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College Algebra, 12th edition

Published by Pearson (May 3, 2024) © 2025

  • Michael Sullivan Chicago State University

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In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More supportive. Get AI explanations and practice questions (select titles).
  • More interactive. Bring learning to life with audio, videos, and diagrams.
  • More memorable. Make concepts stick with highlights, search, notes, and flashcards.
  • More understandable. Translate text into 100+ languages with one tap.

In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More supportive. Get AI explanations and practice questions (select titles).
  • More interactive. Bring learning to life with audio, videos, and diagrams.
  • More memorable. Make concepts stick with highlights, search, notes, and flashcards.
  • More understandable. Translate text into 100+ languages with one tap.

In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More supportive. Get AI explanations and practice questions (select titles).
  • More interactive. Bring learning to life with audio, videos, and diagrams.
  • More memorable. Make concepts stick with highlights, search, notes, and flashcards.
  • More understandable. Translate text into 100+ languages with one tap.

Title overview

Wherever you are in math preparation, College Algebra supports you through your mathematics journey. It offers the high-quality exercises that distinguish Sullivan texts, with his proven “Prepare, practice, review” method: prepare for class, practice with homework, and review concepts.

The 12th Edition adds many new and revised exercises and examples, adds new learning tips in margin notes, updates all graphing utility content and images, and much more.

Table of contents

R. Review

  • R.1 Real Numbers
  • R.2 Algebra Essentials
  • R.3 Geometry Essentials
  • R.4 Polynomials
  • R.5 Factoring Polynomials
  • R.6 Synthetic Division
  • R.7 Rational Expressions
  • R.8 nth Roots; Rational Exponents

1. Equations and Inequalities

  • 1.1 Linear Equations
  • 1.2 Quadratic Equations
  • 1.3 Complex Numbers; Quadratic Equations in the Complex Number System
  • 1.4 Radical Equations; Equations Quadratic in Form; Factorable Equations
  • 1.5 Solving Inequalities
  • 1.6 Equations and Inequalities Involving Absolute Value
  • 1.7 Problem Solving: Interest, Mixture, Uniform Motion, Constant Rate Job Applications
  • Chapter 1 Review, Test, and Projects

2. Graphs

  • 2.1 The Distance and Midpoint Formulas
  • 2.2 Graphs of Equations in Two Variables; Intercepts; Symmetry
  • 2.3 Lines
  • 2.4 Circles
  • 2.5 Variation
  • Chapter 2 Review, Test, and Projects

3. Functions and Their Graphs

  • 3.1 Functions
  • 3.2 The Graph of a Function
  • 3.3 Properties of Functions
  • 3.4 Library of Functions; Piecewise-defined Functions
  • 3.5 Graphing Techniques: Transformations
  • 3.6 Mathematical Models: Building Functions
  • Chapter 3 Review, Test, and Projects

4. Linear and Quadratic Functions

  • 4.1 Properties of Linear Functions and Linear Models
  • 4.2 Building Linear Models from Data
  • 4.3 Quadratic Functions and Their Properties
  • 4.4 Build Quadratic Models from Verbal Descriptions and from Data
  • 4.5 Inequalities Involving Quadratic Functions
  • Chapter 4 Review, Test, and Projects

5. Polynomial and Rational Functions

  • 5.1 Polynomial Functions
  • 5.2 Graphing Polynomials Functions; Models
  • 5.3 Properties of Rational Functions
  • 5.4 The Graph of a Rational Function
  • 5.5 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
  • 5.6 The Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function
  • Chapter 5 Review, Test, and Projects

6. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

  • 6.1 Composite Functions
  • 6.2 One-to-One Functions; Inverse Functions
  • 6.3 Exponential Functions
  • 6.4 Logarithmic Functions
  • 6.5 Properties of Logarithms
  • 6.6 Logarithmic and Exponential Equations
  • 6.7 Financial Models
  • 6.8 Exponential Growth and Decay Models; Newton's Law; Logistic Growth and Decay Models
  • 6.9 Building Exponential, Logarithmic, and Logistic Models from Data
  • Chapter 6 Review, Test, and Projects

7. Analytic Geometry

  • 7.1 Conics
  • 7.2 The Parabola
  • 7.3 The Ellipse
  • 7.4 The Hyperbola
  • Chapter 7 Review, Test, and Projects

8. Systems of Equations and Inequalities

  • 8.1 Systems of Linear Equations: Substitution and Elimination
  • 8.2 Systems of Linear Equations: Matrices
  • 8.3 Systems of Linear Equations: Determinants
  • 8.4 Matrix Algebra
  • 8.5 Partial Fraction Decomposition
  • 8.6 Systems of Nonlinear Equations
  • 8.7 Systems of Inequalities
  • 8.8 Linear Programming
  • Chapter 8 Review, Test, and Projects

9. Sequences; Induction; the Binomial Theorem

  • 9.1 Sequences
  • 9.2 Arithmetic Sequences
  • 9.3 Geometric Sequences; Geometric Series
  • 9.4 Mathematical Induction
  • 9.5 The Binomial Theorem
  • Chapter 9 Review, Test, and Projects

10. Counting and Probability

  • 10.1 Counting
  • 10.2 Permutations and Combinations
  • 10.3 Probability
  • Chapter 10 Review, Test, and Projects

Appendix: Graphing Utilities

  • A.1 The Viewing Rectangle
  • A.2 Using a Graphing Utility to Graph Equations
  • A.3 Using a Graphing Utility to Locate Intercepts and Check for Symmetry
  • A.4 Using a Graphing Utility to Solve Equations
  • A.5 Square Screens
  • A.6 Using a Graphing Utility to Graph Inequalities
  • A.7 Using a Graphing Utility to Solve Systems of Linear Equations

Answers

Credits

Index

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