As part of the market-leading Graphing Approach Series by Larson, Hostetler, and Edwards, College Algebra: A Graphing Approach, 4/e, provides both students and instructors with a sound mathematics course in an approachable, understandable format. The quality and quantity of the exercises, combined with interesting applications, cutting-edge design, and innovative resources, make teaching easier and help students succeed in mathematics. This edition, intended for algebra courses that require the use of a graphing calculator, includes a moderate review of algebra to help students entering the course with weak algebra skills.
- Accessibility to students is achieved through careful writing and design, including same-page examples and solutions, which maximize the readability of the text. Similarly, side-by-side solutions show algebraic, visual, and numeric representations of the mathematics to support students' various learning styles.
- The Library of Functions thread throughout the text provides a definition and list of characteristics for each elementary function and compares newly introduced functions to those already presented to increase students' understanding of these important concepts.
- Technology Support notes provided at point-of-use throughout the text guide students to the Technology Support Appendix, where they can learn how to use specific graphing calculator features to enhance their understanding of the concepts presented. These notes also direct students to the Graphing Technology Guide on the textbook web site for keystroke support.
- Houghton Mifflin's Eduspace online classroom management tool offers instructors the option to assign homework and tests online, provides tutorial support for students needing additional help, and includes the ability to grade any of these assignments automatically.
Note: Each chapter concludes with a Chapter Summary, Review Exercises, a Chapter Test, and Proofs in Mathematics. P. Prerequisites P.1 Real Numbers P.2 Exponents and Radicals P.3 Polynomials and Factoring P.4 Rational Expressions P.5 The Cartesian Plane P.6 Representing Data Graphically 1. Functions and Their Graphs Introduction to Library of Parent Functions 1.1 Graphs of Equations 1.2 Lines in the Plane 1.3 Functions 1.4 Graphs of Functions 1.5 Shifting, Reflection, and Stretching Graphs 1.6 Combinations of Functions 1.7 Inverse Functions 2. Solving Equations and Inequalities 2.1 Linear Equations and Problem Solving 2.2 Solving Equations Graphically 2.3 Complex Numbers 2.4 Solving Quadratic Equations Algebraically 2.5 Solving Other Types of Equations Algebraically 2.6 Solving Inequalities Algebraically and Graphically 2.7 Linear Models and Scatter Plots Cumulative Test: Chapters P-2 Progressive Summary: Chapters P-2 3. Polynomial and Rational Functions 3.1 Quadratic Functions 3.2 Polynomial Functions of Higher Degree 3.3 Real Zeros of Polynomial Functions 3.4 The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra 3.5 Rational Functions and Asymptotes 3.6 Graphs of Rational Functions 3.7 Quadratic Models 4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 4.1 Exponential Functions and Their Graphs 4.2 Logarithmic Functions and Their Graphs 4.3 Properties of Logarithms 4.4 Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 4.5 Exponential and Logarithmic Models 4.6 Nonlinear Models Progressive Summary: Chapters P-4 5. Linear Systems and Matrices 5.1 Solving Systems of Equations 5.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables 5.3 Multivariable Linear Systems 5.4 Matrices and Systems of Equations 5.5 Operations with Matrices 5.6 The Inverse of a Square Matrix 5.7 The Determinant of a Square Matrix 5.8 Applications of Matrices and Determinants Cumulative Test: Chapters 3-5 6. Sequences, Series, and Probability 6.1 Sequences and Series 6.2 Arithmetic Sequences and Partial Sums 6.3 Geometric Sequences and Series 6.4 Mathematical Induction 6.5 The Binomial Theorem 6.6 Counting Principles 6.7 Probability 7. Conics and Parametric Equations 7.1 Circles and Parabolas 7.2 Ellipses 7.3 Hyperbolas 7.4 Parametric Equations Cumulative Test: Chapters 6-7 Progressive Summary: Chapters P-7 Appendix A. Technology Support Guide Appendix B. Concepts in Statistics B.1 Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion B.2 Least Squares Regression Appendix C. Variation Appendix D. Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities Appendix E. Systems of Inequalities E.1 Solving Systems of Inequalities E.2 Linear Programming Appendix F. Study Capsules
