Explorations in College Algebra

This work and its accompanying ancillaries are designed to make algebra interesting and relevant to the student. The text adopts a problem-solving approach, where abstract ideas are motivated by real world problems. The problems lie on a continuum from practicing algebraic skills to open ended, non-routine questions. The focus is shifted from learning a set of discrete mathematical rules to exploring how algebra is used in the social, physical, and life sciences. The aim of this work is to adequately prepare students for future advanced mathematics or other quantitative-based courses. Equally important, students will hopefully come to appreciate and use the power of algebra in answering questions about the world around us.