Elementary Algebra

Description

New and updated features of this title

• Updated data sets are as current and relevant as possible:
  • 241 data sets in examples and exercises have been augmented to include recent years.
  • 317 data sets have been replaced with more compelling and timely topics such as immigration, national health care and trust in the mass media.
• New Large Data Set exercises encompass up to thousands of rows and tens of columns of data and get students comfortable with analyzing big data.
• New downloadable data sets consist of 16 or more data values and support the appropriate use of technology when completing exercises and labs. These can be downloaded as Excel^® files or opened in StatCrunch^® for analysis.
• Updated Taking It To the Lab activities get students hands-on with making their own data and using the scientific method. All 8 Climate Change Labs have been updated to address the latest data and political events concerning this essential global issue.

About our author

Jay Lehmann has taught for the past 25 years at College of San Mateo, where he received the “shiny apple award” for excellence in teaching. He has presented at over 80 conferences including AMATYC and ICTCM over the past 16 years. Jay is currently the newsletter editor for California Mathematics Council, Community Colleges (CMC3). Still young at heart, he plays in a rock band appropriately named the Procrastinistas. Jay has authored several algebra textbooks published by Pearson and has also recently completed a Prestatistics textbook.

In the words of the author:

“Before writing my algebra series, it was painfully apparent that my students couldn’t relate to the applications in the course. I was plagued with the question, “What is this good for?” To try to bridge that gap, I wrote some labs, which facilitated my students in collecting data, finding models via curve fitting, and using the models to make estimates and predictions. My students really loved working with the current, compelling, and authentic data and experiencing how mathematics truly is useful.

“My students’ response was so strong that I decided to write an algebra series. Little did I know that to realize this goal, I would need to embark on a 15-year challenging journey, but the rewards of hearing such excitement from students and faculty across the country have made it all worthwhile! I’m proud to have played even a small role in raising people’s respect and enthusiasm for mathematics.

“I have tried to honor my inspiration: by working with authentic data, students can experience the power of mathematics. A random-sample study at my college suggests that I am achieving this goal. The study concludes that students who used my series were more likely to feel that mathematics would be useful in their lives (P-value 0.0061) as well as their careers (P-value 0.024).

“The series is excellent preparation for subsequent courses; in particular, because of the curve fitting and emphasis on interpreting the contextual meaning of parameters, it is an ideal primer for statistics. In addition to curve fitting, my approach includes other types of meaningful modeling, directed-discovery explorations, conceptual questions, and of course, a large bank of skill problems. The curve-fitting applications serve as a portal for students to see the usefulness of mathematics so that they become fully engaged in the class. Once involved, they are more receptive to all aspects of the course.”

For courses in Beginning Algebra.

Modeling authentic data through curve-fitting gives students new meaning to the math

Seeking the answer to students’ perennial question “But what is this good for?” the Lehmann Algebra Series uses authentic, real-life data sets to find models and derive equations that fit the scenario. The curve-fitting approach teaches the mathematical concepts within the context of data, getting students engaged from the start and building conceptual understanding.

Updates in this revision keep the data sets authentic and current, and provide even more resources for students to practice, review, and explore the concepts.

Also available with MyLab Math

By combining trusted author content with digital tools and a flexible platform, MyLabTM personalizes the learning experience and improves results for each student.

Note: You are purchasing a standalone product; MyLab Math does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MyLab Math, ask your instructor to confirm the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

If you would like to purchase both the physical text and MyLab Math, search for:

0134776119 / 9780134776118 Elementary Algebra: Graphs and Authentic Applications Plus MyMathLab — Access Card Package, 3/e

Package consists of:

• 0134756991 / 9780134756998 Elementary Algebra: Graphs and Authentic Applications, 3/e
• 0134781422 / 9780134781426 MyMathLab with Pearson eText — Standalone Access Card — for Elementary Algebra: Graphs and Authentic Applications, 3/e

