Precalculus Concepts, Preliminary Edition [Paperback]

Warren Esty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0132616947 | ISBN-13: 978-0132616942 | Edition: 1

In trying to develop fluency in the abstract and symbolic language of algebra to ensure that readers learn, understand, and think mathematical thoughts, this text has the goal of enabling students to read, write, think and apply mathematics, and of giving students command of the facts and methods of algebra and trigonometry. The text emphasizes the appropriate and creative use of technology, but even more, the understanding of concepts and symbolism. In general, the goals for the text are to equip students for calculus and to promote understanding and retention of mathematical thoughts.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The goal of this text is to develop the students' ability to read, write, think and do mathematics and to give the student command of the facts and methods of algebra and trigonometry. The text emphasizes the appropriate and creative use of technology, but even more, the understanding of concepts and symbolism. In general, the goals of the text are to equip students for calculus and to promote understanding and retention of mathematical thoughts.

From the Back Cover

Takes a unique approach by developing fluency in the abstract and symbolic language of algebra to ensure that readers learn, understand, and think mathematical thoughts. The goal of this book is to develop the readers' ability to read, write, think and do mathematics. The book emphasizes the appropriate and creative use of technology, but even more, the understanding of concepts and symbolism. Graphing Calculators are required. The usual topics required to prepare students for calculus are covered. However, the text is different because it identifies and emphasizes the concepts of algebra that will remain essential for students to grasp regardless of what present or future calculators can do. To this end, the symbolic language is explicitly studied because it is the way in which thoughts about algebraic processes are best expressed and remembered. Numerous specially designed examples and problems focus on key concepts. This unique approach improves: conceptualization and understanding; the rate of current and future mathematics learning; the ability to work with problems in which genuinely algebraic concepts are essential, such as word problems and retention.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (August 6, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0132616947
• ISBN-13: 978-0132616942
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,450,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book before you take another math course, August 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Precalculus Concepts, Preliminary Edition (Paperback)

If you are getting ready to take calculus and are not in a math oriented major read this book. This text will clearly spell out the ideas which are implied but not explicitly stated, in most math textbooks. There are many of us who have to take a calculus sequence but really won't be using that much higher math in our major, economics, business, etc. This book definitely makes the math more manageable. It explains the concepts hidden in the fundamentals and will ultimately save you time as you learn new material. How many of you can handle a numeric problem but not a word problem? The reason is concepts, something all math majors quickly catch onto. Why plod along plugging in numbers. Sure we can get the answers eventually, but why waste the effort. Read this book and see how the majors think and work out problems. It will give you an insiders point of view!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Precalculus book on the market, September 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Precalculus Concepts, Preliminary Edition (Paperback)

As an MSU student, I found Precalculus concepts to be the most effective math book that I have ever used. As with few math books, the problems within were very easy to understand. Which, for me, was the first time I've ever had a math class that I didn't have to memorize equations. The reason being, is that the book is written so well that you UNDERSTAND the concepts innediately and don't have to spend alot of wasted time studying or memorizing. If you haven't had any math for a while, I would highly recomend this book to you. It has such a broad range of study that really ties together the most important math skills one needs to know, Algebra and Trig. It is an excelent review book and will assist you greatly if you are preparing for math at a collegiate level or if you just want to brush up alittle.