Beginning Algebra - Preliminary Edition

McKenna/Kirk's Beginning Algebra, Preliminary Edition, strives to teach math with language that students can understand, while focusing on problem solving, vocabulary, and how topics relate within algebra and the world around them.   Building a Foundation: the authors focus on building a strong foundation in algebra through the use of a friendly, conversational writing style, while helping students improve their problem-solving skills, mathematical vocabulary, and mastery of mathematical concepts.   Expanding on the Foundation - To help students relate to the material, the authors use real-world applications that are tied to the chapter theme. This theme gives students a common thread to relate the material to as they progress through each chapter. McKenna/Kirk carefully guides readers through an intuitive problem-solving approach called the 4 P’s–Prepare, Plan, Process, and Ponder–that teaches students to solve application problems, including the chapter theme applications, in a logical, step-by-step manner. The authors address students’ lack of mathematic vocabulary by introducing terminology gradually and using it consistently throughout the text. Chapter features such as Recall and Looking Ahead help students connect important concepts by highlighting previously learned material and previewing topics to come.  

Table of Contents:
1. Patterns and Review of Real Numbers 1.1 Problem Solving and Finding Patterns 1.2 Sets, Symbols, and Real Numbers 1.3 Review of Fractions 1.4 Addition and Subtraction of Real Numbers 1.5 Multiplication, Division and Properties of Real Numbers 1.6 Exponents, Order of Operations and Algebraic Expressions 1.7 Reading and Interpreting Graphs and the Coordinate Plane  Chapter 1 Summary  Chapter 1 Review Problem Set  Chapter 1 Test   2. Equations and Inequalities in One Variable and Applications 2.1 Properties of Equality and Linear Equations 2.2 Linear Equations Involving Grouping Symbols and Fractions 2.3 Literal Equations and Applications 2.4 Linear Inequalities 2.5 Compound and Double Inequalities 2.6 Additional Applications  Chapter 2 Summary  Chapter 2 Review Problem Set  Chapter 2 Test   3. Linear Equations, Slope, Inequalities, and Introduction to Functions 3.1 Linear Equations in Two Variables 3.2 The Intercept Method 3.3 The Slope and y-Intercept Method 3.4 Determining the Equation of a Line, Parallel Lines, and Perpendicular Lines 3.5 Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two Variables 3.6 Introduction to Functions  Chapter 3 Summary  Chapter 3 Review Problem Set  Chapter 3 Test  Cumulative Review Chapters 1 - 3     4. Exponents, Polynomials, and Applications 4.1 Integer Exponents 4.2 Scientific Notation and Applications 4.3 Introduction to Polynomials and Polynomial Functions 4.4 Multiplying Polynomials 4.5 Special Products 4.6 Dividing Polynomials   Chapter 4 Summary  Chapter 4 Review Problem Set  Chapter 4 Test   5. Factoring Polynomials 5.1 Introduction to Factoring 5.2 Factoring Special Forms of Binomials 5.3 Factoring Trinomials of the Form   5.4 Factoring Trinomials of the Form  , with A = 1 and Perfect-Square Trinomials 5.5 The General Factoring Strategy 5.6 Applications Using the Zero Factor Property  Chapter 5 Summary  Chapter 5 Review Problem Set  Chapter 5 Test   6. Rational Expressions 6.1 Simplifying Rational Expressions 6.2 Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions 6.3 Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions 6.4 Complex Fractions 6.5 Rational Functions and Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions 6.6 Applications  Chapter 6 Summary  Chapter 6 Review Problem Set  Chapter 6 Test  Cumulative Review Chapters 4 - 6   7. Systems of Equations 7.1 The Graphing Method 7.2 The Substitution Method 7.3 The Elimination Method 7.4 Applications 7.5 Systems of Linear Inequalities  Chapter 7 Summary  Chapter 7 Review Problem Set  Chapter 7 Test   8. Roots and Radicals 8.1 Simplifying, Adding, and Subtracting Square Roots 8.2 Multiplying and Dividing Square Roots 8.3 Solving Equations Containing Square Roots 8.4 Applications 8.5 Higher Roots and Rational Exponents  Chapter 8 Summary  Chapter 8 Review Problem Set  Chapter 8 Test   9. Quadratic Equations 9.1 The Square Root Property 9.2 Completing the Square 9.3 The Quadratic Formula 9.4 Complex Numbers 9.5 Graphing Quadratic Functions  Chapter 9 Summary  Chapter 9 Review Problem Set  Chapter 9 Test  Cumulative Review Chapters 7 — 9

About the Author :
Paula McKenna (San Antonio College) is a native Texan who received a B.S. in mathematics, graduating magna cum laude, and an M.S. in mathematics, from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  As a young adult she worked in the business world before realizing that she wanted to finish her education. She knew that teaching was her avocation the first day she walked into a classroom.  After teaching at her alma mater, she elected to move to the community college classroom and joined the faculty at San Antonio College in 1994.  Her motivation to write a developmental mathematics textbook came from her students.  Paula is determined to write a text that is both mathematically accurate and easily understood by developmental students.  She asked Honey Kirk to join her in this endeavor and they worked together, writing each chapter as they teach it.    Honey Kirk (Palo Alto College) received a B.A. in mathematics and psychology from Washington and Jefferson College, an M.A. in education from Pepperdine University, and an M.S. in mathematics from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  As an army wife of 30 years, she taught mathematics to all ages in many states, as well as overseas in Germany and Korea.  She and her husband are now settled in Texas where Honey is a community college professor at Palo Alto College in San Antonio. As an empty-nester, she decided it was time to incorporate all the great teaching strategies she learned through the years from her students and colleagues and write a series of developmental math textbooks.