Elementary Algebra

Michael Sullivan, III is a full-time professor of mathematics at Joliet Jr. College. His training is in mathematics, statistics, and economics and he has more than 18 years experience as an instructor. His publications with Pearson cover developmental math, precalculus, and introductory statistics. Most recently, Mike has been highly involved in Course Redesign at Joliet Junior College. His experience in course redesign and writing texts for the college-level math and statistics courses gives him a unique insight into where students are headed after the developmental math track, and what they need to do to be successful. Mike is the father of three children and an avid golfer. Katherine Struve is a full-time instructor with Columbus State Community College and has more than 30 years experience in the classroom. She is in tune with the challenges of teaching mathematics at a large, urban community college. She has served as the Lead Instructor of Developmental Mathematics and has been involved in the recent course redesign effort at Columbus State.   Janet Mazzarella is a full-time instructor at Southwestern College and has more than 18 years experience teaching a wide range of courses from arithmetic through calculus. She helped develop the self-paced developmental math program and spent two years serving as its director. Along with Mike and Kathy, Janet has also been active in the course redesign initiative at her institution.

1. Operations on Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions

1.1 Success in Mathematics

1.2 Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

1.3 The Number Systems and the Real Number Line

1.4 Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Integers

1.5 Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Rational Numbers

1.6 Properties of Real Numbers

1.7 Exponents and the Order of Operations

1.8 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

 

2. Equations and Inequalities on One Variable

2.1 Linear Equations: The Addition and Multiplication Properties of Equality

2.2 Linear Equations: Using the Properties Together

2.3 Solving Linear Equations Involving Fractions and Decimals; Classifying Equations

2.4 Evaluating Formulas and Solving Formulas for a Variable

2.5 Problem Solving: Direct Translation

2.6 Problem Solving: Problems Involving Percent

2.7 Problem Solving: Geometry and Uniform Motion

2.8 Solving Linear Inequalities in One Variable

 

3. Introduction to Graphing and Equations of Lines

3.1 The Rectangular Coordinate System and Equations in Two Variables

3.2 Graphing Equations in Two Variables

3.3 Slope

3.4 Slope-Intercept Form of a Line

3.5 Point-Slope Form of a Line

 

3.6 Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

3.7 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

 

4. Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities

4.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing

4.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations Using Substitution

4.3 Solving Systems of Linear Equations Using Elimination

4.4 Solving Direct Translation, Geometry, and Uniform Motion Problems Using Systems of Linear Equations

4.5 Solving Mixture Problems Using Systems of Linear Equations

4.6 Systems of Linear Inequalities

 

5. Exponents and Polynomials

5.1 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

5.2 Multiplying Monomials: The Product and Power Rules

5.3 Multiplying Polynomials

5.4 Dividing Monomials: The Quotient Rule and Integer Exponents

5.5 Dividing Polynomials

5.6 Applying the Exponent Rules: Scientific Notation

 

6. Factoring Polynomials

6.1 Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping

6.2 Factoring Trinomials of the Form x^2 + bx + c

6.3 Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax^2 + bx + c, a not= 1

6.4 Factoring Special Products

6.5 Summary of Factoring Techniques

6.6 Solving Polynomial Equations by Factoring

6.7 Modeling and Solving Problems with Quadratic Equations

 

7. Rational Expressions and Equations

7.1 Simplifying Rational Expressions

7.2 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

7.3 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with a Common Denominator

7.4 Finding the Least Common Denominator and Forming Equivalent Rational Expressions

7.5 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Unlike Denominators

7.6 Complex Rational Expressions

7.7 Rational Equations

7.8 Models Involving Rational Equations

7.9 Variation

 

8. Roots and Radicals

8.1 Introduction to Square Roots

8.2 Simplifying Square Roots

8.3 Adding and Subtracting Square Roots

8.4 Multiplying Expressions with Square Roots

8.5 Dividing Expressions with Square Roots

8.6 Solving Equations Containing Square Roots

8.7 Higher Roots and Rational Exponents

 

9. Quadratic Equations

9.1 Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Square Root Property

9.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square

9.3 Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula

9.4 Problem Solving Using Quadratic Equations

9.5 The Complex Number System

 

10. Graphs of Quadratic Equations in Two Variables and an Introduction to Functions

10.1 Quadratic Equations in Two Variables

10.2 Relations

10.3 An Introduction to Functions

Appendix A: Table of Square Roots

Appendix B: Geometry Review

Answers to Selected Exercises

Graphing Answer Section

Applications Index

Subject Index