Elementary Algebra

About our author Jay Lehmann has taught for the past 25 years at College of San Mateo, where he received the “shiny apple award” for excellence in teaching. He has presented at over 80 conferences including AMATYC and ICTCM over the past 16 years. Jay is currently the newsletter editor for California Mathematics Council, Community Colleges (CMC3). Still young at heart, he plays in a rock band appropriately named the Procrastinistas. Jay has authored several algebra textbooks published by Pearson and has also recently completed a Prestatistics textbook.In the words of the author:“Before writing my algebra series, it was painfully apparent that my students couldn't relate to the applications in the course. I was plagued with the question, "What is this good for?" To try to bridge that gap, I wrote some labs, which facilitated my students in collecting data, finding models via curve fitting, and using the models to make estimates and predictions. My students really loved working with the current, compelling, and authentic data and experiencing how mathematics truly is useful.“My students' response was so strong that I decided to write an algebra series. Little did I know that to realize this goal, I would need to embark on a 15-year challenging journey, but the rewards of hearing such excitement from students and faculty across the country have made it all worthwhile! I'm proud to have played even a small role in raising people’s respect and enthusiasm for mathematics.“I have tried to honor my inspiration: by working with authentic data, students can experience the power of mathematics. A random-sample study at my college suggests that I am achieving this goal. The study concludes that students who used my series were more likely to feel that mathematics would be useful in their lives (P-value 0.0061) as well as their careers (P-value 0.024).“The series is excellent preparation for subsequent courses; in particular, because of the curve fitting and emphasis on interpreting the contextual meaning of parameters, it is an ideal primer for statistics. In addition to curve fitting, my approach includes other types of meaningful modeling, directed-discovery explorations, conceptual questions, and of course, a large bank of skill problems. The curve-fitting applications serve as a portal for students to see the usefulness of mathematics so that they become fully engaged in the class. Once involved, they are more receptive to all aspects of the course.”

• Introduction to Modeling 1.1 Variables and Constants1.2 Scatterplots1.3 Exact Linear Relationships1.4 Approximate Linear Relationships Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab • Volume Lab • Linear Graphing Lab: Topic of Your ChoiceOperations and Expressions 2.1 Expressions2.2 Operations with Fractions2.3 Absolute Value and Adding Real Numbers2.4 Change in a Quantity and Subtracting Real Numbers2.5 Ratios, Percents, and Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers2.6 Exponents and Order of Operations Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 1) • Stocks LabUsing Slope To Graph Linear Equations 3.1 Graphing Equations of the Forms y = mx + b and x = a3.2 Graphing Linear Models; Unit Analysis3.3 Slope of a Line3.4 Using Slope to Graph Linear Equations3.5 Rate of Change Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change LabSimplifying Expressions and Solving Equations 4.1 Simplifying Expressions4.2 Simplifying More Expressions4.3 Solving Linear Equations in One Variable4.4 Solving More Linear Equations in One Variable4.5 Comparing Expressions and Equations4.6 FormulasLinear Equations in Two Variables and Linear Inequalities in One Variable 5.1 Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables5.2 Finding Equations of Lines5.3 Finding Equations of Linear Models5.4 Using Equations of Linear Models to Make Estimates and Predictions5.5 Solving Linear Inequalities in One Variable Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 3) • Rope Lab • Shadow Lab • Linear Lab: Topic of Your ChoiceSystems of Linear Equations and Systems of Linear Inequalities 6.1 Using Graphs and Tables to Solve Systems6.2 Using Substitution to Solve Systems6.3 Using Elimination to Solve Systems6.4 Using Systems to Model Data6.5 Perimeter, Value, Interest, and Mixture Problems6.6 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables; Systems of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 5)Polynomials and Properties of Exponents 7.1 Graphing Quadratic Equations7.2 Quadratic Models7.3 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials7.4 Multiplying Polynomials7.5 Powers of Polynomials; Product of Binomial Conjugates7.6 Properties of Exponents7.7 Negative-Integer Exponents7.8 Dividing Polynomials Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 6) • Projectile LabFactoring Polynomials and Solving Polynomial Equations 8.1 Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2 + bx + c and Differences of Two Squares8.2 Factoring Out the GCF; Factoring by Grouping8.3 Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2 + bx + c8.4 Sums and Differences of Cubes; A Factoring Strategy8.5 Using Factoring to Solve Polynomial Equations8.6 Using Factoring to Make Predictions with Quadratic ModelsSolving Quadratic Equations 9.1 Simplifying Radical Expressions9.2 Simplifying More Radical Expressions9.3 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Square Root Property; The Pythagorean Theorem9.4 Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square9.5 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula9.6 More Quadratic Models Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 7) • Projectile Lab (continued from Chapter 7)Rational Expressions and Equations 10.1 Simplifying Rational Expressions10.2 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions; Converting Units10.3 Adding Rational Expressions10.4 Subtracting Rational Expressions10.5 Solving Rational Equations10.6 Proportions; Similar Triangles10.7 Variation10.8 Simplifying Complex Rational Expressions Taking It to the Lab: Climate Change Lab (continued from Chapter 9) • Estimating π LabMore Radical Expressions and Equations 11.1 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions11.2 Multiplying Radical Expressions11.3 Solving Square Root EquationsAPPENDICES A. Using A TI-83 or TI-84 Graphing CalculatorB. Using StatCrunch