[...]... Clayton State University; Candace Blazek, Anoka-Ramsey Community College; Catherine May Bonan-Hamada, Mesa State College; José D Flores, University of South Dakota; Christy Leigh Jackson, University of Arkansas, Little Rock; George Johnson, St Phillips College; Gene Majors, Fullerton College; Theresa McChesney, Johnson County Community College; O Michael Melko, Northern State University; Terry Nyman,... the Fourth Edition Mohamed Elhamdadi, University of South Florida; Carl L Hensley, Indian River Community College; Scott Lewis, Utah Valley State College; Beth-Allyn Osikiewicz, Kent State University—Tuscarawas Campus; Stanley Stascinsky, Tarrant County College; Fereja Tahir, Illinois Central College; and Mary Ann Teel, University of North Texas Reviewers of the Fifth Edition Faiz Al-Rubaee, University... Fractals 621 Mathematical Economics 628 Fair Voting Methods 674 FIFTH EDITION College Algebra This page intentionally left blank CHAPTER P Prerequisites P.1 Modeling the Real World with Algebra P.2 Real Numbers and Their Properties P.3 The Real Number Line and Order P.4 Integer Exponents P.5 Rational Exponents and Radicals P.6 Algebraic Expressions P.7 Factoring © Daimler AG P.8 Rational Expressions Smart... to know the basic properties of numbers Algebra is about these properties The fundamental idea in algebra is to use letters to stand for numbers; this helps us to find patterns in numbers and to answer questions like the ones we asked here In this chapter we review some of the basic concepts of algebra 1 CHAPTER P | Prerequisites P.1 Modeling the Real World with Algebra LEARNING OBJECTIVES After completing... to: ■ Use an algebra model ■ Make an algebra model In algebra we use letters to stand for numbers This allows us to describe patterns that we see in the real world For example, if we let N stand for the number of hours you work and W stand for your hourly wage, then the formula P ϭ NW gives your pay P The formula P ϭ NW is a description or model for pay We can also call this formula an algebra model... Jackson Community College; Christine Panoff, University of Michigan at Flint; Arnold Volbach, University of Houston, University Park; Keith Oberlander, Pasadena City College; Tom Walsh, City College of San Francisco; and George Wang, Whittier College Reviewers of the Third Edition Christine Oxley, Indiana University; Linda B Hutchison, Belmont University; David Rollins, University of Central Florida; and... 657 PREFACE The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery MARK VAN DOREN For many students a College Algebra course represents the first opportunity to discover the beauty and practical power of mathematics Thus instructors are faced with the challenge of teaching the concepts and skills of algebra while at the same time imparting a sense of its utility in the real world In this edition, as... numerically, algebraically, and verbally.” Technology facilitates the learning of geometrical and numerical concepts, extended projects and group learning help students explore their understanding of algebraic concepts, writing exercises emphasize the verbal or descriptive point of view, and modeling can clarify a concept by connecting it to real life Underlying all these approaches is an emphasis on algebra. .. main Properties and Formulas and a Concept Summary These two features provide a concise synopsis of the material in the chapter Cumulative Review Tests follow Chapters 2, 5, 8, and 10 Ancillaries College Algebra, Fifth Edition, is supported by a complete set of ancillaries developed under our direction Each piece has been designed to enhance student understanding and to facilitate creative instruction... Johnson County Community College; O Michael Melko, Northern State University; Terry Nyman, University of Wisconsin—Fox Valley; Randy Scott, Santiago Canyon College; George Rust, West Virginia State University; Alicia Serfaty de Markus, Miami Dade College Kendell Campus; Vassil Yorgov, Fayetteville State University; Naveed Zaman, West Virginia State University; Xiaohong Zhang, West Virginia State University . Community College; Scott Lewis, Utah Valley State College; Beth-Allyn Osikiewicz, Kent State University—Tuscarawas Campus; Stanley Stascinsky, Tarrant County College; Fereja Tahir, Illinois Central College; . Community College; Christine Panoff, University of Michigan at Flint; Arnold Volbach, University of Houston, University Park; Keith Oberlander, Pasadena City College; Tom Walsh, City College of San. Underlying all these approaches is an emphasis on algebra as a problem-solving endeavor. In this book we have used all these methods of presenting college algebra as enhancements to a central core of