About the Book

NOTE: This edition features the same content as the traditional text in a convenient, three-hole-punched, loose-leaf version. Books a la Carte also offer a great value; this format costs significantly less than a new textbook. Before purchasing, check with your instructor or review your course syllabus to ensure that you select the correct ISBN. For Books a la Carte editions that include MyLab(TM) or Mastering(TM), several versions may exist for each title-including customized versions for individual schools-and registrations are not transferable. In addition, you may need a Course ID, provided by your instructor, to register for and use MyLab or Mastering platforms.

For courses in College Algebra.

Steadfast support for the evolving college algebra course

In Essentials of College Algebra, 12th Edition, the experience of master teachers helps students develop both the conceptual understanding and analytical skills needed to succeed in mathematics. This revision offers a new suite of resources to support today's instructors and students.

• Supports all classroom types: A complete suite of instructional materials includes updates to MyLab(TM) Math and MathXL^(R).

• Supports learning concepts: A systematic approach engages students in the learning process. The variety of exercise types promotes conceptual understanding and reduces rote memorization.

• Supports review and test preparation: Ample opportunities for review appear throughout and at the end of chapters.

Also available with MyLab Math

MyLab(TM) Math is the teaching and learning platform that empowers instructors to reach every student. By combining trusted author content with digital tools and a flexible platform, MyLab personalizes the learning experience and improves results for each student.

NOTE: You are purchasing a standalone product; MyLab Math does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MyLab Math, ask your instructor to confirm the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

If you would like to purchase both the physical text and MyLab Math, search for:

0134851056 / 9780134851051 Essentials of College Algebra, Books a la Carte Edition Plus MyLab Math with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package, 12/e

Package consists of:

• 0134675029 / 9780134675022 Essentials of College Algebra, Books a la Carte Edition

• 0134860381 / 9780134860381 MyLab Math with Pearson eText - Standalone Access Card - for Essentials of College Algebra

About the Author: About our authors

The late Marge Lial was always interested in math; it was her favorite subject in the first grade! Marge's intense desire to educate both her students and herself has inspired the writing of numerous best-selling textbooks. Marge, who received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from California State University at Sacramento, was affiliated with American River College. An avid reader and traveler, her travel experiences often found their way into her books as applications, exercise sets, and feature sets. Her interest in archeology led to trips to various digs and ruin sites, producing some fascinating problems for her textbooks involving such topics as the building of Mayan pyramids and the acoustics of ancient ball courts in the Yucatan.

When John Hornsby enrolled as an undergraduate at Louisiana State University, he was uncertain whether he wanted to study mathematics education or journalism. His ultimate decision was to become a teacher, but after 25 years of teaching at the high school and university levels and 15 years of writing mathematics textbooks, both of his goals have been realized. His love for both teaching and for mathematics is evident in his passion for working with students and fellow teachers as well. His specific professional interests are recreational mathematics, mathematics history, and incorporating graphing calculators into the curriculum. John's personal life is busy as he devotes time to his family (wife Gwen, and sons Chris, Jack and Josh), and has been an avid baseball fan all of his life. John's other hobbies include numismatics (the study of coins) and record collecting. He loves the music of the 1960s and has an extensive collection of the recorded works of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

David Schneider has taught mathematics at universities for over 34 years and has authored 36 books. He has an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Oberlin College and a PhD in mathematics from MIT. During most of his professional career, he was on the faculty of the University of Maryland - College Park. His hobbies include travel, dancing, bicycling and hiking.

Callie Daniels has always had a passion for learning mathematics and brings that passion into the classroom with her students. She attended the University of the Ozarks on an athletic scholarship, playing both basketball and tennis. While there, she earned a bachelor's degree in Secondary Mathematics Education as well as the NAIA Academic All-American Award. She has two master's degrees: one in Applied Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Missouri - Rolla, the second in Adult Education from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Her hobbies include watching her sons play sports, riding horses, fishing, shooting photographs and playing guitar. Her professional interests include improving success in the community college mathematics sequence, using technology to enhance students' understanding of mathematics, and creating materials that support classroom teaching and student understanding.