Overview
Main description
Three components contribute to a theme sustained throughout the Coburn Series: that of laying a firm foundation, building a solid framework, and providing strong connections. Not only does Coburn present a sound problem-solving process to teach students to recognize a problem, organize a procedure, and formulate a solution, the text encourages students to see beyond procedures in an effort to gain a greater understanding of the big ideas behind mathematical concepts.
Written in a readable, yet mathematically mature manner appropriate for college algebra level students, Coburn’s College Algebra Essentials uses narrative, extensive examples, and a range of exercises to connect seemingly disparate mathematical topics into a cohesive whole. Coburn’s hallmark applications are born out of the author’s extensive experiences in and outside the classroom, and appeal to the vast diversity of students and teaching methods in this course area.
Benefiting from the feedback of hundreds of instructors and students across the country, College Algebra Essentials second edition, continues to emphasize connections in order to improve the level of student engagement in mathematics and increase their chances of success in college algebra.
Table of contents
Chapter R: A Review of Basic Concepts and SkillsR-1 The Language, Notation, and Numbers of MathematicsR-2 Algebraic Expressions and the Properties of Real NumbersR-3 Exponents, Scientific Notation, and a Review of PolynomialsR-4 Factoring PolynomialsR-5 Rational ExpressionsR-6 Radicals and Rational ExponentsChapter 1: Equations and Inequalities1-1 Linear Equations, Formulas, and Problem Solving1-2 Linear Inequalities in One Variable1-3 Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities1-4 Complex Numbers1-5 Solving Quadratic Equations1-6 Solving Other Types of EquationsChapter 2: Relations, Functions and Graphs2-1 Rectangular Coordinates; Graphing Circles and Relations2-2 Graphs of Linear Equations2-3 Linear Equations and Rates of Change2-4 Functions, Notation, and Graphs of Functions2-5 Analyzing the Graph of a Function2-6 Toolbox Functions and Transformations2-7 Piecewise-Defined Functions2-8 The Algebra and Composition of Functions Chapter 3: Polynomial and Rational Functions3-1 Quadratic Functions and Applications3-2 Synthetic Division; The Remainder and Factor Theorems3-3 The Zeroes of Polynomial Functions3-4 Graphing Polynomial Functions3-5 Graphing Rational Functions3-6 Additional Insights into Rational Functions3-7 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities3-8 Variation: Function Models in ActionChapter 4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions4-1 One-to-One and Inverse Functions4-2 Exponential Functions4-3 Logarithms and Logarithmic Functions4-4 Properties of Logarithms; Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Equations4-5 Applications from Business, Finance, and ScienceChapter 5: Systems of Equations and Inequalities5-1 Linear Systems in Two Variables with Applications5-2 Linear Systems in Three Variables with Applications5-3 Nonlinear Systems of Equations and Inequalities5-4 Systems of Inequalities and Linear Programming
APPENDICESA-1 More on Synthetic DivisionA-2 More on MatricesA-3 Deriving the Equation of a ConicA-4 Proof Positive - A Selection of Proofs from
