Intermediate Algebra, 7th edition

Published by Pearson (January 5, 2016) © 2017

  • Elayn Martin-Gay University of New Orleans, Lakefront

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For courses in intermediate algebra.

Every student can succeed.

Elayn Martin-Gay's developmental math textbooks and video resources are motivated by her firm belief that every student can succeed. Martin-Gay's focus on the student shapes her clear, accessible writing, inspires her constant pedagogical innovations, and contributes to the popularity and effectiveness of her video resources. This revision of Martin-Gay's algebra series continues her focus on students and what they need to be successful.

Also available with MyMathLab

MyMathLab® is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed to work with this text to engage students and improve results. Within its structured environment, students practice what they learn, test their understanding, and pursue a personalized study plan that helps them absorb course material and understand difficult concepts.

The Martin-Gay developmental math program offers a variety of print and digital resources so instructors can build the ideal learning solution for their students.


The textbook, available in print or digital format, is the keystone of the Martin-Gay program. Elayn Martin-Gay is known for her accessible writing style and for the depth of resources she provides for instructors and students in her texts.

  • Detailed step-by-step examples provide guidance for students.
  • Classroom Examples, paired with each example in the text, are available in the Annotated Instructor’s Edition for additional instructor support.
  • Concept Checks throughout the text allow students to gauge their grasp of an idea as it is presented in the text. By stressing conceptual understanding at the point of use, the Concept Checks help prevent misconceived notions for important topics.
  • Updated! All exercise sets have been carefully updated with this revision. Several special types of exercises throughout the text give students the practice they need: new Vocabulary, Readiness & Video Checks; Guided Applications; Mixed Practice; Concept Extension; and more!
  • Martin-Gay’s presentation of Study Skills ensures that students make the most of their valuable study time in order to help them succeed in this course. In-text study-skills resources include Section 1.1, Tips for Success in Mathematics and the new Student Resources section located in the back of the book.
  • End-of-chapter material offers students a wealth of review- and retention-oriented material to reinforce the concepts presented in current and previous chapters.
    • NEW! Getting Ready for the Test exercises give students another way to prepare for the test by checking their conceptual understanding and preventing common errors. These appear before each Chapter Test; all exercises are either multiple choice or matching, with answers available in the back of the text.

Also available with MyMathLab

MyMathLab® is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed to work with this text to engage students and improve results. Within its structured environment, students practice what they learn, test their understanding, and pursue a personalized study plan that helps them absorb course material and understand difficult concepts.

  • Updated! Martin-Gay’s video program has been updated and expanded and includes assignable video check questions, new Getting Ready for the Test videos for each chapter, and an increased number of watch clips at the exercise level to help students while doing homework in MyMathLab. All videos are presented by Elayn Martin-Gay to ensure 100% consistency with the text, and are available in both MyMathLab® and on the Interactive DVD Lecture Series. The following types of videos are available:
    • A complete lecture for each section of the text highlights key examples and exercises. Shorter, objective-level video clips are also available for student ease of use, and easier instructor assignability.
      • “Pop-ups” reinforce key terms, definitions, and concepts while Martin-Gay presents the material.
      • An easy-to-use navigation menu helps students quickly find and focus on the examples and exercises they need.
      • Interactive Concept Checks measure students’ understanding of key concepts and common trouble spots. After the viewer selects an answer from several multiple-choice options, Martin-Gay explains why the answer is correct or incorrect.
      • Video Check Questions are available and assignable in MyMathLab f

New and updated features in the textbook

  • Getting Ready for the Test exercises give students another way to prepare for the test by checking their conceptual understanding and preventing common errors. These appear before each Chapter Test; all exercises are either multiple choice or matching, with answers available in the back of the text.

Also available with MyMathLab

MyMathLab® is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed to work with this text to engage students and improve results. Within its structured environment, students practice what they learn, test their understanding, and pursue a personalized study plan that helps them absorb course material and understand difficult concepts.

