A Graphical Approach to College Algebra

by John Hornsby, Margaret L. Lial, Gary K. Rockswold

A Graphical Approach to College Algebra illustrates how the graph of a function can be used to support the solutions of equations and inequalities involving the function. Beginning with linear functions in Chapter 1, the text uses a four-part process to analyze each type of function, starting first with the graph of the function, then the equation, the associated inequality of that equation, and ending with applications. The text covers all of the topics typically caught in a college algebra course, but with an organization that fosters students’ understanding of the interrelationships among graphs, equations, and inequalities. With the Fifth Edition, the text continues to evolve as it addresses the changing needs of today’s students. Included are additional components to build skills, address critical thinking, solve applications, and apply technology to support traditional algebraic solutions, while maintaining its unique table of contents and functions-based approach. A Graphical Approach to College Algebra continues to incorporate an open design, with helpful features and a careful explanations of topics.

Genres: Mathematics

768 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

When John Hornsby enrolled as an undergraduate at Louisiana State University, he was uncertain whether he wanted to study mathematics education or journalism. His ultimate decision was to become a teacher, and now after more than twenty-five years of teaching at the high school and university levels and fifteen years of writing mathematics textbooks, both of his goals have been realized. His love for both teaching andmathematics is evident in his passion for working with students and fellow teachers as well. His specific professional interests are recreational mathematics, mathematics history, and incorporating graphing calculators into the curriculum. John's personal life is busy, as he devotes time to his family (wife Gwen, and sons Chris, Jack, and Josh). He has been a rabid baseball fan all of his life. John's other hobbies include numismatics (the study of coins) and record collecting. He loves the music of the 1960s and has an extensive collection of the recorded works of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Reviews

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now that my OCC campus has retired this text, I can reflect back on teaching through it over a few years. I basically found this passable with notable awkward parts. For instance, Square Root Property is not admitted until half way through the text when it should be at beginning. Also, breaking up core material on systems of equations between chapters and appendices is schizophrenic.

Things I like include a focus on basic functions and transformations, basically the "graphical approach" in the title. This makes it convenient to highlight key connections between functions, their graphs, and set basis.