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Pre-Calculus Textbook Recommendations | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 hidden)
[new] some possible precalculus texts (none / 0) (#2)
by Tyrone Slothrop on Fri Oct 29, 2004 at 08:24:16 AM PDT

I am currently using Warren Esty's Precalculus (self-published). I like the attention to multiple representations of the concepts and the clever use of graphing calculators to enhance algebraic and reasoning skills. (Calculators can often make things more complicated rather than simpler.) But some of the writing is less than precise, especially in the definitions and theorems. He covers functions and inverses in full before starting with lines and quadratics, which I like, but others may find annoying. One of my colleagues has been quite happy with Connally, Hughes-Hallett, et al, Precalculus: Functions Modeling Change. I can't speak in its favor firsthand, though. I found two other books that take a modeling approach - again I have not used these so I cannot endorse them firsthand: * Precalculus: Modeling Our World - a COMAP book, and * Zumoff and Schaufle, Earth Angles: Precalculus Mathematics with Applications to Environmental Issues, A question you have to ask yourself if you adopt a modeling approach is whether you can still cover all the necessary skills to "train" for calculus. The answer depends upon the individual instructor's philosopy of teaching and the role that precalculus plays in her/his institution. (For example, in my institution precalculus doubles as a specific training course for calculus and as a way to remove a deficiency in admissions requirements.)
-TS


Pre-Calculus Textbook Recommendations | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 hidden)
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