Precalculus: An Investigation of Functions

by David Lippman, Melonie Rasmussen (Contributor)

An Investigation of Functions is a free, open textbook covering a two-quarter pre-calculus sequence including trigonometry. The first portion of the book is an investigation of functions, exploring the graphical behavior of, interpretation of, and solutions to problems involving linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. An emphasis is placed on modeling and interpretation, as well as the important characteristics needed in calculus. The second portion of the book introduces trigonometry. Trig is introduced through an integrated circle/triangle approach. Identities are introduced in the first chapter, and revisited throughout. Likewise, solving is introduced in the second chapter and revisted more extensively in the third chapter. As with the first part of the book, an emphasis is placed on motivating the concepts and on modeling and interpretation.

Genres: Mathematics

568 pages, Paperback

First published August 8, 2011

Reviews

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a challenging book at times but I learned a lot. Some of the word problems could use some better wording.