Intermediate Algebra

For courses in Intermediate Algebra.

Trusted author content. Thoughtful innovation.

Math hasn’t changed, but students–and the way they learn–have. In this revision of the Bittinger Paperback Worktext Series, the Bittinger author team brings their extensive experience to developmental math courses, paired with thoughtful integration of technology and content. The Bittinger Series enables students to get the most out of their MyLab™ Math course through an updated learning path, new review videos, and new engaging exercises that offer the support they need, when they need  it.  

Bittinger offers market-leading content written by author-educators, tightly integrated with MyLab Math — the #1 choice in digital learning. Bringing the authors’ voices and their approach into the MyLab course encourages student motivation and engagement, while reinforcing their understanding of the skills and concepts  they need to master algebra.

Also available with MyLab Math

MyLab™ Math is the teaching and learning platform that empowers you to reach every student. By combining trusted author content with digital tools and a flexible platform, MyLab personalizes the learning experience and improves results for each student. Learn more about MyLab Math.

• Index of Activities
• Index of Animations
• Preface
• Index of Applications
• JUST-IN-TIME REVIEW
  1. The Set of Real Numbers
  2. Order for the Real Numbers
  3. Graphing Inequalities on the Number Line
  4. Absolute Value
  5. Add Real Numbers
  6. Opposites, or Additive Inverses
  7. Subtract Real Numbers
  8. Multiply Real Numbers
  9. Divide Real Numbers
  10. Exponential Notation (Part 1)
  11. Order of Operations
  12. Translate to an Algebraic Expression
  13. Evaluate Algebraic Expressions
  14. Equivalent Fraction Expressions
  15. The Commutative Laws and the Associative Laws
  16. The Distributive Laws
  17. Collecting Like Terms
  18. Removing Parentheses and Collecting Like Terms
  19. Exponential Notation (Part 2)
  20. Scientific Notation

