The most practical, complete, and accessible guide for understanding algebra If you want to make sense of algebra, check out Practical Algebra: A Self-Teaching Guide. Written by two experienced classroom teachers, this Third Edition is completely revised to align with the Common Core Algebra I math standards used in many states. You’ll get an overview of solving linear and quadratic equations, using ratios and proportions, decoding word problems, graphing and interpreting functions, modeling the real world with statistics, and other concepts found in today’s algebra courses. This book also contains a brief review of pre-algebra topics, including arithmetic and fractions. It has concrete strategies that help diverse students to succeed, such as: over 500 images and tables that illustrate important concepts over 200 model examples with complete solutions almost 1,500 exercises with answers so you can monitor your progress Practical Algebra emphasizes making connections to what you already know and what you’ll learn in the future. You’ll learn to see algebra as a logical and consistent system of ideas and see how it connects to other mathematical topics. This book makes math more accessible by treating it as a language. It has tips for pronouncing and using mathematical notation, a glossary of commonly used terms in algebra, and a glossary of symbols. Along the way, you’ll discover how different cultures around the world over thousands of years developed many of the mathematical ideas we use today. Since students nowadays can use a variety of tools to handle complex modeling tasks, this book contains technology tips that apply no matter what device you’re using. It also describes strategies for avoiding common mistakes that students make. By working through Practical Algebra, you’ll learn straightforward techniques for solving problems, and understand why these techniques work so you’ll retain what you’ve learned. You (or your students) will come away with better scores on algebra tests and a greater confidence in your ability to do math.

Linear algebra is growing in importance. 3D entertainment, animations in movies and video games are developed using linear algebra. Animated characters are generated using equations straight out of this book. Linear algebra is used to extract knowledge from the massive amounts of data generated from modern technology. The Fourth Edition of this popular text introduces linear algebra in a comprehensive, geometric, and algorithmic way. The authors start with the fundamentals in 2D and 3D, then move on to higher dimensions, expanding on the fundamentals and introducing new topics, which are necessary for many real-life applications and the development of abstract thought. Applications are introduced to motivate topics. The subtitle, A Geometry Toolbox, hints at the book’s geometric approach, which is supported by many sketches and figures. Furthermore, the book covers applications of triangles, polygons, conics, and curves. Examples demonstrate each topic in action. This practical approach to a linear algebra course, whether through classroom instruction or self-study, is unique to this book. New to the Fourth Edition: Ten new application sections. A new section on change of basis. This concept now appears in several places. Chapters 14-16 on higher dimensions are notably revised. A deeper look at polynomials in the gallery of spaces. Introduces the QR decomposition and its relevance to least squares. Similarity and diagonalization are given more attention, as are eigenfunctions. A longer thread on least squares, running from orthogonal projections to a solution via SVD and the pseudoinverse. More applications for PCA have been added. More examples, exercises, and more on the kernel and general linear spaces. A list of applications has been added in Appendix A. The book gives instructors the option of tailoring the course for the primary interests of their students: mathematics, engineering, science, computer graphics, and geometric modeling.

In 19th century America, Joseph Ray was the McGuffey of arithmetic. His textbooks, used throughout the United States, laid the mathematical foundations for the generations of inventors, engineers and businessmen who would make the nation a world power.

Practical Algebra If you studied algebra years ago and now need arefresher course in order to use algebraic principles on the job,or if you're a student who needs an introduction to the subject,here's the perfect book for you. Practical Algebra is an easy andfun-to-use workout program that quickly puts you in command of allthe basic concepts and tools of algebra. With the aid of practical,real-life examples and applications, you'll learn: * The basic approach and application of algebra to problemsolving * The number system (in a much broader way than you have known itfrom arithmetic) * Monomials and polynomials; factoring algebraic expressions; howto handle algebraic fractions; exponents, roots, and radicals;linear and fractional equations * Functions and graphs; quadratic equations; inequalities; ratio,proportion, and variation; how to solve word problems, andmore Authors Peter Selby and Steve Slavin emphasize practical algebrathroughout by providing you with techniques for solving problems ina wide range of disciplines--from engineering, biology, chemistry,and the physical sciences, to psychology and even sociology andbusiness administration. Step by step, Practical Algebra shows youhow to solve algebraic problems in each of these areas, then allowsyou to tackle similar problems on your own, at your own pace.Self-tests are provided at the end of each chapter so you canmeasure your mastery.