Precalculus: Functions and Graphs (with CengageNOW Printed Access Card)

by Earl W. Swokowski, Jeffery A. Cole

This latest edition in the highly respected Swokowski/Cole precalculus series retains the elements that have made it so popular with instructors and students alike: its exposition is clear, the time-tested exercise sets feature a variety of applications, its uncluttered layout is appealing, and the difficulty level of problems is appropriate and consistent. Mathematically sound, PRECALCULUS: FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS, Tenth Edition, effectively prepares students for further courses in mathematics through its excellent, time-tested problem sets. This edition has been improved in many respects including the addition of technology inserts with specific keystrokes for the TI-83 Plus and the TI-86, ideal for students who are working with a calculator for the first time. The design of the text makes the technology inserts easily identifiable, so if a professor prefers to skip these sections it is simple to do so.

Genres: Mathematics, Textbooks, Nonfiction

992 pages, Hardcover

First published December 3, 2004

Reviews

[Lou Rocama · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had some trouble with this book, compounded by my tendency to space off in class. Even when I succeeded in keeping my admittedly sub-par attention on the professor, the material was not particularly clear. On further examination, and with more experience dealing with math texts, the biggest problem seems to stem from it trying to be both a proof-based and example-based text at the same time, while doing neither well. Therefore, as a teaching aid it is difficult to use.

This said, the solutions manual is one of the best I've used. The shock when I started Calc I, which used a text with an average sm, was fairly comical. Only in hindsight, though.

If you buy the solutions manual, the text works adequately. I'll confess the sm taught me the material better than the text, which I used mainly as a rather large packet of homework problems. Without the manual, I doubt I'd have done well in the class. Keep in mind this is from a person who is naturally good at math and managed every text before and since this one easily. When I needed to review a theorem for Diff EQ later on the book was just as difficult, despite my greater familiarity with the subject, so even as a reference it fails.