1. Introduction to Modeling
   • 1.1 Variables and Constants
   • 1.2 Scatterplots
   • 1.3 Exact Linear Relationships
   • 1.4 Approximate Linear Relationships
     • Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab • Volume Lab • Linear Graphing Lab: Topic of Your Choice
2. Operations and Expressions
   • 2.1 Expressions
   • 2.2 Operations with Fractions
   • 2.3 Absolute Value and Adding Real Numbers
   • 2.4 Change in a Quantity and Subtracting Real Numbers
   • 2.5 Ratios, Percents, and Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers
   • 2.6 Exponents and Order of Operations
     • Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 1) • Stocks Lab
3. Using Slope To Graph Linear Equations
   • 3.1 Graphing Equations of the Forms y = mx + b and x = a
   • 3.2 Graphing Linear Models; Unit Analysis
   • 3.3 Slope of a Line
   • 3.4 Using Slope to Graph Linear Equations
   • 3.5 Rate of Change
     • Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab
4. Simplifying Expressions and Solving Equations
   • 4.1 Simplifying Expressions
   • 4.2 Simplifying More Expressions
   • 4.3 Solving Linear Equations in One Variable
   • 4.4 Solving More Linear Equations in One Variable
   • 4.5 Comparing Expressions and Equations
   • 4.6 Formulas
5. Linear Equations in Two Variables and Linear Inequalities in One Variable
   • 5.1 Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables
   • 5.2 Finding Equations of Lines
   • 5.3 Finding Equations of Linear Models
   • 5.4 Using Equations of Linear Models to Make Estimates and Predictions
   • 5.5 Solving Linear Inequalities in One Variable
     • Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 3) • Rope Lab • Shadow Lab • Linear Lab: Topic of Your Choice
6. Systems of Linear Equations and Systems of Linear Inequalities
   • 6.1 Using Graphs and Tables to Solve Systems
   • 6.2 Using Substitution to Solve Systems
   • 6.3 Using Elimination to Solve Systems
   • 6.4 Using Systems to Model Data
   • 6.5 Perimeter, Value, Interest, and Mixture Problems
   • 6.6 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables; Systems of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
     • Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 5)
7. Polynomials and Properties of Exponents
   • 7.1 Graphing Quadratic Equations
   • 7.2 Quadratic Models
   • 7.3 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
   • 7.4 Multiplying Polynomials
   • 7.5 Powers of Polynomials; Product of Binomial Conjugates
   • 7.6 Properties of Exponents
   • 7.7 Negative-Integer Exponents
   • 7.8 Dividing Polynomials
     • Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 6) • Projectile Lab
8. Factoring Polynomials and Solving Polynomial Equations
   • 8.1 Factoring Trinomials of the Form x² + bx + c and Differences of Two Squares
   • 8.2 Factoring Out the GCF; Factoring by Grouping
   • 8.3 Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax² + bx + c
   • 8.4 Sums and Differences of Cubes; A Factoring Strategy
   • 8.5 Using Factoring to Solve Polynomial Equations
   • 8.6 Using Factoring to Make Predictions with Quadratic Models
9. Solving Quadratic Equations
   • 9.1 Simplifying Radical Expressions
   • 9.2 Simplifying More Radical Expressions
   • 9.3 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Square Root Property; The Pythagorean Theorem
   • 9.4 Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square
   • 9.5 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula
   • 9.6 More Quadratic Models
     • Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 7) • Projectile Lab (continued from Chapter 7)
10. Rational Expressions and Equations
    • 10.1 Simplifying Rational Expressions
    • 10.2 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions; Converting Units
    • 10.3 Adding Rational Expressions
    • 10.4 Subtracting Rational Expressions
    • 10.5 Solving Rational Equations
    • 10.6 Proportions; Similar Triangles
    • 10.7 Variation
    • 10.8 Simplifying Complex Rational Expressions
      • Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 9) • Estimating π Lab
11. More Radical Expressions and Equations
    • 11.1 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions
    • 11.2 Multiplying Radical Expressions
    • 11.3 Solving Square Root Equations

APPENDICES

• A. Using A TI-83 or TI-84 Graphing Calculator
• B. Using StatCrunch

For courses in Beginning Algebra.

Looking for a new sound in algebra?  Modeling authentic data through curve-fitting gives students new meaning to the math.

Seeking the answer to students’ perennial question “But what is this good for?” the Lehmann Algebra Series uses authentic, real-life data sets to find models and derive equations that fit the scenario. The curve-fitting approach teaches the mathematical concepts within the context of data, getting students engaged from the start and building conceptual understanding. 

Updates in this revision keep the data sets authentic and current, and provide even more resources for students to practice, review, and explore the concepts. 

Also available with MyLab Math 

MyLab™ Math is the teaching and learning platform that empowers you to reach every student. By combining trusted author content with digital tools and a flexible platform, MyLab Math personalizes the learning experience and improves results for each student. MyLab Math provides abundant opportunities to explore concepts, analyze data, and practice skills. Learn more about MyLab Math.

Hallmark features of this title

• Curve-fitting approach: This central theme guides students through a 4-step modeling process. Students are asked to examine data, find an equation, verify that the model fits the scenario, and use the model to make estimates and predictions.
• Hundreds of data sets in the text collected from scientific experiments, the Internet, the news and the census teach students to find equations of functions to model the data.
• Explorations promote active, collaborative learning. Most sections include at least 1 Group Exploration, which are designed to have students apply concepts they have learned in the section in new ways.
• End-of-section exercise sets include Modeling exercises, Related Review exercises, Expressions, Equations, Functions, and Graphs exercises and more.