Mandatory Package Precalculus: Functions and Graphs with Smart CD (Windows)

By Karl E. Byleen, Michael R. Ziegler, Raymond A. Barnett

Aims to emphasize computational skills, ideas, and problem solving rather than mathematical theory. This title introduces a unit circle approach to trigonometry and can be used in one or two semester... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0072412208
• ISBN13: 9780072412208
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math
• Length: 1024 Pages
• Weight: 4.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 1.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

If I had to teach a two-course sequence in precalculus, this is the book that I would use

Until recently, Mount Mercy College, where I teach math and computers, had a two-course precalculus sequence in the mathematics curriculum. If that were still the case, this is the book I would select as the text. I found it so readable, not in the sense of understanding, but in the sense of being easy on the eyes. Using blue and red to highlight headers and other key topic pointers, I found it very easy to follow. In terms of coverage, it is standard; there is nothing here that differentiates it from any other text written for the two-semester sequence. There are many exercises at the ends of the sections and chapters and solutions to all of them appear in an appendix. One characteristic that I found very positive was that there is very little in the way of technology. What does appear is limited to the use of graphing calculators. In general, I find books that demonstrate how to do mathematical operations using a graphing calculator, a symbolic math package and Excel to be morbidly obese. To me, doing everything three ways is an absurd waste of time. I applaud the authors for their choice, after all even without the heavy presence of technology; the book is still over 1000 pages.