Functions appear early and integrated, reflecting the authors’ belief that functions are best taught as a theme of the course, not as an isolated topic. Functions are introduced in Chapter 1, so that students to start the course with a new topic rather than a review of equation-solving that was covered in previous math courses. Students will come to understand the concept of a function by being exposed repeatedly to thelanguage, notation, and use of functions throughout the text. The authors take a visual approach to the course. The early introduction to functions allows for the use of graphs to provide a visual aspect to solving equations and inequalities. In addition, specific features enable students to “see the math” and make connections between concepts. Algebraic/Graphical Side-by-Side Examples present the solutions in a two-column format to help students understand the connection between algebraic manipulation and the graphical interpretation. Visualizing the Graph exercises help develop students’ ability to make the mental link between different types of equations and their corresponding graphs. Connecting the Concepts, a hallmark feature of the text, invites the student to stop and check their understanding of how concepts work together in one section or several sections. Concepts are summarized visually–using graphs, outlines, or charts–so that students deepen their understanding and make connections. Ongoing review features throughout the text reinforce the concepts and help students build understanding. NEW! Mid-chapter Review exercises are one-page mixed review sets at logical breaks in the chapter, helping students to reinforce their understanding of the concepts. These exercises are assignable in MyMathLab. NEW! Study Summaries have been added to the Chapter Review, giving students a built-in study aid when reviewing and preparing for tests. In MyMathLab, these Study Summaries are accompanied by new videos to reinforce the key concepts and ideas. Enhanced! Vocabulary Review exercises appear in the last section of each chapter, and check students’ understanding of the language of mathematics. These are now assignable in MyMathLab and can serve as reading quizzes. Enhanced! Synthesis exercises, included at the end of each exercise set, encourage critical thinking by asking students to apply multiple skills or concepts within a single exercise. For the Fourth Edition, these are assignable in MyMathLab. Classify the Function exercises, appearing in the Skill Maintenance section of the exercise sets, ask students to identify a number of functions by their type (linear, quadratic, rational, etc.). Throughout the text, the variety of functions increases and these exercises become more challenging. Review Icons refer students to an earlier, related section where they can go to review prerequisite concepts that are needed for the current section. Study Tips are occasional, brief reminders in the margin, to promote effective study habits such as good note taking and exam preparation. Technology Connections are optional sections that guide students in the use of the graphing calculator as another way to check problems. Zeros, Solutions, andx-Intercepts are a theme of the text. The authors aim to help students see the connection between the real zeros of the function, the solutions of the associated equation, and the first coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph. When students develop their understanding of these connections, their probability of success increases for this course.