A Concise Introduction to College Algebra with Preliminaries

About This Textbook

This concise college algebra textbook is designed for students preparing for precalculus or other STEM courses. It covers essential algebraic concepts in a single semester format, omitting trigonometric functions to focus on core algebraic principles.

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This OER is periodically updated with corrections and improvements. Check back for the latest version.

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Active Learning Approach

Each section begins with learning goals and think-about-it questions, followed by partially completed examples that students finish to strengthen problem-solving skills.

Self-Paced Study

Exercises include answers for self-checking, allowing students to practice independently and track their understanding of key concepts.

Instructor Flexibility

Content is organized roughly by learning goals so instructors can easily select sections that align with their course objectives while omitting others.

Curriculum Structure

The material is organized into four progressive parts that build upon each other, providing a logical learning pathway from foundational concepts to advanced applications.

Part I: Preliminaries

  • Arithmetics and Fractions
  • Integer Exponents of Numbers
  • Basics of Polynomials
  • Square Roots
  • Geometry Essentials

Part II: Expressions

  • Integer Exponents
  • Factoring Polynomials
  • Rational Expressions
  • Radicals and Rational Exponents
  • Complex Numbers

Part III: Equations

  • Quadratic Equations
  • Rational Equations
  • Radical Equations
  • Absolute Value Equations
  • Linear Inequalities
  • Systems of Linear Equations

Part IV: Functions

  • Introduction to Functions
  • Linear Functions
  • Quadratic Functions
  • Rational Functions
  • Radical Functions
  • Exponential Functions
  • Logarithmic Functions
  • Exponential Equations and Applications
  • Logarithmic Equations and Applications

Contributions and Feedback

This textbook is a living resource that improves with community input. The author welcomes comments, corrections, and suggestions to enhance future editions.