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Precalculus, 7th edition

Published by Pearson (April 20, 2021) © 2022

  • Robert F. Blitzer Miami Dade College

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For courses in precalculus.

"Your world is profoundly mathematical."

Bob Blitzer continues to support and inspire students with his engaging approach, making Precalculus beloved year after year by students and instructors alike. Blitzer's unique background in mathematics and behavioral science informs a wide range of applications, drawn from pop culture and up-to-date references, that appeal to students of all majors and connect math to students' lives. In the 7th Edition, relevant new applications topics include World Tiger Population, COVID-19 Pandemic, Area Burned by Wildfires in the U.S., Use of Social Media by Age and more.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Voice balloons translate algebraic ideas into everyday English, clarify procedures, present alternative ways of understanding concepts, and connect problem solving to concepts. 
  • Check Point Examples: Each example is followed by a similar matched problem called a Check Point, giving students a chance to test their understanding. 
  • Great Question! presents study tips in the context of students' questions and can help alleviate anxiety about asking questions in class. 
  • Graphing and Functions that model data appear in nearly every section and exercise set.
  • Brief Review boxes summarize the prerequisite mathematical skills students need to master the chapter's objectives.
  • Section Exercise Sets are ample and consistently organized.

New and updated features of this title

  • Bob Blitzer's distinctive and relatable voice engages students in the world of math through compelling, real-world applications. Each section starts out with a motivating hook that is continued through the section examples and exercises. Applications cover topics relevant to students, including many new to the 7th Edition: 
    • World Tiger Population
    • COVID-19 Pandemic (extensive coverage, including a section opener, Cumulative Review, Exercises, and Examples) 
    • Area Burned by Wildfires in the U.S.
    • Use of Social Media by Age 
  • In-text teaching tools: Every section in the Annotated Instructor's Edition now includes a list of resources to incorporate into teaching or homework assignments.

Features of MyLab Math for the 7th Edition

  • GeoGebra Graphing Exercises are gradable graphing exercises that help students demonstrate their understanding, interacting directly with the graph as they would graph on paper. 
  • Expanded library of Interactive Figures adds many more Interactive Figures (in editable GeoGebra format) to the Video & Resource Library. 
  • Substantially increased material for corequisite courses includes a Corequisite Support eText, Instructional Videos and an assignable library of algorithmic exercises for each objective, Readiness Quizzes, and a Corequisite Implementation Guide.
  • Integrated Review  at the chapter level provides a Skills Check assessment to pinpoint which prerequisites topics, if any, students need to review.  Instructors who prefer to review at the section level can assign the Enhanced Assignments instead. 
  • Personal Inventory Assessments promote self-reflection, including topics such as Stress Management, Time Management, and Diagnosing Poor Performance & Enhancing Motivation.
  • Mindset videos and assignable, open-ended exercises foster a growth mindset in students, encouraging them to maintain a positive attitude about learning, value their own ability to grow, and view mistakes as learning opportunities.

P. Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

  • P.1 Algebraic Expressions, Mathematical Models, and Real Numbers
  • P.2 Exponents and Scientific Notation
  • P.3 Radicals and Rational Exponents
  • P.4 Polynomials
  • P.5 Factoring Polynomials
  • P.6 Rational Expressions
  • P.7 Equations
  • P.8 Modeling with Equations
  • P.9 Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Inequalities
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter P Test

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
  • 1.10 Modeling with Functions

2. Polynomial and Rational Functions

  • 2.1 Complex Numbers
  • 2.2 Quadratic Functions
  • 2.3 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs
  • 2.4 Dividing Polynomials; Remainder and Factor Theorems
  • 2.5 Zeros of Polynomial Functions
  • 2.6 Rational Functions and Their Graphs
  • 2.7 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
  • 2.8 Modeling Using Variation

3. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

  • 3.1 Exponential Functions
  • 3.2 Logarithmic Functions
  • 3.3 Properties of Logarithms
  • 3.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
  • 3.5 Exponential Growth and Decay; Modeling Data

4. Trigonometric Functions

  • 4.1 Angles and Radian Measure
  • 4.2 Trigonometric Functions: The Unit Circle
  • 4.3 Right Triangle Trigonometry
  • 4.4 Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle
  • 4.5 Graphs of Sine and Cosine Functions
  • 4.6 Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions
  • 4.7 Inverse Trigonometric Functions
  • 4.8 Applications of Trigonometric Functions

5. Analytic Trigonometry

  • 5.1 Verifying Trigonometric Identities
  • 5.2 Sum and Difference Formulas
  • 5.3 Double-Angle, Power-Reducing, and Half-Angle Formulas
  • 5.4 Product-to-Sum and Sum-to-Product Formulas
  • 5.5 Trigonometric Equations

6. Additional Topics in Trigonometry

  • 6.1 The Law of Sines
  • 6.2 The Law of Cosines
  • 6.3 Polar Coordinates
  • 6.4 Graphs of Polar Equations
  • 6.5 Complex Numbers in Polar Form; DeMoivre's Theorem
  • 6.6 Vectors
  • 6.7 The Dot Product

7. Systems of Equations and Inequalities

  • 7.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
  • 7.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables
  • 7.3 Partial Fractions
  • 7.4 Systems of Nonlinear Equations in Two Variables
  • 7.5 Systems of Inequalities
  • 7.6 Linear Programming

8. Matrices and Determinants

  • 8.1 Matrix Solutions to Linear Systems
  • 8.2 Inconsistent and Dependent Systems and Their Applications
  • 8.3 Matrix Operations and Their Applications
  • 8.4 Multiplicative Inverses of Matrices and Matrix Equations
  • 8.5 Determinants and Cramer's Rule

9. Conic Sections and Analytic Geometry

  • 9.1 The Ellipse
  • 9.2 The Hyperbola
  • 9.3 The Parabola
  • 9.4 Rotation of Axes
  • 9.5 Parametric Equations
  • 9.6 Conic Sections in Polar Coordinates

10. Sequences, Induction, and Probability

  • 10.1 Sequences and Summation Notation
  • 10.2 Arithmetic Sequences
  • 10.3 Geometric Sequences and Series
  • 10.4 Mathematical Induction
  • 10.5 The Binomial Theorem
  • 10.6 Counting Principles, Permutations, and Combinations
  • 10.7 Probability

11. Introduction to Calculus

  • 11.1 Finding Limits Using Tables and Graphs
  • 11.2 Finding Limits Using Properties of Limits
  • 11.3 Limits and Continuity
  • 11.4 Introduction to Derivatives

About our author

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 Precalculus, Bob has written textbooks covering developmental mathematics, introductory algebra, intermediate algebra, trigonometry, college algebra, algebra & trigonometry, 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. 

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