After a historical overview of the evolution of algebra, this course explores the various families of functions, from linear to quadratic to rational and, finally, to the family of exponential functions.
Each family serves as the building block for understanding the next more advanced family of functions.
The penultimate section addresses systems of equations and inequalities—taken from among the families studied previously. The final section examines fractals and chaos.
Dr. Neagoy uses stories and myths about mathematicians to humanize their work. Concrete models such as prisms, cubes, and disks are employed to help students connect algebraic expressions with the shapes and quantities they describe. Graphing calculators are used throughout this course to enhance understanding.