This text was written with two goals in mind: to present the skills of algebra in the context of modelling and problem solving; and to engage students as active participants in the process of learning. Unlike other introductory algebra texts, it builds an intuitive framework for the future study of functions in intermediate algebra. The text emphasizes the study of tables and graphs, and the concept of the variable is developed from that platform. Graphs are used extensively throughout the book to illustrate algebraic technique and to help students visualize relationships between variables. The numerous labelled grids paired with exercises throughout the text reinforce the need to draw graphs by hand while helping students to focus on the properties of the graphs by eliminating the time-consuming task for beginning students of choosing the appropriate scales for the axes. Suggestions for calculator activities are included on the text website but the authors believe that this skill must be learned through practice with pencil and paper.
- ISBN10 0534358241
- ISBN13 9780534358242
- Publish Date 31 May 2003
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 27 November 2015
- Publish Country US
- Publisher Cengage Learning, Inc
- Imprint Brooks/Cole
- Pages 672
- Language English