Contemporary Precalculus: A Graphing Approach

by Thomas W. Hungerford

Book Overview

Respected for its detailed guidance in using technology, CONTEMPORARY PRECALCULUS: A GRAPHING APPROACH, Fifth Edition, is written from the ground up to be used with graphing calculators that you may be using in your precalculus course. You'll appreciate that the text has also long been recognized for its careful, thorough explanations and its presentation of mathematics in an informal yet mathematically precise manner. The authors also emphasize the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0495108332
• ISBN13: 9780495108337
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Length: 1088 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 8.1" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

Good book, although the images are not to my tastes

This book is different from many others, as the graphing calculator is an integral part of the instruction. A large number of the images are nothing more than what a graphing calculator will present when asked to plot a segment of a particular function. Since the material is standard precalculus, the decision whether to adopt this text will be largely based on your opinion concerning the role of graphing calculators in mathematics education. While there is no question that graphing calculators can be of help, they can also be a hindrance. Graphs are just another tool that enable us to better understand the concepts and are not a complete solution. All mathematicians are aware that diagrams can be inadequate and at times appear to be accurate when they are not. While their resolution is improving, the visual aspects of the graphing calculator are still somewhat crude. The diagrams in this book can at times be confusing, as the points are still tiny squares and if the student takes the figures too seriously, they can be misleading. As we all know, if there is an opportunity for students to be mislead, some will avail themselves of the opportunity. In some ways, it is a step backwards. For years, publishers have labored to create very high quality diagrams with a great deal of contrast between the different parts. This has made the diagrams much easier to read, but in the images of the calculators there is very little contrast and the figures are crude. Of greater concern is the real problem that students will use the calculator as a psychological crutch and fail to learn the mathematical justification of the results. For example, when we are dealing with the graphs of functions of the form y = (x - h)*(x - h) + k, out interest is in their understanding concerning how the position of the graph changes as h and k changes. If they rely on the graphing calculator too much, they will never learn the fundamental reasons for the shifts. In terms of presentation, I found the book to be soundly written, the explanations are understandable and complete. The level is appropriate and the material is the usual precalculus fare. The last chapter deals with limits and continuity, which of course is the beginning of calculus. Considering that there are over 800 pages of material without it, one can argue both positions as to whether it should have been included. A large number of exercises appear at the end of the sections and answers to the odds are included at the end. A CD-ROM with over 8 hours of video instruction is included with the book and qualified adopters of the book can receive content-specific videotapes. I will not be adopting this book, largely due to the emphasis on graphing calculators. To me, graphing calculators create more problems than they solve in education. However, if you feel otherwise, then this book will likely be exactly what you are looking for.