Precalculus (with BCA/iLrn Tutorial and InfoTrac) [Hardcover]

J. Douglas Faires (Author), James DeFranza (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 5, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0534462790 | ISBN-13: 978-0534462796 | Edition: 3

Precalculus presents the course as it was intended to be taught, providing students with an integrated review of algebra and trigonometry while focusing on essential calculus concepts. Faires and DeFranza wrote this book because they believe students too often leave a precalculus class unprepared to go on to calculus. Although students who complete a precalculus course generally have had plenty of algebra and trigonometry review, they often lack the grounding in analysis and graphing necessary to make the transition to calculus. Faires and DeFranza's PRECALCULUS concentrates on teaching the essentials of what a student needs to fulfill their precalculus requirement and to fully prepare them to succeed in calculus. This streamlined text provides all the mathematics that students need--it doesn't bog them down in review, or overwhelm them with too much, too soon. And the authors have been careful to keep this book, unlike many of the precalculus books on the market, at a length that can be covered in one term.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is one of the best written textbooks I have seen. The writing is not only clear, but is remarkably comprehensible. I could find no example in the draft that I could point to and state that a typical student would have difficulty understanding it. The concepts are well arranged, and the text builds upon ideas in a well-connected sequence. Particularly noteworthy is outstanding explanation of the interrelationship among the various conic sections"



"I would definitely recommend adopting this text. It is well written, focused on what the student needs to prepare for calculus, exceptionally well organized, and addresses the use of technology in the most intelligent manner of any text I?ve seen."

"The length of books published recently is almost absurd, because it does not help students concentrate on the main concepts, but rather diffuses their thoughts in nice picture and/or unneccessary numbers of examples. (Faires and DeFranza?s) approach is refreshing."

About the Author

J. Douglas Faires is a Professor of Mathematics at Youngstown State University. His research interests include analysis, numerical analysis, and mathematics history. Dr. Faires has won many awards, including Outstanding College-University Teacher of Mathematics, Ohio Section of MAA (1996) and Youngstown State University, Distinguished Professor for Teaching (1995-1996).

Jim DeFranza is a Professor of Mathematics at St. Lawrence University. His research interests are in analysis, sequence space theory and summability. He received his PhD from Kent State University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 3 edition (November 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534462790
• ISBN-13: 978-0534462796
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,378,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PreCalculus Text To Consider., May 20, 2003

By 

Tiger Chan (Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Precalculus (School & Library Binding)

Hi! I am a math teacher in Malaysia. For your information we have
Precalculus texts written in our own native language which has
about 200 pages. I have been searching for some American
preCalculus texts which are short. When I find this title by
Faires I acquired a copy and see that it has about 400 pages. Our
texts cover most topics in Algebra & Trigonometry because we have
a different syllabus where we don't make use of a graphing
calculator, naturally our math texts look short and lean.

I have given this Faires PreCalculus text 5 stars for many
reasons. First, it is a short book about 400 pages (which most
other Precalculus texts have more then 800 pages). That means
American students will find it light enough to carry around.
Second, it covers topics which are only necessary as preparation
for Calculus. Third, students who are already familiar with
Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra can skip materials
that would be repetitive and can concentrate more time on what
truely are materials for success in future Calculus/Advanced Math
courses. This book tells what to learn and master thoroughly.

As for other standard PreCalculus texts, they cover most topics
in College Alegebra & Trigonometry, which includes partial
fractions and trigonometric identity like sin A + sin B =
2sin(1/2)(A+B)cos(1/2)(A-B). This Faires Precalculus text has no
topic on partial fractions, as though instructors who choose to
adopt this text would prefer not to spend time on this yet,
postponing this topic until students encounter techniques of
intergration in Calculus. I see why more time should be spent on
PreCalulus learning how to manipulate algebraic expressions
dealing with inequalities and absolute values, which are very
much needed in understanding the concepts of Limits in Calculus
and finding zeros of complicated polynomials are that important
in determining minimum and maximum values...etc.

The pro is. when this Faires text is adopted. students are
guided to where they are heading to unsure success in Calculus
(the reason for a Precalculus course). The con is, there wiil be
students of intermediate level who will miss many topics as found
in other standard PreCalculus texts, as though they will never be
taught, for example, how the identity "sin A + sin B" works. You
gonna miss many interesting topics in College Alegebra &
Trigonometry, it is that when you spend most of your time on
selected topics. If your instructor adopts this book, then you
need to have a companion book like Dugopolski's Precalculus text
(which you need to buy extra to know ALL of Precalculus Alegebra
Trigonometry topics). This is because Faires PreCalculus covers
just the essentials that FOCUS ON SKILLS you need to succeed in
Calculus.

