Elementary Algebra with Early Systems of Equations

Tom Carson engages students in the learning process by meeting them where they are and leading them to where they need to be through the determination of their individual learning style, the development of study skills, and the integration of learning strategies that help each student succeed. Elementary Algebra with Early Systems of Equations is a book for the student. The authors' goal is to help build students' confidence, their understanding and appreciation of math, and their basic skills by presenting an extremely user-friendly text that models a framework in which students can succeed. Unfortunately, students who place into developmental math courses often struggle with math anxiety due to bad experiences in past math courses. Developmental math students often have never developed nor applied a study system in mathematics. To address these needs, the authors have framed three goals for Elementary Algebra: 1) reduce math anxiety, 2) teach for understanding, and 3) foster critical thinking and enthusiasm. The authors' writing style is extremely student-friendly. They talk to students in their own language and walk them through the concepts, explaining not only how to do the math, but also why it works and where it comes from, rather than using the “monkey-see, monkey-do” approach that some books take. Elementary Algebra with Early Systems of Equations, as the title implies, places the topic of Systems of Equations early in the text, in Chapter 5.   This organization is ideal for those instructors who prefer to teach systems of equations immediately following the chapter on graphing, and the chapters prior to polynomials and factoring.   For those who prefer to teach the topic later, Elementary Algebra, by the same author team, places Systems of Equations in Chapter 8.    

Table of Contents:
Each chapter ends with a Chapter Summary, Review Exercises, a Chapter Test, and, with the exception of Chapter 1, a Cumulative Review. Chapter 1   Foundations of Algebra Number Sets and the Structure of Algebra Fractions Adding and Subtracting Real Numbers; Properties of Real Numbers Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers; Properties of Real Numbers Exponents, Roots, and Order of Operations Translating Word Phrases to Expressions Evaluating and Rewriting Expressions Chapter 2   Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities Equations, Formulas, and the Problem-Solving Process The Addition Principle The Multiplication Principle Applying the Principles to Formulas Translating Word Sentences to Equations Solving Linear Inequalities Chapter 3   Problem Solving Ratios and Proportions Percents Problems with Two or More Unknowns Rates Investment and Mixture Chapter 4   Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities The Rectangular Coordinate System Graphing Linear Equations Graphing Using Intercepts Slope-Intercept form Point-Slope form Graphing Linear Inequalities Introduction to Functions and Function Notation Chapter 5   Systems of Equations Solving Systems of Linear Equations Graphically Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination More Applications with Systems of Equations Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities Chapter 6   Polynomials Exponents and Scientific Notation Introduction to Polynomials Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Exponent Rules and Multiplying Monomials Multiplying Polynomials; Special Products Exponent Rules and Dividing Polynomials                       Chapter 7   Factoring Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2 + bx + c Factoring Trinomials of the form ax2 + bx + c,  where a ≠1 Factoring Special Products Strategies for Factoring Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring Graphs of Quadratic Equations and Functions Chapter 8   Rational Expressions and Equations Simplifying Rational Expressions Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with the Same Denominator Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Different Denominators Complex Rational Expressions Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions Applications with Rational Expressions Chapter 9   Roots and Radicals Square Roots and Radical Expressions Multiplying and Simplifying Square Roots Dividing and Simplifying Square Roots Adding and Subtracting Square Roots Solving Radical Equations Higher Roots and Rational Exponents                 Chapter 10   Quadratic Equations                   The Square Root Principle Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula Complex Numbers Graphing Quadratic Equations