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

Guntram Mueller (Author), Ronald I. Brent (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0321269438 | ISBN-13: 978-0321269430 | Edition: 3

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

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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!”

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 3 edition (October 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321269438
• ISBN-13: 978-0321269430
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid if you need a refresher, unsuited if you need to learn it, August 16, 2006

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Just-In-Time Algebra and Trigonometry for Students of Calculus (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

If you have previously studied and largely understood algebra and trigonometry and just need a quick review, then this book is right for you. However, if you haven't studied these topics or didn't understand them the first time, then it will be of little value. The coverage is thorough in breadth, starting with the basics of adding and subtracting all types of numbers through logarithms, exponential functions and trigonometry. Only a few pages are devoted to each topic with exercises at the end of each section. Solutions to some of the exercises are given at the end, although in my opinion there should have been more.

While the explanations are short, to the extent that it is possible in a small number of pages, they are through in depth. In a section that I found interesting, the dy/dx notation for a derivative is used. However, knowledge of calculus is not required, the reader is simply being asked to algebraically solve for dy/dx rather than use any knowledge of what it represents. Used in the manner for which it was intended this book is an effective tool in the study of precalculus material.

Note: This book is nearly identical to the companion book, "Just-In-Time: Algebra & Trigonometry for Early Transcendental Calculus." It would be a waste of money to buy both.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for review, June 1, 2001

By 

Quikwitt "sdb_8" (portland, or United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just-in-Time Algebra and Trigonometry for Students of Calculus, 2/e (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

These guys are geniuses for presetnting complex information in a digestable, direct, witty, and accurate manner. Great for remembering forgotten trig and algebra. Awesome calc primer.

I salute a rare erudite math professor who can actually teach. Where can we find more? My school is full of passive aggressive math professors who know their stuff but cant teach.

thank you for the help

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow ... great book!!, April 11, 2006

By 

M. Boy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just-in-Time Algebra and Trigonometry for Students of Calculus, 2/e (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This book is totally great. I've seen very few books that explain mathematical concepts as well as this. The authors actually made math look easy by providing a lot of examples and writing in a more conversational, informal style (like the style in the Idiot's Guides series). It's a lot clearer than Barron's and Cliffs. Often there is a lot of humor added in.

As the title of this book indicates, this book is intended for calculus students in college who are struggling in their courses. However, for high school students who are using this book to teach themselves new concepts or using this as a tutorial, review, etc. I would recommend this as a supplement to another text. The book is somewhat brief and does not go through the advanced and nitty-gritry areas of algebra and trigonometry. This is intended to be a remedial "catch-up" book and is not targeted specifically towards the hig school student. But high school students, teachers, and curious readers will all find this book very helpful for making hard math look simple.