My suggestion is, if your instructor adopts other standard
PreCalculus text, buy this text as a helper. It really can help
you to gain much confidence in choosing what to expect and spend
more time on necessary topics. But, if your instructor adopts
this text, and you seem worried that this is a DIFFICULT text,
then do get a helper ( other text, because its actually wise to
learn by referring to many texts just in any learning process).
Buy an additional text (if you are low on budget, get a used copy
, its worth for the sake of education), any other Precalculus
text that suits you when you need more drill practices or
remedial revisions.

Don't blame Faires text. Its good for its purpose. Work hard and
have it in both ways. Mathematics takes a lot of patience and
practice. It is also fun to read many texts and compare,
surprisingly you learn better this way than you thought.

I particularly like Faires Precalculus because of the exercise
sets. No need to worry. There are simple exercises too, only
that this text incorporates some challenging exercises specially
designed for the well-prepared students. Even if you cannot do
them, it doesn't mean that you gonna fail. Faires text has enough
of exercises to guarantee a success. It is a great headstart in
your study of Calculus. Good luck!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PreCalculus Text To Consider., May 20, 2003

By 

Tiger Chan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Precalculus (School & Library Binding)

Hi! I am a math teacher in Malaysia. For your information we have
Precalculus texts written in our own native language which has
about 200 pages. I have been searching for some American
preCalculus texts which are short. When I find this title by
Faires I acquired a copy and see that it has about 400 pages. Our
texts cover most topics in Algebra & Trigonometry because we have
a different syllabus where we don't make use of a graphing
calculator, naturally our math texts look short and lean.

I have given this Faires PreCalculus text 5 stars for many
reasons. First, it is a short book about 400 pages (which most
other Precalculus texts have more then 800 pages). That means
American students will find it light enough to carry around.
Second, it covers topics which are only necessary as preparation
for Calculus. Third, students who are already familiar with
Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra can skip materials
that would be repetitive and can concentrate more time on what
truely are materials for success in future Calculus/Advanced Math
courses. This book tells what to learn and master thoroughly.

As for other standard PreCalculus texts, they cover most topics
in College Alegebra & Trigonometry, which includes partial
fractions and trigonometric identity like sin A + sin B =
2sin(1/2)(A+B)cos(1/2)(A-B). This Faires Precalculus text has no
topic on partial fractions, as though instructors who choose to
adopt this text would prefer not to spend time on this yet,
postponing this topic until students encounter techniques of
intergration in Calculus. I see why more time should be spent on
PreCalulus learning how to manipulate algebraic expressions
dealing with inequalities and absolute values, which are very
much needed in understanding the concepts of Limits in Calculus
and finding zeros of complicated polynomials are that important
in determining minimum and maximum values...etc.

The pro is. when this Faires text is adopted. students are
guided to where they are heading to unsure success in Calculus
(the reason for a Precalculus course). The con is, there wiil be
students of intermediate level who will miss many topics as found
in other standard PreCalculus texts, as though they will never be
taught, for example, how the identity "sin A + sin B" works. You
gonna miss many interesting topics in College Alegebra &
Trigonometry, it is that when you spend most of your time on
selected topics. If your instructor adopts this book, then you
need to have a companion book like Dugopolski's Precalculus text
(which you need to buy extra to know ALL of Precalculus Alegebra
Trigonometry topics). This is because Faires PreCalculus covers
just the essentials that FOCUS ON SKILLS you need to succeed in
Calculus.

My suggestion is, if your instructor adopts other standard
PreCalculus text, buy this text as a helper. It really can help
you to gain much confidence in choosing what to expect and spend
more time on necessary topics. But, if your instructor adopts
this text, and you seem worried that this is a DIFFICULT text,
then do get a helper ( other text, because its actually wise to
learn by referring to many texts just in any learning process).
Buy an additional text (if you are low on budget, get a used copy
, its worth for the sake of education), any other Precalculus
text that suits you when you need more drill practices or
remedial revisions.

Don't blame Faires text. Its good for its purpose. Work hard and
have it in both ways. Mathematics takes a lot of patience and
practice. It is also fun to read many texts and compare,
surprisingly you learn better this way than you thought.

I particularly like Faires Precalculus because of the exercise
sets. No need to worry. There are simple exercises too, only
that this text incorporates some challenging exercises specially
designed for the well-prepared students. Even if you cannot do
them, it doesn't mean that you gonna fail. Faires text has enough
of exercises to guarantee a success. It is a great headstart in
your study of Calculus. Good luck!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple and to the Point, August 12, 2010

By 

IGUANAE CHIC - See all my reviews

This review is from: Precalculus (Hardcover)

I really liked this book and I am hanging onto my copy as I advance into Calculus. This book doesn't waste time with alot of extra nonsense jargon and gets right to the point with formulas, etc. I think it is imperative to get the student solutions manual with it for further explanation of some problems if needed.