Intermediate Algebra

Today’s Developmental Math students enter college needing more than just the math, and this has directly impacted the instructor’s role in the classroom. Instructors have to teach to different learning styles, within multiple teaching environments, and to a student population that is mostly unfamiliar with how to be a successful college student. Authors Andrea Hendricks and Pauline Chow have noticed this growing trend in their combined 30+ years of teaching at their respective community colleges, both in their face-to-face and online courses. As a result, they set out to create course materials that help today’s students not only learn the mathematical concepts but also build life skills for future success. Understanding the time constraints for instructors, these authors have worked to integrate success strategies into both the print and digital materials, so that there is no sacrifice of time spent on the math. Furthermore, Andrea and Pauline have taken the time to write purposeful examples and exercises that are student-centered, relevant to today’s students, and guide students to practice critical thinking skills. Intermediate Algebra and its supplemental materials, coupled with ALEKS or Connect Math Hosted by ALEKS, allow for both full-time and part-time instructors to teach more than just the math in any teaching environment without an overwhelming amount of preparation time or even classroom time.

Chapter S: Success Strategies

S.1: Time Management and Goal Setting

S.2: Learning Styles

S.3: Study Skills

S.4: Test Taking

S.5: Blended and Online Classes

Chapter 1: Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions

1.1: Sets and the Real Numbers

1.2: Operations with Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions

1.3: Properties of Real Numbers and Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Chapter 2: Linear Equations and Inequalities in One Variable

2.1: Solving Linear Equations

2.2: Introduction to Applications

2.3: Formulas and Applications

2.4: Linear Inequalities and Applications

2.5: Compound Inequalities

2.6: Absolute Value Equations

2.7: Absolute Value Inequalities

Chapter 3: Graphs, Relations, and Functions

3.1: The Coordinate System, Graphing Equations, and the Midpoint Formula

3.2: Relations

3.3: Functions

3.4: The Domain and Range of Functions

Chapter 4: Linear Functions and Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

4.1: Linear Functions and Equations in Two Variables

4.2: Graphing Linear Equations and Linear Functions

4.3: The Slope of a Line

4.4: Writing Equations of Lines

4.5: Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

Chapter 5: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities

5.1: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables Graphically

5.2: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables Algebraically

5.3: Applications of Linear Systems in Two Variables

5.4: Solving Linear Systems in Three Variables and Their Applications

5.5: Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities and Their Applications

Chapter 6: Exponents, Polynomials and Polynomials Functions

6.1: Rules of Exponents and Zero and Negative Exponents

6.2: More Rules of Exponents and Scientific Notation

6.3: Polynomials, Polynomial Functions and Their Basic Graphs

6.4: Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

6.5: Factoring using the Greatest Common Factor and Grouping

6.6: Factoring Trinomials

6.7: Factoring Binomials and Factoring Review

6.8: Solving Polynomial Equations by Factoring and Applications

Chapter 7: Rational Expressions, Functions and Equations

7.1: Rational Functions; Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

7.2: More Division of Polynomials: Long Division and Synthetic Division

7.3: Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

7.4: Simplifying Complex Fractions

7.5: Solving Rational Equations

7.6: Applications of Rational Equations

7.7: Variation and Applications

Chapter 8: Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers

8.1: Radicals and Radical Functions

8.2: Rational Exponents

8.3: Simplifying Radical Expressions

8.4: Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Radical Expressions

8.5: Dividing Radicals and Rationalizing

8.6: Radical Equations and their Applications

8.7: Complex Numbers

Chapter 9: Quadratic Equations and Functions and Nonlinear Inequalities

9.1: Quadratic Functions and their Graphs

9.2: Solving Quadratic Equations by the Square Root Property and Completing the Square

9.3: Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula

9.4: Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods

9.5: More on Graphing Quadratic Functions

9.6: Solving Polynomial and Rational Inequalities in One Variable

Chapter 10: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

10.1: Operations and Composition of Functions

10.2: Inverse Functions

10.3: Exponential Functions

10.4: Logarithmic Functions

10.5: Properties of Logarithms

10.6: The Common Log, Natural Log, and Change of Base Formula

10.7: Exponential and Logarithmic Equations and Applications

Chapter 11: Conic Sections and Nonlinear Systems

11.1: The Parabola and the Circle

11.2: The Ellipse and the Hyperbola

11.3: Solving Nonlinear Systems of Equations

11.4: Solving Nonlinear Inequalities and Systems of Inequalities

Chapter 12: Sequences, Series, and the Binomial Theorem

12.1: Sequences

12.2: Arithmetic Sequences and Series

12.3: Geometric Sequences and Series

12.4: The Binomial Theorem