Ray Steege - Schaums Outline of Intermediate Algebra

RAY STEEGE received his B.A. in mathematics from the University of Wyoming and his M.A. in mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado. The first 10 years of his teaching career were at East High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He continued his professional career at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for an additional 25 years prior to his retirement in 1994. KERRY BAILEY received his B.A. in mathematics from San Diego State University and his M.A. in mathematics from the University of Colorado. in mathematics from the University of Colorado.

He has been teaching at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the past 25 years. Prior to this position, he taught for 10 years at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Among his achievements and honors are: Wyoming Mathematics Coalition Steering Committee member, newsletter editor, and recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Member of the Physical Science Division award, and corecipient of the Outstanding Faculty Member award for the entire college at Laramie County Community College. Copyright 2010, 1997 by The McGraw-Hill, Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-0-07-162999-7
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The primary purpose of the book is to provide an effective tool for students that will help them understand and master the basic concepts and techniques of Intermediate Algebra.

The book can be useful to the reader in several ways. It may be used as a valuable supplementary text for the second algebra course to assist in clarifying and simplifying algebraic concepts and procedures. The book may also be used for self-study or as the text for a course in Intermediate Algebra. Additionally, it is an excellent book to review in order to clarify concepts and improve skills prior to enrollment in College Algebra. We have attempted to provide a treatment of Intermediate Algebra that is more easily understood, and therefore more useful than most available texts at this level. The book possesses numerous benefits or strengths.

Concepts are introduced and explained at the students level in a thorough, brief manner. The processes employed make the algebra involved as simple and concrete as possible. Each concept is illustrated completely by one or more solved problems which clarify and illuminate the relevant ideas. Definitions, properties, and so on, are expressed in clear, concise, understandable words as well as in mathematical form. Calculator procedures using RPN and Algebraic Entry calculators are illustrated and employed where it is appropriate. The graphing calculator is used to great advantage in many instances.

A large number of graphs are included to help the student visualize abstract concepts. Step-by-step procedures accompanied by clarifying statements are employed in many instances. Word problems are often very difficult for students. We have provided the most detailed step-by-step treatment of word problems available. Students are led through the process in phases, thereby resulting in manageable steps. The book includes recommendations to the student for correct, efficient use of mathematics.

A concise summary of effective study skills and suggestions on proven techniques is included. There are 886 solved problems with explanations and step-by-step solutions included. Solved problems are referenced to similar supplementary problems. There are 1,100 supplementary problems with answers included for student practice. Problems are arranged in an easy to more difficult order. The book covers the concepts typically found in the second algebra course including: fundamental concepts; polynomials; rational expressions; first- and second-degree equations and inequalities; exponents, roots, and radicals; systems of equations and inequalities; relations and functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; sequences, series, and the binomial theorem.

The terms and notation employed are those commonly used by other authors. We thank Mr. Stephen Koch for planting the seed that grew into the final product. Our sincere appreciation goes to those people at McGraw-Hill who played a part in the development of the work. Finally, and most importantly, for their encouragement, tolerance, and never-ending support, we thank our families: Rays wife Marge; and Kerrys wife Jan and children Matt, Sara, and Abby. RAY STEEGE
KERRY BAILEY

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