With its complete, interactive, objective-based approach, Introductory Algebra: An Applied Approach, is a best-seller in this market. The Seventh Edition provides mathematically sound and comprehensive coverage of the topics considered essential in a beginning algebra course. The text includes chapter-opening Prep Tests, updated applications, and a new design. A robust Instructor's Annotated Edition features a comprehensive selection of instructor support materials. The Aufmann Interactive Method is incorporated throughout the text, ensuring that students interact with and master the concepts as they are presented. This approach is especially important in the context of rapidly growing distance-learning and self-paced laboratory situations. New! Study Tips margin notes provide point-of-use advice and refer students back to the AIM for Success preface for support where appropriate. Integrating Technology (formerly Calculator Notes) margin notes provide suggestions for using a calculator in certain situations. For added support and quick reference, a scientific calculator screen is displayed on the inside back cover of the text. Enhanced! More bulleted annotations have been added to the solution steps of examples and to the You Try It solutions in the appendix. Enhanced! Examples have been clearly labeled How To, making them more prominent to the student. Enhanced! More operation application problems integrated into the Applying the Concepts exercises encourage students to judge which operation is needed to solve a word problem. New! Nearly 100 new photos add real-world appeal and motivation. Revised! The Chapter Summary has been reformatted to include an example column, offering students increased visual support. Enhanced! In response to instructor feedback, the number of Chapter Review Exercises and Cumulative Review Exercises has increased. Enhanced! This edition features additional coverage of time (Chapter 8), bytes (Chapter 9), and temperature (Chapter 11). Aufmann Interactive Method (AIM) Every section objective contains one or more sets of matched-pair examples that encourage students to interact with the text. The first example in each set is completely worked out; the second example, called 'You Try It,' is for the student to work. By solving the You Try It, students practice concepts as they are presented in the text. Complete worked-out solutions to these examples in an appendix enable students to check their solutions and obtain immediate reinforcement of the concept. While similar texts offer only final answers to examples, the Aufmann texts' complete solutions help students identify their mistakes and prevent frustration. Integrated learning system organized by objectives. Each chapter begins with a list of learning objectives that form the framework for a complete learning system. The objectives are woven throughout the text (in Exercises, Chapter Tests, and Cumulative Reviews) and also connect the text with the print and multimedia ancillaries. This results in a seamless, easy-to-navigate learning system. AIM for Success Student Preface explains what is required of a student to be successful and demonstrates how the features in the text foster student success. AIM for Success can be used as a lesson on the first day of class or as a project for students to c