Two educators at Pierce College have embraced the online and Open Textbook initiatives with their free online precalculus textbook. It is being updated fairly regularly – the last time I checked the latest edition was 1.4 released on April 14, 2014.
This textbook is one where the authors take the time to use truly practical, real-world examples. They define functions using references to a person’s age and height, menu items and grades. Rate is explained using an example of gasoline prices. And, linear functions are explained using an example of a taxi cab ride in Las Vegas.
This precalculus textbook is the work of David Lippman and Melonie Rasmussen. Lippman has been teaching at Pierce College since 2000 and Rasmussen since 2002. Rasmussen also taught at the Puyallup School District for 6 years prior to joining the faculty at Pierce.
This precalculus textbook is available as a single PDF file or the individual chapters can be downloaded as single PDF or Word files. The text is also available for purchase, at a price that is most likely less than what it would cost to print it yourself. A number of colleges and universities have adopted this textbook for their classes.
Chapters in the Online Textbook Precalculus: An Investigation of Functions
- Functions
- Linear Functions
- Polynomial and Rational Functions
- Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Trigonometric Functions of Angles
- Periodic Functions
- Trigonometric Equations and Identities
- Further Applications of Trigonometry
The text also includes solutions to selected exercises.
View this Free Online Material at the source:
Precalculus: An Investigation of Functions
