College Algebra

Bob Blitzer is a native of Manhattan and received a Bachelor of Arts degree with dual majors in mathematics and psychology (minor: English literature) from the City College of New York. His unusual combination of academic interests led him toward a Master of Arts in mathematics from the University of Miami and a doctorate in behavioral sciences from Nova University. Bob’s love for teaching mathematics was nourished for nearly 30 years at Miami Dade College, where he received numerous teaching awards, including Innovator of the Year from the League for Innovations in the Community College and an endowed chair based on excellence in the classroom. In addition to College Algebra, Bob has written textbooks covering developmental mathematics, introductory algebra, intermediate algebra, trigonometry, algebra and trigonometry, precalculus, and liberal arts mathematics, all published by Pearson. When not secluded in his Northern California writer’s cabin, Bob can be found hiking the beaches and trails of Point Reyes National Seashore and tending to the chores required by his beloved entourage of horses, chickens, and irritable roosters.

• P. Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of AlgebraP.1 Algebraic Expressions, Mathematical Models, and Real NumbersP.2 Basic Rules of AlgebraP.3 Exponents and Scientific NotationP.4 Radicals and Rational ExponentsP.5 PolynomialsP.6 Factoring PolynomialsP.7 Rational Expressions1. Functions and Graphs1.1 Graphs and Graphing Utilities1.2 Basics of Functions and Their Graphs1.3 More on Functions and Their Graphs1.4 Linear Functions and Slope1.5 More on Slope1.6 Transformations of Functions1.7 Combinations of Functions; Composite Functions1.8 Inverse Functions1.9 Distance and Midpoint Formulas; Circles2. Equations and Inequalities2.1 Linear Equations and Rational Equations2.2 Models and Applications2.3 Complex Numbers2.4 Quadratic Equations2.5 Other Types of Equations2.6 Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Inequalities3. Polynomial and Rational Functions3.1 Quadratic Functions3.2 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs3.3 Dividing Polynomials; Remainder and Factor Theorems3.4 Zeros of Polynomial Functions3.5 Rational Functions and Their Graphs3.6 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities3.7 Modeling Using Variation4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions4.1 Exponential Functions4.2 Logarithmic Functions4.3 Properties of Logarithms4.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations4.5 Exponential Growth and Decay; Modeling Data5. Systems of Equations and Inequalities5.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables5.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables5.3 Partial Fractions5.4 Systems of Nonlinear Equations in Two Variables5.5 Systems of Inequalities5.6 Linear Programming6. Matrices and Determinants6.1 Matrix Solutions to Linear Systems6.2 Inconsistent and Dependent Systems and Their Applications6.3 Matrix Operations and Their Applications6.4 Multiplicative Inverses of Matrices and Matrix Equations6.5 Determinants and Cramer's Rule7. Conic Sections7.1 The Ellipse7.2 The Hyperbola7.3 The Parabola8. Sequences, Induction, and Probability8.1 Sequences and Summation Notation8.2 Arithmetic Sequences8.3 Geometric Sequences and Series8.4 Mathematical Induction8.5 The Binomial Theorem8.6 Counting Principles, Permutations, and Combinations8.7 Probability