College Algebra

Bob Blitzer is a native of Manhattan and received a Bachelor of Arts degree with dual majors in mathematics and psychology (minor: English literature) from the City College of New York. His unusual combination of academic interests led him toward a Master of Arts in mathematics from the University of Miami and a doctorate in behavioral sciences from Nova University. Bob’s love for teaching mathematics was nourished for nearly 30 years at Miami Dade College, where he received numerous teaching awards, including Innovator of the Year from the League for Innovations in the Community College and an endowed chair based on excellence in the classroom. In addition to College Algebra, Bob has written textbooks covering developmental mathematics, introductory algebra, intermediate algebra, trigonometry, algebra and trigonometry, precalculus, and liberal arts mathematics, all published by Pearson. When not secluded in his Northern California writer’s cabin, Bob can be found hiking the beaches and trails of Point Reyes National Seashore and tending to the chores required by his beloved entourage of horses, chickens, and irritable roosters.

P. Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

P.1 Algebraic Expressions, Mathematical Models, and Real Numbers

P.2 Basic Rules of Algebra

P.3 Exponents and Scientific Notation

P.4 Radicals and Rational Exponents

P.5 Polynomials

P.6 Factoring Polynomials

P.7 Rational Expressions

1. Functions and Graphs

1.1 Graphs and Graphing Utilities

1.2 Basics of Functions and Their Graphs

1.3 More on Functions and Their Graphs

1.4 Linear Functions and Slope

1.5 More on Slope

1.6 Transformations of Functions

1.7 Combinations of Functions; Composite Functions

1.8 Inverse Functions

1.9 Distance and Midpoint Formulas; Circles

2. Equations and Inequalities

2.1 Linear Equations and Rational Equations

2.2 Models and Applications

2.3 Complex Numbers

2.4 Quadratic Equations

2.5 Other Types of Equations

2.6 Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Inequalities

3. Polynomial and Rational Functions

3.1 Quadratic Functions

3.2 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs

3.3 Dividing Polynomials; Remainder and Factor Theorems

3.4 Zeros of Polynomial Functions

3.5 Rational Functions and Their Graphs

3.6 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities

3.7 Modeling Using Variation

4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

4.1 Exponential Functions

4.2 Logarithmic Functions

4.3 Properties of Logarithms

4.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

4.5 Exponential Growth and Decay; Modeling Data

5. Systems of Equations and Inequalities

5.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

5.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables

5.3 Partial Fractions

5.4 Systems of Nonlinear Equations in Two Variables

5.5 Systems of Inequalities

5.6 Linear Programming

6. Matrices and Determinants

6.1 Matrix Solutions to Linear Systems

6.2 Inconsistent and Dependent Systems and Their Applications

6.3 Matrix Operations and Their Applications

6.4 Multiplicative Inverses of Matrices and Matrix Equations

6.5 Determinants and Cramer's Rule

7. Conic Sections

7.1 The Ellipse

7.2 The Hyperbola

7.3 The Parabola

8. Sequences, Induction, and Probability

8.1 Sequences and Summation Notation

8.2 Arithmetic Sequences

8.3 Geometric Sequences and Series

8.4 Mathematical Induction

8.5 The Binomial Theorem

8.6 Counting Principles, Permutations, and Combinations

8.7 Probability