College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course, 1st edition

For courses in Intermediate and College Algebra.

A streamlined experience

College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course is an innovative new program from the Beecher author team. Designed to meet the changing needs of students and instructors in Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra courses, this program eliminates the repetition in topic coverage across the traditional, 2-course sequence. The result is a streamlined course experience that makes better use of time and resources. The careful arrangement of topics motivates students and creates a solid foundation of knowledge. This streamlined approach is complemented by the authors' innovative ability to help students “see the math” through their focus on visualization, early introduction to functions and graphing, and making connections between math concepts and the real world.

Hallmark features of this title

• Eliminating the repetition of topics across the 2-course sequence makes better use of students' time and resources.
  • Chapter R (Review of Basic Algebra) covers the prerequisites skills and concepts needed for the intermediate and college algebra material. Instructors can assign the chapter in an individualized instruction format (since students enter the course at various levels of math background), cover some or all of the chapter with the entire class at the beginning of the course, or refer students to it on a just-in-time basis as each topic is needed.
  • With Chapter 2 (Graphs, Functions, and Applications), graphs and functions are introduced early and continue as a thread that runs through the course. This gives the instructor the opportunity to use the visual element of graphing to show students how solutions of equations, zeros of functions, and x-intercepts of graphs are related.
  • Chapters 1 (Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities), 3 (Systems of Equations), 9 (Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions), and 11 (Conic Sections) deal with topics that are traditionally covered in both intermediate and college algebra. Here, this repetition is eliminated.
  • Chapters 4 (Polynomials and Polynomial Functions) and 5 (Rational Expressions, Equations, and Functions) provide thorough coverage of these topics, thus laying a solid foundation for the more advanced College Algebra coverage of these topics in Chapter 8.
  • Chapters 6 (Radical Expressions, Equations, and Functions) and 7 (Quadratic Functions and Equations) blend topics from intermediate algebra with those traditionally taught in college algebra.
  • Chapters 10 (Matrices) and 12 (Sequences, Series, and Combinatorics) end the course with topics traditionally covered in college algebra.
• Visualizing concepts and making connections:
• Because the concept of a function can be challenging for students, the authors consistently use the language and notation of functions, visually relate functions to equations and graphs, and show how we use functions to model real data throughout the course.
• By introducing functions and graphs early (in Chapter 2), the authors are able to show both algebraic and graphical solutions to examples. Adding this element of visualization helps students quickly develop an understanding of the concepts.
• Integrated review and reinforcement: Frequent opportunities for practice and review help students develop a solid understanding of algebra skills and concepts.
• Now Try Exercises, following most Examples, direct students to work a similar problem in the section exercises for immediate reinforcement of the material just covered.
• Mid-Chapter Reviews offer mixed review exercise sets to help students reinforce their understanding of the concepts. Also included are Collaborative Discussion and Writing exercises for small group or class discussion of concepts.
• Section exercises cover concepts just presented and offer ongoing review of topics presented earlier in the course.
• Vocabulary exercises check students' understanding of the language of mathematics and can serve as reading quizzes.
• Skill Maintenance Exercises allow students to review and reinforce previously learned material. Synthesis Exercises encourage critical thinking by asking students to apply multiple skills or concepts within a single exercise. Selected exercise sets start with a set of Reading Check exercises designed to check students' grasp of the concepts and skills in the section.
• Chapter Summary and Review offers comprehensive in-text practice and review. The Study Guide, with key concepts, terms, and examples, provides students with a concise and effective review of the chapter for test prep.
• Chapter Test gives students the opportunity to test themselves and target areas for further study before the class test.