Includes index.

"Precalculus begins with a comprehensive study of functions and their applications and then continues with more advanced material, all designed to prepare students for calculus. A full review of college algebra topics is integrated with a rigorous presentation of concepts that form the foundation of calculus, including a detailed coverage of trigonometry. Each chapter provides historical context, technology notes, and applications. Updates to the third edition include a more streamlined table of contents, new chapters (Chapter 4: Working with Functions and Chapter 13: An Introduction to Limits, Continuity, and the Derivative), and more robust content. New topics covered include: The difference quotient Constructing mathematical models Regression (linear, quadratic, exponential, logistic, and logarithmic) Interpolation and extrapolation Intervals of monotonicity Local extrema Average rate of change Stretching and compressing graphs horizontally Solving elementary logarithmic equations The Pythagorean Theorem The Unit Circle Simple Harmonic Motion Hyperbolic Functions Systems of linear inequalities Systems of nonlinear inequalities"-- Provided by publisher.