Precalculus: Functions and Graphs (with CD-ROM, Make the Grade, and InfoTrac)

by Earl W. Swokowski, Jeffery A. Cole

The Ninth Edition of Swokowski Cole's highly respected precalculus text retains the elements that have made it so popular with instructors and students alike; the time-tested exercise sets feature a variety of applications; its exposition is clear; its uncluttered layout is appealing; and the difficulty level of problems is appropriate and consistent. With these elements the authors succeed in preparing students for calculus. PRECALCULUS: FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS, 9/e is mathematically sound and has excellent problem sets. In this edition, all of the chapters now include numerous technology inserts and examples with specific keystrokes for the TI-83 Plus and the TI-86, ideal for students who are working with a graphing calculator for the first time. The new design of the text makes the technology inserts easily identifiable, allowing professors to skip them if desired.

Genres: Mathematics, Textbooks, Nonfiction

650 pages, Hardcover

First published December 3, 2004

Reviews

[Lou Rocama · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had some trouble with this book, compounded by my tendency to space off in class. Even when I succeeded in keeping my admittedly sub-par attention on the professor, the material was not particularly clear. On further examination, and with more experience dealing with math texts, the biggest problem seems to stem from it trying to be both a proof-based and example-based text at the same time, while doing neither well. Therefore, as a teaching aid it is difficult to use.

This said, the solutions manual is one of the best I've used. The shock when I started Calc I, which used a text with an average sm, was fairly comical. Only in hindsight, though.

If you buy the solutions manual, the text works adequately. I'll confess the sm taught me the material better than the text, which I used mainly as a rather large packet of homework problems. Without the manual, I doubt I'd have done well in the class. Keep in mind this is from a person who is naturally good at math and managed every text before and since this one easily. When I needed to review a theorem for Diff EQ later on the book was just as difficult, despite my greater familiarity with the subject, so even as a reference it fails.