Beginning Algebra, 4th Edition

Elayn Martin-Gay's success as a developmental math author and teacher starts with a strong focus on mastering the basics through well-written explanations, innovative pedagogy and a meaningful, integrated program of learning resources. The revisions provide new pedagogy and resources to build student confidence, help students develop basic skills and understand concepts, and provide the highest level of instructor and adjunct support.

Martin-Gay's series is well known and widely praised for an unparalleled ability to:

•Explain key concepts clearly with an excellent, accessible writing style.

•Build problem-solving skills with thoroughly integrated problem solving techniques and explanations.

•Relate to students through real-life applications that are interesting, relevant, and practical.

Martin-Gay believes that every student can:

•Test better: The new Chapter Test Prep Video shows Martin-Gay working step-by-step video solutions to every problem in each Chapter Test to enhance mastery of key chapter content.

•Study better: New, integrated Study Skills Reminders reinforce the skills introduced in section 1.1, "Tips for Success in Mathematics" to promote an increased focus on the development of all-important study skills.

•Learn better: The enhanced exercise sets and new pedagogy, like the Concept Checks, mean that students have the tools they need to learn successfully.

Martin-Gay believes that every student can succeed, and with each successive edition enhances her pedagogy and learning resources to provide evermore relevant and useful tools to help students and instructors achieve success.

Beginning Algebra, Third Edition was written to provide a solid foundation in algebra for students who might have had no previous experience in algebra. Specific care has been taken to ensure that students have the most up-to-date and relevant text preparation for their next mathematics courses, as well as to help students to succeed n nonmathematical courses that require a rasp of algebraic fundamentals. I have tried to achieve this by writing a user-friendly text that is keyed to objectives and contains many worked-out examples. The basic concepts of graphing are introduced early, and problem solving techniques, real-life and real-data applications, data interpretation, appropriate use of technology, mental mathematics, number sense, critical thinking, decision-making, and geometric concepts are emphasized and integrated throughout the book.

The many factors that contributed to the success of the first two editions have been retained. In preparing this edition, I considered the comments and suggestions of colleagues throughout the country, students, and many users of the prior editions. The AMATYC Crossroads in Mathematics: Standards for Introductory College Mathematics before Calculus and the MAA and NCTM standards (plus Addenda), together with advances in technology, also influenced the writing of this text.

Beginning Algebra, Third Edition is part of a series of texts that can include Basic College Mathematics, Prealgebra, Third Edition, Intermediate Algebra, Third Edition, or Intermediate Algebra: A Graphing Approach, Second Edition, and Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, Second Edition, a combined algebra text. Throughout the series, pedagogical features are designed to develop student proficiency in algebra and problem solving, and to prepare students for future courses.