Summary for the Fourth Edition

J. Douglas Faires and James DeFranza

In this PreCalculus book:

• The focus is on the essential prerequisites needed for calculus, with the assumption that the students taking the course will be in a calculus course in their next term.
• Graphing and the analysis of functions is used to smooth the transition to calculus.
• Algebra and trigonometry review is woven through the text to help students see where the gaps in their background must be filled before they take calculus.
• Explanations in the margin alert students to material that applies directly to calculus.
• New concepts are presented using relevant applications, reinforced first with examples and then with exercises.
• Technology is integrated throughout as a tool to extend knowledge, never as a substitute for the mastery of basic concepts that will be needed in calculus.
• Important applications of technology are highlighted throughout the text, even though the use of technological devices are not required.
• The amount of essential material has been kept to a length that can reasonably be covered in a single term.
• Modest four-color format is used to improve explanations of complicated subjects.

Additional course material will be added to the book web site when it is helpful to instructors and students. This allows flexibility while keeping the core material of a reasonable size.

We hope you have a productive and pleasant experience with this PreCalculus book. If you have any suggestions that will help us improve your experience, please do not hesitate to contact us at the e-mail addresses listed below.

Doug Faires (faires@math.ysu.edu)

Jim DeFranza (jdef@stlawu.edu)