  • Updated! Martin-Gay’s video program has been updated and expanded and includes assignable video check questions, new Getting Ready for the Test videos for each chapter, and an increased number of watch clips at the exercise level to help students while doing homework in MyMathLab. All videos are presented by Elayn Martin-Gay to ensure 100% consistency with the text, and are available in both MyMathLab® and on the Interactive DVD Lecture Series. The following types of videos are available:
    • Getting Ready for the Test videos can be found before each Chapter Test. Before each Chapter Test, there are exercises that help check student’s conceptual understanding of the topics in the chapter as well as help them focus in on and avoid common errors. It is suggested that students complete and check these exercises before taking a practice Chapter Test. All exercises are either Multiple Choice or Matching, and all answers can be found in the answer section of this text. With these new videos:
      • Video Solutions of all Getting Ready for the Test exercises can be found in MyMathLab and on the Interactive DVD Lecture Series. These video solutions contain brief explanations and reminders of material in the chapter. Where applicable, incorrect choices contain explanations.
      • Getting Ready for the Test exercise numbers, marked in blue, indicate that the question is available in Learning Catalytics.
    • Student Success Tips videos are 3–5 minute segments, designed to be daily reminders to keep practicing effective organizational and study habits. These are organized into three categories:
      • Success Tips that apply to any college course, such as Time Management.
      • Success Tips that apply to any mathematics course, such as understanding that math requires homework to be completed in a timely fashion, as concepts build on previously learned material.
      • Section or Content-specific Success Tips to help students avoid common mistakes or understand challenging concepts, such as applying the order of operations to simplify an expression.
  • Learning Catalytics Questions: MyMathLab now provides Learning Catalytics—an interactive, student response tool that uses students’ smartphones, tablets, or laptops to engage them in more sophisticated tasks and thinking. You can use the built-in questions or make your own!
    • Getting Ready for the Test exercises are included at the end of each chapter before the chapter test. Exercise numbers in blue are available in Learning Catalytics. These are also noted in the Annotated Instructor’s Edition.
  • Key Concept and Activity Lab Workbook is a great way to engage students in conceptual projects and exploration, as well as group work. The Workbook includes Extension Exercises, Exploration Activities, Conceptual Exercises, and Group Activities.

