College Algebra: A View of the World Around Us

This text places mathematics into a real-world setting. Concepts are developed through the "Rule of Four - Numeric, Analytic, Graphic, and Verbal". Graphing utilities are integrated as a tool while the focus is on the mathematics. Emphasizing problem-solving skills, this book introduces new concepts in the context of physical situations to illustrate how algebra can solve them. It provides analytical, graphical, and numerical approaches to major topics, and includes the use of Polya problem-solving strategies. By frequently identifying Polya strategies used in the exposition, the book offers readers a number of examples of how each stragey can be used effectively. The use of graphing calculators is incorporated where appropriate, as well as discussions of the advantages and limitations of technology.