Essentials of Algebra With Modeling and Visualization

Gary Rockswold teaches algebra in context, answering the question, “Why am I learning this?” By experiencing math through applications, students see how it fits into their lives, and they become motivated to succeed. Rockswold’s focus on conceptual understanding helps students make connections between the concepts and as a result, students see the bigger picture of math and are prepared for future courses. This streamlined text covers linear, quadratic, nonlinear, exponential, and logarithmic functions and systems of equations and inequalities, which gets to the heart of what students need from this course. A more comprehensive college algebra text is also available.

Dr. Gary Rockswold has taught mathematics for 35 years at all levels from seventh grade to graduate school, including junior high and high school students, talented youth, vocational, undergraduate and graduate students, and adult education classes. He is professor emeritus at Minnesota State University, Mankato and has been a principal investigator at the Minnesota Supercomputer Institute. He graduated with majors in mathematics and physics from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Iowa State University. He has an interdisciplinary background and has also taught physical science, astronomy, and computer science. His passion is to write and speak about the relevance and amazing impact that mathematics has on our society. Outside of mathematics, he enjoys boating, sailing, and spending time with his wife and two adult children.