Amazon.com: College Algebra: Graphing and Data Analysis (9780130879165): Michael Sullivan, Michael Sullivan III: Books

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130879169 | ISBN-13: 978-0130879165 | Publication Date: August 16, 2001 | Edition: 2nd

The goal of this book is to motivate users by highlighting real people facing real challenges finding real solutions. This book features real workers at Motorola, along with hundreds of applications and real data sets highlighting the relevance and scope of activities that may be encountered in life. Users are expected to find functions that fit the data and both construct and implement elementary mathematical models.

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } The goal of this book is to motivate users by highlighting real people facing real challenges finding real solutions. This book features real workers at Motorola, along with hundreds of applications and real data sets highlighting the relevance and scope of activities that may be encountered in life. Users are expected to find functions that fit the data and both construct and implement elementary mathematical models.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The goal of this book is to motivate users by highlighting real people facing real challenges finding real solutions. This book features real workers at Motorola, along with hundreds of applications and real data sets highlighting the relevance and scope of activities that may be encountered in life. Users are expected to find functions that fit the data and both construct and implement elementary mathematical models.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

PREFACE TO THE INSTRUCTOR

As professors at an urban public university and a community college, respectively, Michael Sullivan and Michael Sullivan III are aware of the varied needs of College Algebra students, students ranging from those having little mathematical background and fear of mathematics courses to those who have had a strong mathematical education and are highly motivated. For same of your students, this will be their last course in mathematics, while others might decide to further their mathematical education. This text is written for both groups. As the author of precalculus, engineering calculus, finite math, and business calculus texts, and as a teacher, Michael understands what students must know if they are to be focused and successful in upper level math courses. However, as a father of four, including the co-author, he also understands the realities of college life. Michael Sullivan III believes passionately in the value of technology as a tool for learning that enhances understanding without sacrificing important skills. Both authors have taken great pains to insure that the text contains solid, student-friendly examples and problems, as well as a clear, seamless writing style. We encourage you to share with us your experiences teaching from this text.

In the Second Edition

The second edition builds upon a strong foundation by integrating new features and techniques that further enhance student interest and involvement. The elements of the previous edition that have proved successful remain, while many changes, some obvious, others subtle, have been made. A huge benefit of authoring a successful series is the broad-based feedback upon which improvements and additions are ultimately based. Virtually every change to this edition is the result of thoughtful comments and suggestions made by colleagues and students who have used the previous edition. This feedback has proved invaluable and has been used to make changes that improve the flow and usability of the text. For example, some topics have been moved to better reflect the way teachers approach the course. In other places, problems have been added where more practice was needed. One significant change is the inclusion of the "Field Trip to Motorola" chapter projects. These projects take the incorporation of real life in mathematics to a higher level. The supplements package has been enhanced through upgrading traditional supplements and adding innovative media components such as MathPak, an Integrated Learning Environment. MathPak combines all of the text's key supplements into one easy-to-navigate software package.

Changes to the Second Edition

Chapters 1 & 2

"Data in Ordered Pairs" has been moved from section 1.2 to section 2.3 when linear curve fitting is introduced.
Graphs of equations are now covered in two separate sections, 1.2 and 2.1.
Circles and Lines are now covered in stand-alone sections. "Lines" includes parallel and perpendicular lines.
Chapter 3 has been moved to Chapter 1, allowing a discussion of functions without interruption.
The section on inequalties now contains a discussion of interval notation.

Chapter 3

"More about Functions" has been divided into "Characteristics of Functions" and "Library of Function: Piecewise-defined Functions".

Chapters 4 & 5

Chapter 4 has been divided into two parts: Polynomial and Rational Functions and The Zeros of a Polynomial Function.
The section on Rational Functions has been split into two sections making the material more manageable.

Chapter 6

Chapter 5 of the 1st Edition. Certain types of exponential and logarithmic equations appear earlier in the chapter.

Chapter 7

Now includes two introductory sections on systems of linear equations.
The section on determinants includes a discussion on minors and cofactors.
Systems of Inequalties and Linear Programming are combined into one section.

Chapter 8

The first five sections of this Chapter in the 1st Edition.
The section on sequences utilizes the power of recursive functions and the graphing calculator to discuss amortization.

Chapter 9

The second part of Chapter 8 from the 1st Edition.
Now contains two sections on probability: classical and empirical.

Chapter 10

Chapter 6 of the 1st edition.
Asymptotes are introduced earlier in the section on hyperbolas.
Now discusses systems of nonlinear equations.

Appendix

Rewritten to provide a more thorough review of prerequisite material.
Can be used as a "just-in-time" review by students.

As a result of these changes, this edition will be an improved teaching device for professors and a better learning tool for students.

PREFACE TO THE STUDENT

As you begin your study of College Algebra, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of theorems, definitions, procedures, and equations that confront you. You may even wonder whether or not you can learn all of this material in the time allotted. These concerns are normal. Keep in mind that many elements of College Algebra are all around us as we go through our daily routines. May of the concepts you will learn to express mathematically, you already know intuitively. For many of you, this may be your last math course, while for others, it is just the first in a series of many. Either way, this text was written with you in mind. One of the co-authors, Michael Sullivan, has taught College Algebra courses for over thirty years. He is also the father of four college graduates, including this text's other co-author, who called home from time to time frustrated and with questions. We both know what you're going through. So we have written a text that doesn't overwhelm, or unnecessarily complicate College Algebra, but at the same time gives you the skills and practice you need to be successful.

This text is designed to help you the student, master the terminology and basic concepts of College Algebra. These aims have helped to shape every aspect of the book. Many learning aids are built into the format of the text to make your study of the material easier and more rewarding. This book is meant to be a "machine for learning," that can help you focus your efforts and get the most from the time and energy you invest.

Please do not hesitate to contact us through Prentice Hall with any suggestions or comments that would improve this text.

Best Wishes!

Michael Sullivan
Michael Sullivan, III