Precalculus: Graphs and Models

The Barnett Graphs & Models series in college algebra and precalculus maximizes student comprehension by emphasizing computational skills, real-world data analysis and modeling, and problem solving rather than mathematical theory. Many examples feature side-by-side algebraic and graphical solutions, and each is followed by a matched problem for the student to work. This active involvement in the learning process helps students develop a more thorough understanding of concepts and processes. A hallmark of the Barnett series, the function concept serves as a unifying theme. A major objective of this book is to develop a library of elementary functions, including their important properties and uses. Employing this library as a basic working tool, students will be able to proceed through this course with greater confidence and understanding as they first learn to recognize the graph of a function and then learn to analyze the graph and use it to solve the problem. Applications included throughout the text give the student substantial experience in solving and modeling real world problems in an effort to convince even the most skeptical student that mathematics is really useful.