1. Algebra, Mathematical Models, and Problem Solving

1.1 Algebraic Expressions, Real Numbers, and Interval Notation

1.2 Operations with Real Numbers and Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

1.3 Graphing Equations

1.4 Solving Linear Equations

Mid-Chapter Check Point Section 1.1–Section 1.4

1.5 Problem Solving and Using Formulas

1.6 Properties of Integral Exponents

1.7 Scientific Notation

Chapter 1 Group Project

Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter 1 Review Exercises

Chapter 1 Test

2. Functions and Linear Functions

2.1 Introduction to Functions

2.2 Graphs of Functions

2.3 The Algebra of Functions

Mid-Chapter Check Point Section 2.1–Section 2.3

2.4 Linear Functions and Slope

2.5 The Point-Slope Form of the Equation of a Line

Chapter 2 Group Project

Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 Review Exercises

Chapter 2 Test

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1–2)

3. Systems of Linear Equations

3.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

3.2 Problem Solving and Business Applications Using Systems of Equations

3.3 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables

Mid-Chapter Check Point Section 3.1–Section 3.3

3.4 Matrix Solutions to Linear Systems

3.5 Determinants and Cramer's Rule

Chapter 3 Group Project

Chapter 3 Summary

Chapter 3 Review Exercises

Chapter 3 Test

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1–3)

4. Inequalities and Problem Solving

4.1 Solving Linear Inequalities

4.2 Compound Inequalities

4.3 Equations and Inequalities Involving Absolute Value

Mid-Chapter Check Point Section 4.1–Section 4.3

4.4 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

4.5 Linear Programming

Chapter 4 Group Project

Chapter 4 Summary

Chapter 4 Review Exercises

Chapter 4 Test

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1–4)

5. Polynomials, Polynomial Functions, and Factoring

5.1 Introduction to Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

5.2 Multiplication of Polynomials

5.3 Greatest Common Factors and Factoring By Grouping

5.4 Factoring Trinomials

Mid-Chapter Check Point Section 5.1–Section 5.4

5.5 Factoring Special Forms

5.6 A General Factoring Strategy

5.7 Polynomial Equations and Their Applications

Chapter 5 Group Project

Chapter 5 Summary

Chapter 5 Review Exercises

Chapter 5 Test

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1–5)

6. Rational Expressions, Functions, and Equations

6.1 Rational Expressions and Functions: Multiplying and Dividing

6.2 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

6.3 Complex Rational Expressions

6.4 Division of Polynomials

Mid-Chapter Check Point Section 6.1–Section 6.4

6.5 Synthetic Division and the Remainder Theorem

6.6 Rational Equations

6.7 Formulas and Applications of Rational Equations

6.8 Modeling Using Variation

Chapter 6 Group Project

Chapter 6 Summary

Chapter 6 Review Exercises

Chapter 6 Test

Cumulative Review Exercises (Chapters 1–6)

