Beginning Algebra

BEGINNING ALGEBRA, International Edition employs a proven, three-step problem-solving approach-learn a skill, use the skill to solve equations, and then use the equations to solve application problems-to keep students focused on building skills and reinforcing them through practice. This simple and straightforward approach, in an easy-to-read format, has helped many students grasp and apply fundamental problem-solving skills. The carefully structured pedagogy includes learning objectives, detailed examples to develop concepts, practice exercises, an extensive selection of problem-set exercises, and well-organized end-of-chapter reviews and assessments. Additionally, the clean and uncluttered design helps keep students focused on the concepts while minimizing distractions. Problems and examples reference a broad array of topics, as well as career areas such as electronics, mechanics, and health, showing students that mathematics is part of everyday life. Also, as recommended by the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges, many basic geometric concepts are integrated in the book's problem-solving sets. The text's resource package-anchored by Enhanced WebAssign, an online homework management tool-saves instructors time while also providing additional help and skill-building practice for students outside of class.

Table of Contents:
1. BASIC CONCEPTS OF ARITHMETIC AND ALGEBRA. Numerical and Algebraic Expressions. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division of Integers. Use of Properties. Prime and Composite Numbers. Rational Numbers. Decimals and Real Numbers. 2. EQUATIONS, INEQUALITIES, AND PROBLEM SOLVING. Solving First-Degree Equations. Translating from English to Algebra. Equations and Problem Solving. More on Solving Equations and Problem Solving. Equations Involving Parentheses and Fractional Forms. Inequalities. Inequalities, Compound Inequalities, and Problem Solving. 3. RATIO, PERCENT, FORMULAS, AND PROBLEM SOLVING. Ratio, Proportion, and Percent. More on Percents and Problem Solving. Formulas: Geometric and Others. Problem Solving. More about Problem Solving. 4. EXPONENTS AND POLYNOMIALS. Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials. Multiplying Monomials. Multiplying Polynomials. Dividing by Monomials. Dividing by Binomials. Zero and Negative Integers as Exponents. 5. FACTORING, SOLVING EQUATIONS, AND PROBLEM SOLVING. Factoring by Using the Distributive Property. Factoring the Difference of Two Squares. Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2 + bx + c. Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2 + bx + c. Factoring, Solving Equations, and Problem Solving. 6. RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS AND RATIONAL EQUATIONS. Simplifying Rational Expressions. Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions. Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions. More on Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions. Rational Equations and Problem Solving. More Rational Equations and Problem Solving. 7. COORDINTE GEOMETRY. Cartesian Coordinate System. Graphing Linear Equations and Applications. Graphing Linear Inequalities. Slope of a Line. Writing Equations of Lines. 8. SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS. Solving Linear Systems by Graphing. Elimination-by-Addition Method. Substitution Method. 3x3 Systems of Equations. 9. ROOTS AND RADICALS. Roots and Radicals. Simplifying Radicals. Simplifying Radicals of Quotients. Products and Quotients Involving Radicals. Solving Radical Equations. 10. QUADRATIC EQUATIONS. Quadratic Equations. Completing the Square. Quadratic Formula. Solving Quadratic Equations-Which Method? Solving Problems Using the Quadratic Equation. ANSWERS TO ODD NUMBERED PROBLEMS AND ALL CHAPTER REVIEW, CHAPTER TEST, AND CUMULATIVE REVIEW PROBLEMS. ANSWERS TO SELECT EVEN NUMBERED PROBLEMS. PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS. INDEX.

About the Author :
Jerome E. Kaufmann received his Ed.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Virginia. Now a retired Professor of Mathematics from Western Illinois University, he has more than 30 years of teaching experience at the high school, two-year, and four-year college levels. He is the author of 45 college mathematics textbooks. Karen L. Schwitters graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in Mathematics. She earned an M.S. Ed. in Professional Secondary Education from Northern Illinois University. Schwitters is currently teaching at Seminole Community College in Sanford, Florida, where she is very active in multimedia instruction and is involved in planning distance learning courses with multimedia materials. She is an advocate for Enhanced WebAssign and uses it in her classroom. In 1998, she received the Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Technology Award.

Review :
1. BASIC CONCEPTS OF ARITHMETIC AND ALGEBRA. Numerical and Algebraic Expressions. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division of Integers. Use of Properties. Prime and Composite Numbers. Rational Numbers. Decimals and Real Numbers. 2. EQUATIONS, INEQUALITIES, AND PROBLEM SOLVING. Solving First-Degree Equations. Translating from English to Algebra. Equations and Problem Solving. More on Solving Equations and Problem Solving. Equations Involving Parentheses and Fractional Forms. Inequalities. Inequalities, Compound Inequalities, and Problem Solving. 3. RATIO, PERCENT, FORMULAS, AND PROBLEM SOLVING. Ratio, Proportion, and Percent. More on Percents and Problem Solving. Formulas: Geometric and Others. Problem Solving. More about Problem Solving. 4. EXPONENTS AND POLYNOMIALS. Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials. Multiplying Monomials. Multiplying Polynomials. Dividing by Monomials. Dividing by Binomials. Zero and Negative Integers as Exponents. 5. FACTORING, SOLVING EQUATIONS, AND PROBLEM SOLVING. Factoring by Using the Distributive Property. Factoring the Difference of Two Squares. Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2 + bx + c. Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2 + bx + c. Factoring, Solving Equations, and Problem Solving. 6. RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS AND RATIONAL EQUATIONS. Simplifying Rational Expressions. Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions. Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions. More on Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions. Rational Equations and Problem Solving. More Rational Equations and Problem Solving. 7. COORDINTE GEOMETRY. Cartesian Coordinate System. Graphing Linear Equations and Applications. Graphing Linear Inequalities. Slope of a Line. Writing Equations of Lines. 8. SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS. Solving Linear Systems by Graphing. Elimination-by-Addition Method. Substitution Method. 3x3 Systems of Equations. 9. ROOTS AND RADICALS. Roots and Radicals. Simplifying Radicals. Simplifying Radicals of Quotients. Products and Quotients Involving Radicals. Solving Radical Equations. 10. QUADRATIC EQUATIONS. Quadratic Equations. Completing the Square. Quadratic Formula. Solving Quadratic Equations-Which Method? Solving Problems Using the Quadratic Equation. ANSWERS TO ODD NUMBERED PROBLEMS AND ALL CHAPTER REVIEW, CHAPTER TEST, AND CUMULATIVE REVIEW PROBLEMS. ANSWERS TO SELECT EVEN NUMBERED PROBLEMS. PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS. INDEX.