Explorations in college algebra, by Linda Almgren Kime and Judith Clark. Pp. 649. £35.50. 1998. ISBN 0 471 10698 4 (Wiley).

Abstract

CHAPTER 1. AN INTRODUCTION TO DATA AND FUNCTIONS. 1.1 Describing Single-Variable Data. 1.2 Describing Relationships between Two Variables. 1.3 An Introduction to Functions. 1.4 The Language of Functions. 1.5 Visualizing Functions. CHAPTER 2. RATES OF CHANGE AND LINEAR FUNCTIONS. 2.1 Average Rates of Change. 2.2 Change in the Average Rate of Change. 2.3 The Average Rate of Change Is a Slope. 2.4 Putting a Slant on Data. 2.5 Linear Functions: When Rates of Change Are Constant. 2.6 Visualizing Linear Functions. 2.7 Constructing Graphs and Equations of Linear Functions. 2.8 Special Cases. 2.9 Breaking the Line: Piecewise Linear Functions. 2.10 Constructing Linear Models of Data. 2.11 Looking for Links between Education and Earnings: A Case Study on Using Regression Lines. CHAPTER 3. WHEN LINES MEET: LINEAR SYSTEMS. 3.1 Interpreting Intersection Points: Linear and Nonlinear Systems. 3.2 Visualizing and Solving Linear Systems. 3.3 Reading between the Lines: Linear Inequalities. 3.4 Systems with Piecewise Linear Functions: Tax Plans. CHAPTER 4. THE LAWS OF EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS: MEASURING THE UNIVERSE. 4.1 The Numbers of Science: Measuring Time and Space. 4.2 Positive Integer Exponents. 4.3 Zero, Negative, and Fractional Exponents. 4.4 Converting Units. 4.5 Orders of Magnitude. 4.6 Logarithms as Numbers. CHAPTER 5. GROWTH AND DECAY: AN INTRODUCTION TO EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS. 5.1 Exponential Growth. 5.2 Exponential Decay. 5.3 Comparing Linear and Exponential Functions. 5.4 Visualizing Exponential Functions. 5.5 Exponential Functions: A Constant Percent Change. 5.6 More Examples of Exponential Growth and Decay. 5.7 Compound Interest and the Number e. 5.8 Semi-Log Plots of Exponential Functions. CHAPTER 6. LOGARITHMIC LINKS: LOGARITHMIC AND EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS. 6.1 Using Logarithms to Solve Exponential Equations. 6.2 Using Natural Logarithms to Solve Exponential Equations Base e. 6.3 Visualizing and Applying Logarithmic Functions. 6.4 Using Semi-Log Plots to Construct Exponential Models for Data. C H A P T E R 7. POWER FUNCTIONS. 7.1 The Tension between Surface Area and Volume. 7.2 Direct Proportionality: Power Functions with Positive Powers. 7.3 Visualizing Positive Integer Power Functions. 7.4 Comparing Power and Exponential Functions. 7.5 Inverse Proportionality: Power Functions with Negative Powers. 7.6 Visualizing Negative Integer Power Functions. 7.7 Using Logarithmic Scales to Find the Best Functional Model. CHAPTER 8. QUADRATICS AND THE MATHEMATICS OF MOTION. 8.1 An Introduction to Quadratic Functions: The Standard Form. 8.2 Visualizing Quadratics: The Vertex Form. 8.3 The Standard Form vs. the Vertex Form. 8.4 Finding the Horizontal Intercepts: The Factored Form. 8.5 The Average Rate of Change of a Quadratic Function. 8.6 The Mathematics of Motion. CHAPTER 9. NEW FUNCTIONS FROM OLD. 9.1 Transformations. 9.2 The Algebra of Functions. 9.3 Polynomials: The Sum of Power Functions. 9.4 Rational Functions: The Quotient of Polynomials. 9.5 Composition and Inverse Functions. 9.6 Exploring, Extending & Expanding. APPENDIX Student Data Tables for Exploration 2.1. Data Dictionary for FAM1000 Data. SOLUTIONS For all Algebra Aerobics and Check Your Understanding problems for odd-numbered problems in the Exercises and Chapter Reviews. All solutions are grouped by chapter ANS-1. INDEX.