7. Radicals, Radical Functions, and Rational Exponents

7.1 Radical Expressions and Functions

7.2 Rational Exponents

7.3 Multiplying and Simplifying Radical Expressions

7.4 Adding, Subtracting, and Dividing Radical Expressions

Mid-Chapter Check Point Section 7.1–Section 7.4

7.5 Multiplying with More Than One Term and Rationalizing Denominators

7.6 Radical Equations

7.7 Complex Numbers

Chapter 7 Group Project

Chapter 7 Summary

Chapter 7 Review Exercises

Chapter 7 Test

C

• Engaging applications and real-world data put learning into context. Bob Blitzer is on a constant search for data that can be used to illustrate algebra applications. He has used this research to update the chapter- and section-opening applications, examples, and exercises in the text.
• Additional study skills support is available to students through two new in-text features and the new Learning Guide:
  • NEW! Great Question! takes the content from each Study Tip from the previous edition and presents it in the context of a student question. Answers to the questions offer suggestions for problem solving, point out common errors to avoid, and provide informal hints and suggestions.
  • NEW! Achieving Success boxes offer strategies for success in math courses, along with suggestions to help developmental students achieve their full academic potential.
  • NEW! TheLearning Guide helps students learn how to make the most of their textbook and its companion learning tools, including MyMathLab. Organized by the textbook’s learning objectives, this workbook provides additional practice for each section and guidance for test preparation. Published in an unbound, binder-ready format, the Learning Guide can serve as the foundation as the student’s course notebook.
• Extensive exercise sets offer several types of exercises. This variety makes it easy to create well-rounded homework assignments from the text or in MyMathLab. Exercise types include the following:
  • NEW! Concept and Vocabulary Checks provide fill-in-the-blank and true/false exercises that assess students’ understanding of the definitions and concepts presented in the section. These are also assignable in MyMathLab.
  • Practice Plus Problems are more challenging exercises that require students to combine several skills or concepts.
  • Writing in Mathematics exercises ask students to explain terms and concepts in their own words, helping them to develop a mathematical vocabulary.
  • Critical Thinking Exercises stretch student thinking by taking concepts one step further while asking students to draw conclusions and justify answers. Make Sense and True/False exercises also fall under this category.
  • Review Exercises review previously covered topics to improve and maintain students’ understanding and mastery of the material.
  • Preview Exercises help students prepare for the following section by previewing the concepts that they will soon encounter.
• Mid-Chapter Check Points allow students to stop and assess the skills and concepts they’ve learned separately over several sections. The Mid-Chapter Check Points will now be available as a pre-made assignment in the Blitzer MyMathLab courses.
• Check Point exercises after every example make the text more interactive by offering students the opportunity to test their understanding of the example by working a similar exercise. Answers to all of the Check Points are in the answer section.
• Explanatory Voice Balloons translate algebraic ideas into everyday English, help clarify problem-solving procedures, present alternative ways of understanding concepts, and connect problems solving strategies to concepts students have already learned.
• Chapter Summaries are organized by section and highlight important concepts and topics with side-by-side examples to make it easy for students to study and check for mastery of important chapter content.

New and Updated Features

• New Applications and Real-World Data have been incorporated into this revision throughout the chapter and section openers, examples, and exercise sets. Applications include stretching one's life span, the emotional health of college freshmen, changing attitudes toward marriage, American Idol's viewership, math-themed comic strips, and more.
• Concept and Vocabulary Checks provide fill-in-the-blank and true/false exercises that will assess students’ understand of the definitions and concepts presented in the section.
• Great Question! takes the content from each Study Tip from the previous edition and presents it in the context of a student question. Answers to the questions offer suggestions for problem solving, point out common errors to avoid, and provide informal hints and suggestions.
• Achieving Success boxes offer strategies for success in math courses, along with suggestions to help developmental students achieve their full academic potential.

New to the Supplements Package

• The Learning Guide helps students learn how to make the most of their textbook and its companion learning tools, including MyMathLab. Organized by the textbook’s learning objectives, this workbook provides additional practice for each section and guidance for test preparation. Published in an unbound, binder-ready format, the Learning Guide can serve as the foundation for students’ course notebooks.
• The Lectures Series on DVD featuring Chapter Test Prep Videos has been completely revised to provide students with extra help for each section of the textbook. All videos from the series are also available in MyMathLab. The videos include:
  • Section lectures with a new interface, which provides easy navigation to objectives and key examples and exercises.
  • Chapter Test Prep Videos, which offer step-by-step video solutions to every problem in each Chapter Test in the textbook. The Chapter Test Prep videos are also now available on YouTube™.

• Two MyMathLab course options are now available: a standard course and a Ready to Go course.

• • Standard MyMathLab courses allow instructors to build their course their way, offering maximum flexibility and complete control over all aspects of assignment creation. 
  • The new Ready to Go courses provide students with all the same great MyMathLab features, but make it easier for instructors to get started. Each course includes pre-assigned homework and quizzes to make creating a course even easier.
  • Both course options will feature the following items:
    • All videos from the Lecture Series on DVD featuring Chapter Test Prep Videos.
    • The Learning Guide in PDF format.
    • Pre-made (and pre-assigned in the Ready to Go course) section-level homework assignments.
    • Pre-made chapter review quizzes that are pre-assigned in the Ready to Go Course and generate homework assignments based on students’ quiz results.
    • Assignable Concept and Vocabulary Checks to assess students’ understanding of the definitions and concepts presented in each section.
    • Mid-Chapter Check Point exercises to allow students to stop and assess the skills and concepts they’ve learned separately over several sections.
    • Pre-made (and pre-assigned in the Ready to Go course) pre- and post-test for every chapter.

 Content Updates

• Section 1.1 (Algebraic Expressions, Real Numbers, and Interval Notation) introduces interval notation, which is used throughout the book.
• Section 2.2 (Graphs of Functions) uses interval notation to identify the d