COLLEGE ALGEBRA IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Guerrier’s unique introduction to college algebra provides historical context.

Algebra is notoriously difficult to teach, in part because its instruction commonly neglects any discussion of its historical origins and evolutions, not to mention its practical applications. The author ambitiously aims to rectify this by furnishing a lucid discussion of the genesis of algebra, one that emphasizes the need to develop an algebraic science commensurate with the “continued role of symbolism and the growth of human activities.” Guerrier accessibly links algebra to its use in modern computing and supplies contemporary examples of its applications, including a discussion of the use of logarithms in the operation of a seismograph. The author covers topics from matrices and quadratic equations to parabolic functions and polynomials, and his attentiveness to the context of the discipline never comes at the expense of diligently conveying its mechanics. As in many textbooks, the pages are filled with useful illustrations and graphs (as well as a consideration of the algebraic significance of graphs), scores of helpful exercises, and a useful glossary. This is an exceedingly eccentric mathematics text—Guerrier is unafraid to pose deeply philosophical questions, like, “But, exactly what is a number?” Additionally, the book is adorned with the author’s own paintings, which are accompanied by cryptic aphorisms such as, “A beacon reflecting on the reefs of my Caribbean soul announces the imminent destination.” While it remains impenetrably unclear what this gnomic proclamation means, or of what relevance it could possibly have to the subject matter, perhaps the peculiar quirkiness is an advantage—such strange digressions could pique the interest of a student struggling to focus on the dry material at hand. The unconventional approach and the thoughtful but straightforward nature of the author’s explanations make this an alluring choice for instructors.

A rigorous, thoughtful, and delightfully unusual textbook.