinite Sequences and Summation Notation. Arithmetic Sequences. Geometric Sequences. Mathematical Induction. The Binomial Theorem. Permutations. Distinguishable Permutations and Combinations. Probability. Chapter 7 Review Exercises. Chapter 7 Discussion Exercises. 8. TOPICS FROM ANALYTIC GEOMETRY. Parabolas. Ellipses. Hyperbolas. Appendix I: Common Graphs and Their Equations. Appendix II: A Summary of Graph Transformations. Answers to Selected Exercises. Index of Applications. Index.

This latest edition in the highly respected Swokowski/Cole precalculus series retains the elements that have made it so popular with instructors and students alike: its exposition is clear, the time-tested exercise sets feature a variety of applications, its uncluttered layout is appealing, and the difficulty level of problems is appropriate and consistent. The goal of this text is to prepare students for further courses in mathematics. Mathematically sound, FUNDAMENTALS OF COLLEGE ALGEBRA effectively prepares students for further courses in mathematics through its excellent, time-tested problem sets. This edition has been improved in many respects including the addition of technology inserts with specific keystrokes for the TI-83 Plus and the TI-86, ideal for students who are working with a calculator for the first time. The design of the text makes the technology inserts easily identifiable, so if a professor prefers to skip these sections it is simple to do so.