Precalculus: Functions and Graphs (with CengageNOW Printed Access Card) (Hardcover)

by Earl Swokowski (Author), Jeffery Cole (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The writing is definitely at the right level for our students, with a good mix of explanation, examples, and theorems."

"Students seem to find this book very easy to read. In fact this is one of the few books in any math subject that I have gotten students to read on a consistent basis.""The design/feel of this book contributes greatly to it readability. The color coding schemes and the chart material makes important facts/concepts easy for students to pick out."

"The exercises are great. I like the variety (different type and difficulty) with which the author engages the student based on the concepts in the section. The variety of application exercises is wonderful."

Product Description
Clear explanations, an uncluttered and appealing layout, and examples and exercises featuring a variety of real-life applications have made this text popular among students year after year. This latest edition of Swokowski and Cole's PRECALCULUS: FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS retains these features. The problems have been consistently praised for being at just the right level for precalculus students like you. The book also provides calculator examples, including specific keystrokes that show you how to use various graphing calculators to solve problems more quickly. Perhaps most important-this book effectively prepares you for further courses in mathematics.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 992 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 11 edition (March 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0495108375
• ISBN-13: 978-0495108375
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,649 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pre-Calculus For the Calculus Student, April 27, 2001

By	Nathan Cohen (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Precalculus: Functions and Graphs (Hardcover)

Swokowski's problems are many. The most prevelant I have encountered in using this book is the fact that he often leaves much up to the reader. Often he will give an example of some property and then leave it up to the reader to figure out how he obtained his solution. Other times he will give an abstract explanation of a solution, and leave it up to the reader to develop a practical method.

This is simply unacceptable. While, for real science majors, it is of utmost importance to develop inductive reasoning it's rediculous to do so this overtly.

I am an exceptional mathematical student, with a major focusing on mathematics, and I often have to spend hours deciphering Swokowski's explanations. Truly, this book is a great exercise for any lover of riddles, but I did not pay to be puzzled, I paid to be taught.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Room for improvement., December 25, 2004

By	J. L. Davis (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Precalculus: Functions and Graphs (with CD-ROM) (Hardcover)

I have a BS in mathematics and I found this book---both as a student and as a tutor---to be less-than helpful for calculus preparation.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible book., November 4, 2004

By	Shaun Cummings (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Precalculus: Functions and Graphs (with CD-ROM) (Hardcover)

Since the last reviewer felt it necessary to single out those of us who dislike this book as "unable", I'll make it known that I have been an exemplary math student throughout my academic career and I have a well earned 93% average in my precalculus class.

The discussion in this book is anything but "lucid." The authors will spend whole pages covering basic topics (that any third grade student should understand) and then brush through the new material in one unintelligible paragraph, an incomprehensible definition or proof and a maximum of two examples. Even the calculator instructions given are a chore to read (I stopped doing so several weeks ago, preferring the manual included with my calculator, which says more than enough).

If you know in advance that your professor uses this book, take a different class (unless your professor is one of the 2% of them who will actually cover the material in class). If its already too late, I suggest you invest in some clear, concise study aids.