These are standard topics in virtually any advanced algebra course. Drill problems covering the terminology and definitions are included, but emphasized less than in traditional algebra books. The principal topics of Sections 2.2 through 2.4, linear, exponential and power functions and their properties, are certainly familiar topics in virtually any advanced algebra course. However, as you read these sample sections, you will find that the treatment of these topics is much different than that found in traditional advanced algebra courses. In standard courses, these three classes of functions are treated as separate, self-contained packages, each with its own applicationa and with its applications usually placed at the end of each package.
Power functions have no similar description in terms of rates of increase or decrease.
The practical implications of these comparisons are explored in a variety of contexts including population growth and comparative economic growth. Section 2.5 on logarithmic functions makes similar comparisons about the relative growth of power and logarithmic functions. You are not requierd to read Section 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, or 4.5 for any of the work specified for this module, but you may find it intersting to scan the content because you will find that it focuses much more on the graphical characteristics of polynomial functions than typical advanced algebra books. The focus of the sample section, Section 4.6, on ploynomial functions is on recognizing polynomial functions by successive differences, an important topic for applications that is normally omitted in standard advanced algebra courses. The sample section on transformations of functions, Section 4.4, is a bit misplaced in this chapter because the content is not restricted to polynomial functions.