This book, intended for a graphing calculator optional precalculus course, offers students the content and tools they will need to successfully master precalculus concepts. The authors have addressed the needs of students who will continue their study of mathematics, as well as those who are taking precalculus as their final mathematics course. Emphasis is placed on exploring mathematical concepts by using real data, current applications and optional technology.
Marge Lial (late) was always interested in math; it was her favorite subject in the first grade! Her desire to educate both her students and herself inspired the writing of numerous best-selling textbooks. Marge, who received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from California State University at Sacramento, was most recently affiliated with American River College. An avid reader and traveler, Marge’s travel experiences often find their way into her books as applications, exercise sets, and feature sets. She was particularly interested in archeology. Trips to various digs and ruin sites produced some fascinating problems for her textbooks, involving such topics as the building of Mayan pyramids and the acoustics of ancient ball courts in the Yucatan.