Get the knowledge and skills you need to solve pre-calculus problems with confidence! The quickest route to learning a subject is through a solid grounding in the basics. Rather than endless drills, this accessible guide presents an original, step-by-step approach to help you develop a better understanding of pre-calculus topics. You’ll find important concepts linked together by clear explanations, invaluable exercises, and helpful worked-out problems. Once you’ve mastered the topics in this book, you will find yourself well-equipped to begin your calculus studies.    This book features: • A new Trigonometry chapter that will round out your pre-calculus studies • Clear explanations that break down concepts into easy-to-understand steps • Stay-in-step "pop-ups" offering helpful advice and cautions against common errors • Step-it-up skill-building exercises linking practice to the core steps already presented • Worked-out solutions to all exercises that reinforce understanding of concepts

Table of Contents:
1 Graphs and the Graphing Calculator Step 1. Review Linear Equations Step 2. Meet the Parents Step 3. Master the Fundamentals of Graphing Step 4. Transform the Graphs Step 5. Master Basic Calculator Skills 2 Functions Step 1. Analyze Relations and Functions Step 2. Perform Arithmetic of Functions Step 3. Compose Functions Step 4. Find Inverse Functions 3 Quadratic Functions Step 1. Solve Quadratic Functions Step 2. Explore Complex Numbers Step 3. Graph Parabolas Step 4. Apply What You’ve Learned 4 Polynomial Functions Step 1. Factor Polynomials Step 2. Use Synthetic Division to Find Zeros Step 3. Use Long Division to Factor Polynomials Step 4. Find the Zeros of Polynomial Functions Step 5. Graph Polynomial Functions 5 Rational Functions Step 1. Operate with Rational Expressions Step 2. Deal with Discontinuities Step 3. Examine End Behavior Step 4. Find Intercepts Step 5. Graph Rational Functions 6 Conic Sections Step 1. Analyze and Graph Parabolas Step 2. Analyze and Graph Ellipses Step 3. Analyze and Graph Circles Step 4. Analyze and Graph Hyperbolas Step 5. Graph and Solve Quadratic Systems 7 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Step 1. Get to Know the Exponential Function Step 2. Define the Logarithmic Function Step 3. Learn to Use Properties of Logarithms Step 4. Solve Exponential and Logarithmic Equations Step 5. Explore Exponential Growth and Decay 8 Radical Functions Step 1. Review Rules for Exponents Step 2. Simplify Radicals and Rationalize Denominators Step 3. Explore the Square Root and Cube Root Functions 9 Systems of Equations Step 1. Review Two-Variable Linear Systems Step 2. Solve Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables Step 3. Solve Nonlinear Systems 10 Matrices and Determinants Step 1. Master Matrix Arithmetic Step 2. Find Determinants Step 3. Apply Cramer’s Rule Step 4. Find Inverse Matrices Step 5. Solve Systems by Inverse Matrices 11 Triangle Trigonometry Step 1. Review Right Triangle Trigonometry Step 2. Use Trigonometry to Find Areas Step 3. Use the Law of Cosines to Extend to Nonright Triangles Step 4. Apply the Law of Sines 12 Trigonometric Functions Step 1. Expand Your Concept of Angles Step 2. Learn the Unit Circle Step 3. Define Trigonometric Functions Step 4. Explore Inverse Trigonometric Functions Step 5. Verify Identities Step 6. Use Identities Step 7. Solve Trigonometric Equations 13 Polar and Parametric Equations Step 1. Plot Points in the Polar Coordinate System Step 2. Convert Coordinates Between Systems Step 3. Graph Polar Equations Step 4. Convert Equations Between Polar and Rectangular Forms Step 5. Convert Equations Between Parametric and Function Forms Step 6. Graph Parametric Equations 14 Transformations Step 1. Understand the Geometry of Reflections Step 2. Translate by Reflecting Step 3. Rotate by Reflecting Step 4. Dilate Geometrically Step 5. Use Matrices for Transformations 15 Rotating Conics Step 1. Create the Equation that Rotates a Conic Step 2. Recognize Rotation in Equations Step 3. Graph a Rotated Conic Step 4: Classify Rotated Conics without Graphing 16 Complex Numbers Step 1. Change Between Forms Step 2. Add and Subtract Complex Numbers Step 3. Multiply and Divide Complex Numbers Step 4. Raise a Complex Number to a Power Step 5. Find the Roots of a Complex Number 17 Limits Step 1. Evaluate Limits Step 2. Deal with Problems Step 3. Use Properties of Limits Step 4. Evaluate Infinite Limits and Limits at Infinity 18 Sequences and Series Step 1. Find Terms of Sequences Step 2. Find Limits of Sequences Step 3. Find Sums of Series Step 4. Find Sums of Infinite Series Answer Key Index