preface<br >The third edition of College Algebra is being published at the beginning of a new<br >era in the teaching of mathematics in our colleges and universities. Educators agree<br >that this decade will see major changes in the way mathematics is taught critical<br >thinking will be nurtured， rote learning will be de-emphasized， and mathematical<br >comprehension will be fostered by increased classroom use of electronic computers<br >and calculators. In revising our textbook， we have tried to provide a measured<br >response to these trends while continuing to offer students a straightforward， read-<br >able book.<br >Prerequisites<br >In writing and revising this textbook， we had in mind a typical reader with the equiv-<br >alent of two years of college-preparatory mathematics in algebra and plane geome-<br >try， or one who has takena college-level course in introductory algebra. Determined<br >students with less preparation should be able to use the textbook successfully， par-<br >ticularly if they supplement it with the accompanying Student Guide with Solutions.<br >Presentation<br >Topics are presented in brief sections that develop logically from basic to more<br >advanced skills and concepts. Motivation for new ideas is provided by showing their<br >application in real-world situations. Numerous illustrative examples are worked out<br >in detail. When appropriate， specific problem-solving procedures are given.<br >Problems<br >Problems at the end of each section begin with simple drill-type exercises to build<br >student confidence. A gradual progression to more advanced problems invites<br >students to work to the best of their abilities.<br >Odd-numbered problems Many of the odd-numbered problems， particularly those<br >at the beginning of each problem set， are similar in scope to the worked-out exam-<br >ples in the text. Answers to most of these problems， with appropriate graphs， are<br >given in the back of the book. In general， odd-numbered problems can be assigned<br >Jor homework with an expectation of success by most students.<br >ix<br >