Precalculus: A Study of Functions and Their Applications  has several important features:

• Coverage of Functions  Each of the basic types of functions (linear, exponential, logarithmic, periodic, and power) are introduced early in the book. Properties of these functions are developed throughout the reminder of the text. This leads to a natural review as students build on their understanding of these functions. It also emphasizes the connections of mathematical ideas by unifying the study of functions around mathematical concepts rather than around types of functions.

• Writing Style  Students are expected to read the text. It is written in a conversational format addressed to the student. Reading questions are incorporated throughout each section. In these questions, students are asked to write about key concepts and do simple problems.

• Exercises & Investigations  Each exercise set includes investigations. These are extended problems in which students explore either a mathematical concept or an application. Several topics covered in the reading first appear as an investigation in an earlier section. This foreshadows mathematical ideas and allows the students to gain some firsthand experience with a concept before encountering it formally. Investigations can be used as part of a regular homework assignment, group homework, a small group in­class activity, or as a class discussion.

• Projects  A project is included with each chapter. These incorporate a variety of topics and can be used to reinforce and extend the topics presented in that chapter. A typical project requires one or two class periods and approximately five additional hours of student work outside class. The projects are best completed by students working in groups. These projects were written with the partial support of a grant from the National Science Foundation. This material was previously published under the title Projects for Precalculus by Saunders College Publishing.

• Applications  The inclusion of applications is an integral part of the text. All of the applications included in the text involve real situations with actual data. These applications occur in the reading, the exercises, the investigations, and the projects. Every application has been researched and care has been taken to insure that the data given is accurate.

• Historical Anecdotes  Included in the reading are historical anecdotes. We also include some recent developments in mathematics so students realize that mathematical knowledge continues to evolve and that interesting, applicable mathematical questions are still being explored. We want students to see mathematics as an ongoing human endeavor with roots in the past.

• Approach  Topics are presented using multiple representations (symbolic, numerical, graphical, and verbal).

• Graphing Calculator  It is assumed that students have daily access to graphing calculators. We emphasize ways in which the calculator can be used to gain mathematical understanding, but rarely give specific keystrokes.