College Algebra Through Modeling and Visualization - Hardcover

Rockswold, Gary K.; Hornsby, John; Lial, Margaret L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0321015959 ISBN 13: 9780321015952

Publisher: Pearson, 1998

Synopsis

Intended for a graphing required college algebra course, this book, offers an innovative approach to the college. It does not simply reiterate past algebra texts and courses. Rather, it consistently integrates mathematical concepts with real applications to enhance student intuition and understanding. Concentrating on broad mathematical themes, the authors emphasize the unifying concepts and skills used repeatedly in mathematics. Symbolic, graphical, numerical, and verbal skills are continually reinforced throughout the course.

When introducing mathematical ideas, the authors move from the concrete to the abstract. The authors' believe that learning is enhanced when students can relate a concept to something in their lives. Hence, mathematical concepts are often introduced through applications that help make the mathematics real to students. Definitions and theorems also become more meaningful to students when they are explained and motivated from an applied perspective. Students see the importance of a topic from a practical and intuitive point of view, with models and applications playing a central part in the learning process. This approach increases both student interest and motivation. Once students are interested and motivated, symbolic concepts and abstractions become more accessible.

About this title

About the Author

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.

Dr. Rockswold has been writing for mathematics textbooks for over ten years. Currently he is an author for Addison Wesley, writing textbooks that integrate modeling, visualization, applications, and the graphing calculator into the curriculum.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0321015959
• ISBN 13: 9780321015952
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 672