1. SOLVING LINEAR EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES
   • 1.1 Solving Equations
   • 1.2 Formulas and Applications
   • 1.3 Applications and Problem Solving
     • Mid-Chapter Review
   • 1.4 Sets, Inequalities, and Interval Notation
     • Translating for Success
   • 1.5 Intersections, Unions, and Compound Inequalities
   • 1.6 Absolute-Value Equations and Inequalities
   • Summary and Review
   • Test
2. GRAPHS, FUNCTIONS, AND APPLICATIONS
   • 2.1 Graphs of Equations
   • 2.2 Functions and Graphs
   • 2.3 Finding Domain and Range
     • Mid-Chapter Review
   • 2.4 Linear Functions: Graphs and Slope
   • 2.5 More on Graphing Linear Equations
     • Visualizing for Success
   • 2.6 Finding Equations of Lines; Applications
   • Summary and Review
   • Test
   • Cumulative Review
3. SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS
   • 3.1 Systems of Equations in Two Variables
   • 3.2 Solving by Substitution
   • 3.3 Solving by Elimination
   • 3.4 Solving Applied Problems: Two Equations Translating for Success
     • Mid-Chapter Review
   • 3.5 Systems of Equations in Three Variables
   • 3.6 Solving Applied Problems: Three Equations
   • 3.7 Systems of Inequalities in Two Variables
   • Visualizing for Success
   • Summary and Review
   • Test
   • Cumulative Review
4. POLYNOMIALS AND POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
   • 4.1 Introduction to Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
   • 4.2 Multiplication of Polynomials
   • 4.3 Introduction to Factoring
   • 4.4 Factoring Trinomials: x² + bx + c
     • Mid-Chapter Review
   • 4.5 Factoring Trinomials: ax² + bx + c, a ≠1
   • 4.6 Special Factoring
     • Visualizing for Success
   • 4.7 Factoring: A General Strategy
   • 4.8 Applications of Polynomial Equations and Functions
   • Translating for Success
   • Summary and Review
   • Test
   • Cumulative Review
5. RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS, EQUATIONS, AND FUNCTIONS
   • 5.1 Rational Expressions and Functions: Multiplying, Dividing, and Simplifying
   • 5.2 LCMs, LCDs, Addition, and Subtraction
   • 5.3 Division of Polynomials
   • 5.4 Complex Rational Expressions
     • Mid-Chapter Review
   • 5.5 Solving Rational Equations
   • 5.6 Applications and Proportions
     • Translating for Success
   • 5.7 Formulas and Applications
   • 5.8 Variation and Applications
   • Summary and Review
   • Test
   • Cumulative Review
6. RADICAL EXPRESSIONS, EQUATIONS, AND FUNCTIONS
   • 6.1 Radical Expressions and Functions
   • 6.2 Rational Numbers as Exponents
   • 6.3 Simplifying Radical Expressions
   • 6.4 Addition, Subtraction, and More Multiplication
     • Mid-Chapter Review
   • 6.5 More on Division of Radical Expressions
   • 6.6 Solving Radical Equations
   • 6.7 Applications Involving Powers and Roots
     • Translating for Success
   • 6.8 The Complex Numbers
   • Summary and Review
   • Test
   • Cumulative Review
7. QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND FUNCTIONS
   • 7.1 The Basics of Solving Quadratic Equations
   • 7.2 The Quadratic Formula
   • 7.3 Applications Involving Quadratic Equations
     • Translating for Success
   • 7.4 More on Quadratic Equations
     • Mid-Chapter Review
   • 7.5 Graphing f(x) = a(x - h)² + k
   • 7.6 Graphingf(x) = a x² + bx + c
     • Visualizing for Success
   • 7.7 Mathematical Modeling with Quadratic Functions
   • 7.8 Polynomial Inequalities and Rational Inequalities
   • Summary and Review
   • Test
   • Cumulative Review
8. EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
   • 8.1 Exponential Functions
   • 8.2 Composite Functions and Inverse Functions
   • 8.3 Logarithmic Functions
   • 8.4 Properties of Logarithmic Functions
     • Mid-Chapter Review
   • 8.5 Natural Logarithmic Functions
     • Visualizing for Success
   • 8.6 Solving Exponential Equations and Logarithmic Equations
   • 8.7 Mathematical Modeling with Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
   • Translating for Success
   • Summary and Review
   • Test
   • Cumulative Review
9. CONIC SECTIONS
   • 9.1 Parabolas and Circles
   • 9.2 Ellipses
     • Mid-Chapter Review
   • 9.3 Hyperbolas
     • Visualizing for Success
   • 9.4 Nonlinear Systems of Equations
   • Summary and Review
   • Test
   • Cumulative Review

1. Fraction Notation
2. Determinants and Cramer’s Rule
3. Elimination Using Matrices
4. The Algebra of Functions

• Answers
• Guided Solutions
• Glossary
• Index

Marvin Bittinger has been teaching math at the university level for more than thirty-eight years. Since 1968, he has been employed at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, and is now professor emeritus of mathematics education. Professor Bittinger has authored over 190 publications on topics ranging from basic mathematics to algebra and trigonometry to applied calculus. He received his BA in mathematics from Manchester College and his PhD in mathematics education from Purdue University. Special honors include Distinguished Visiting Professor at the United States Air Force Academy and his election to the Manchester College Board of Trustees from 1992 to 1999. Professor Bittinger has also had the privilege of speaking at many mathematics conventions, most recently giving a lecture entitled "Baseball and Mathematics." His hobbies include hiking in Utah, baseball, golf, and bowling. In addition, he also has an interest in philosophy and theology, in particular, apologetics. Professor Bittinger currently lives in Carmel, Indiana with his wife Elaine. He has two grown and married sons, Lowell and Chris, and four granddaughters.

Judy Beecher has an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Indiana University and a graduate degree in mathematics from Purdue University. She has taught at both the high school and college levels with many years of developmental math and precalculus teaching experience at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. In addition to her career in textbook publishing, she spends time traveling, enjoying her grandchildren, and promoting charity projects for a children's camp.