Gary Rockswold teaches algebra in context, answering the question, “Why am I learning this?” By experiencing math through applications, students see how it fits into their lives, and they become motivated to succeed. Rockswold’s focus on conceptual understanding helps students make connections between the concepts and as a result, students see the bigger picture of math and are prepared for future courses.

Introduction to Functions and Graphs; Linear Functions and Equations; Quadratic Functions and Equations; More Nonlinear Functions and Equations; Exponential and Logarithmic Functions; Trigonometric Functions; Trigonometric Identities and Equations; Further Topics in Trigonometry; Systems of Equations and Inequalities; Conic Sections; Further Topics in Algebra

Features:

-Applications are woven throughout to introduce mathematics topics and content. These contemporary examples draw from a wide variety of real data and enable students to see the relevance of math and become more effective problem solvers.

-Making Connections features show how concepts throughout the course are interrelated by pointing out connections between previously learned material and new material.

-Checking Basic Concepts exercises appear after every other section and can be used for individual or group review. These exercises require 10–20 minutes to complete and are also appropriate for in-class work.

-Extensive exercise sets give students abundant opportunity for practice and review. Every exercise set has been revised to ensure that there are sufficient types of exercises for each mathematical concept and that there is a pairing of odd and even numbered exercises.

-Comprehensive end-of-chapter material serves as an excellent resource for extra practice and test preparation. Each chapter concludes with a summary of key concepts, review exercises, and extended and discovery exercises.

-Chapter R, Reference contains review material from intermediate algebra and basic geometry courses. This material is referenced by Algebra Review and Geometry Review margin notes.

-A Graphing Calculator Appendix provides tips, techniques, and keystrokes for the popular TI-83, TI-83 Plus, and TI-84 Plus graphing calculators, allowing students to easily work on their own. This material is referenced by Calculator Help notes in the margins of the text.

-“Now Try” exercise suggestions follow every example, allowing students to immediately reinforce the concepts as they are reading.

-Cumulative Reviews, which appear every few chapters, require students to understand and use multiple skills from different chapters. This is an excellent test of comprehension of key concepts in the course.

For all readers interested in college algebra and trigonometry.

Dr. Gary Rockswold has been teaching mathematics for 25 years at all levels from seventh grade to graduate school, including junior high and high school students, talented youth, vocational, undergraduate and graduate students, and adult education classes. He is currently employed at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he is a full professor of mathematics and the chair of the mathematics department. He graduated with majors in mathematics and physics from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Iowa State University. He has an interdisciplinary background and has also taught physical science, astronomy, and computer science. Outside of mathematics, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.