Table of Contents

  1. Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
    • 1.1 Study Skill Tips for Success in Mathematics
    • 1.2 Algebraic Expressions and Sets of Numbers
    • 1.3 Operations on Real Numbers and Order of Operations
      • Integrated Review—Algebraic Expressions and Operations on Whole Numbers
    • 1.4 Properties of Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
  2. Equations, Inequalities, and Problem Solving
    • 2.1 Linear Equations in One Variable
    • 2.2 An Introduction to Problem Solving
    • 2.3 Formulas and Problem Solving
    • 2.4 Linear Inequalities and Problem Solving
      • Integrated Review—Linear Equations and Inequalities
    • 2.5 Compound Inequalities
    • 2.6 Absolute Value Equations
    • 2.7 Absolute Value Inequalities
  3. Graphs and Functions
    • 3.1 Graphing Equations
    • 3.2 Introduction to Functions
    • 3.3 Graphing Linear Functions
    • 3.4 The Slope of a Line
    • 3.5 Equations of Lines
      • Integrated Review—Linear Equations in Two Variables
    • 3.6 Graphing Piecewise-Defined Functions and Shifting and Reflecting Graphs of Functions
    • 3.7 Graphing Linear Inequalities
  4. Systems of Equations
    • 4.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
    • 4.2 Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables
    • 4.3 Systems of Linear Equations and Problem Solving
      • Integrated Review—Systems of Linear Equations
    • 4.4 Solving Systems of Equations by Matrices
    • 4.5 Systems of Linear Inequalities
  5. Exponents, Polynomials, and Polynomial Functions
    • 5.1 Exponents and Scientific Notation
    • 5.2 More Work with Exponents and Scientific Notation
    • 5.3 Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
    • 5.4 Multiplying Polynomials
    • 5.5 The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping
    • 5.6 Factoring Trinomials
    • 5.7 Factoring by Special Products
      • Integrated Review—Operations on Polynomials and Factoring Strategies
    • 5.8 Solving Equations by Factoring and Problem Solving
  6. Rational Expressions
    • 6.1 Rational Functions and Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
    • 6.2 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
    • 6.3 Simplifying Complex Fractions
    • 6.4 Dividing Polynomials: Long Division and Synthetic Division
    • 6.5 Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions
      • Integrated Review—Expressions and Equations Containing Rational Expressions
    • 6.6 Rational Equations and Problem Solving
    • 6.7 Variation and Problem Solving
  7. Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers
    • 7.1 Radicals and Radical Functions
    • 7.2 Rational Exponents
    • 7.3 Simplifying Radical Expressions
    • 7.4 Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Radical Expressions
    • 7.5 Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators of Radical Expressions
      • Integrated Review—Radicals and Rational Exponents
    • 7.6 Radical Equations and Problem Solving
    • 7.7 Complex Numbers
  8. Quadratic Equations and Functions
    • 8.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square
    • 8.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula
    • 8.3 Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods
      • Integrated Review—Summary on Solving Quadratic Equations
    • 8.4 Nonlinear Inequalities in One Variable
    • 8.5 Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs
    • 8.6 Further Graphing of Quadratic Functions
  9. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
    • 9.1 The Algebra of Functions; Composite Functions
    • 9.2 Inverse Functions
    • 9.3 Exponential Functions
    • 9.4 Exponential Growth and Decay Functions
    • 9.5 Logarithmic Functions
    • 9.6 Properties of Logarithms
      • Integrated Review—Functions and Properties of Logarithms
    • 9.7 Common Logarithms, Natural Logarithms, and Change of Base
    • 9.8 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations and Problem Solving
  10. Conic Sections
    • 10.1 The Parabola and the Circle
    • 10.2 The Ellipse and the Hyperbola
      • Integrated Review—Graphing Conic Sections
    • 10.3 Solving Nonlinear Systems of Equations
    • 10.4 Nonlinear Inequalities and Systems of Inequalities
  11. Sequences, Series, and the Binomial Theorem
    • 11.1 Sequences
    • 11.2 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
    • 11.3 Series
      • Integrated Review—Sequences and Series
    • 11.4 Partial Sums of Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
    • 11.5 The Binomial Theorem

Appendices

  1. Geometry
  2. Stretching and Compressing Graphs of Absolute Value Functions
  3. Solving Systems of Equations Using Determinants
  4. An Introduction to Using a Graphing Utility

Student Resources

Study Skills Builders

Bigger Picture—Study Guide Outline

Practice Final Exam

Elayn Martin-Gay has taught mathematics at the University of New Orleans for more than 25 years. Her numerous teaching awards include the local University Alumni Association’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Outstanding Developmental Educator at University of New Orleans, presented by the Louisiana Association of Developmental Educators.

Prior to writing textbooks, Elayn Martin-Gay developed an acclaimed series of lecture videos to support developmental mathematics students. These highly successful videos originally served as the foundation materials for her texts. Today, the videos are specific to each book in her series. She has also created Chapter Test Prep Videos to help students during their most “teachable moment”–as they prepare for a test–along with Instructor-to-Instructor videos that provide teaching tips, hints, and suggestions for every developmental mathematics course, including basic mathematics, prealgebra, beginning algebra, and intermediate algebra.

Elayn is the author of 12 published textbooks and numerous multimedia interactive products, all specializing in developmental mathematics courses. She has also published series in Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry.  She has participated as an author across a broad range of educational materials: textbooks, videos, tutorial software, and courseware. This offers an opportunity for multiple combinations for an integrated teaching and learning package, offering great consistency for the student.

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