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College Algebra, 8th edition

Published by Pearson (March 25, 2021) © 2022

  • Robert F. Blitzer Miami Dade College

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For courses in College Algebra.

"Your world is profoundly mathematical."

Learn how our world is profoundly mathematical. In College Algebra, 8th Edition, Bob Blitzer continues to support and inspire students with his engaging approach, making this a series that is beloved year after year by students and instructors alike. Blitzer's unique background in mathematics and behavioral science presents readers with 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 their lives.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Voice balloons translate algebraic ideas into everyday English, clarify problem-solving procedures, and more.
  • Check Point Examples: Each example is followed by a similar matched problem to help students test their understanding.
  • Great Question! presents study tips in the context of students' questions. Answers offer problem solving suggestions, point out errors to avoid, and give hints and suggestions.
  • Graphing and Functions that model data appear in nearly every section and exercise set.
  • Brief Review boxes summarize the key mathematical skills students need to master chapter objectives, appearing where a skill is first needed.
  • Section Exercise Sets are ample and consistently organized, helping instructors create assignments that meet student needs.

New and updated features of this title

  • Each section starts out with a motivating hook that is continued through the section examples and exercises. New applications in the 8th Edition include 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; and more.
  • New in-text teaching tools: Every section in the Annotated Instructor's Edition includes a list of resources that are available in MyLab Math to incorporate into teaching or homework assignments.
  • Learning Guide (also available in print format) includes:
    • Guided Practice worksheets for each section of the text. These worksheets start with a catchy headline and motivating real-world connection followed by numerous Solved Problems and accompanying Pencil Problems.
    • Classroom Activities for selected sections that contain recommended group size, material needed, and time to complete.
    • Integrated Review worksheets for every prerequisite objective feature both instruction and practice; new Integrated Review Activities for selected topics provide hands-on work with important prerequisites.

Features of MyLab Math for the 8th Edition

  • Gradable GeoGebra Graphing Exercises enable students to interact 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, helping students see concepts through directed explorations and purposeful manipulation.
  • Added content for corequisite courses includes Corequisite Support eText; instructional videos and an assignable library of algorithmic exercises for each corequisite objective; classroom activities; Corequisite Implementation Guide with guidelines for using course materials to teach various corequisite models.
  • Pre-built assignments include Integrated Review  at the chapter level that provides a Skills Check assessment to pinpoint prerequisites topics that might require review.
  • Video Assignments featuring short videos with corresponding MyLab Math exercises are available for each section of the text.
  • Enhanced Assignments are section-level assignments that include just-in-time prerequisite review, help keep skills fresh by reinforcing key concepts, and provide opportunities to work selected exercises without learning aids so students check their understanding.

P. 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
  • Mid-Chapter Check Point
  • P.5 Factoring Polynomials
  • P.6 Rational Expressions
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter P Test

1. Equations and Inequalities

  • 1.1 Graphs and Graphing Utilities
  • 1.2 Linear Equations and Rational Equations
  • 1.3 Models and Applications
  • 1.4 Complex Numbers
  • 1.5 Quadratic Equations
  • Mid-Chapter Check Point
  • 1.6 Other Types of Equations
  • 1.7 Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Inequalities
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter 1 Test

2. Functions and Graphs

  • 2.1 Basics of Functions and Their Graphs
  • 2.2 More on Functions and Their Graphs
  • 2.3 Linear Functions and Slope
  • 2.4 More on Slope
  • Mid-Chapter Check Point
  • 2.5 Transformations of Functions
  • 2.6 Combinations of Functions; Composite Functions
  • 2.7 Inverse Functions
  • 2.8 Distance and Midpoint Formulas; Circles
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter 2 Test
  • Cumulative Review Exercises Chapters 1 - 2

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
  • Mid-Chapter Check Point
  • 3.5 Rational Functions and Their Graphs
  • 3.6 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
  • 3.7 Modeling Using Variation
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter 3 Test
  • Cumulative Review Exercises Chapters 1 - 3

4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

  • 4.1 Exponential Functions
  • 4.2 Logarithmic Functions
  • 4.3 Properties of Logarithms
  • Mid-Chapter Check Point
  • 4.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
  • 4.5 Exponential Growth and Decay; Modeling Data
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter 4 Test
  • Cumulative Review Exercises Chapters 1 - 4

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
  • Mid-Chapter Check Point
  • 5.5 Systems of Inequalities
  • 5.6 Linear Programming
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter 5 Test
  • Cumulative Review Chapters 1 - 5

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
  • Mid-Chapter Check Point
  • 6.4 Multiplicative Inverses of Matrices and Matrix Equations
  • 6.5 Determinants and Cramer's Rule
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter 6 Test
  • Cumulative Review Chapters 1 - 6

7. Conic Sections

  • 7.1 The Ellipse
  • 7.2 The Hyperbola
  • Mid-Chapter Check Point
  • 7.3 The Parabola
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter 7 Test
  • Cumulative Review Chapters 1 - 7

8. Sequences, Induction, and Probability

  • 8.1 Sequences and Summation Notation
  • 8.2 Arithmetic Sequences
  • 8.3 Geometric Sequences and Series
  • Mid-Chapter Check Point
  • 8.4 Mathematical Induction
  • 8.5 The Binomial Theorem
  • 8.6 Counting Principles, Permutations, and Combinations
  • 8.7 Probability
  • Summary, Review, and Test
  • Review Exercises
  • Chapter 8 Test
  • Cumulative Review Chapters 1-8

Appendix

  • Where Did That Come From? Selected Proofs

Answers to Selected Exercises (Selected answers in Student Edition. In Annotated Instructor's Edition, the longer answers that don't fit next to exercises appear here.)

Subject Index

Credits

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 Thinking Mathematically, Bob has written textbooks covering introductory algebra, intermediate algebra, college algebra, algebra and trigonometry, precalculus, and trigonometry. 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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