Beginning Algebra, 9th edition, by Baratto, Bergman, and Hutchison is part of the latest offerings in the successful Hutchison Series in Mathematics. The book is designed for a one-semester course in beginning algebra and is appropriate for lecture, learning center, laboratory, and self-paced settings. The ninth edition continues the series’ hallmark approach of encouraging mastery of mathematics through careful practice. The text provides detailed, straightforward explanations and accessible pedagogy to help students grow their math skills from the ground up. The authors use a three-pronged approach of communication, pattern recognition, and problem solving to present concepts understandably, stimulate critical-thinking skills, and stress reading and communication skills in order to help students become effective problem-solvers. Features such as Tips for Student Success, Check Yourself exercises, and Activities underscore this approach and the underlying philosophy of mastering math through practice. Exercise sets have been significantly expanded and are now better-organized, and applications are now more thoroughly integrated throughout the text.

Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn’t know in a course. ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics she is most ready to learn. As a student works through a course, ALEKS periodically reassesses the student to ensure that topics learned are also retained. ALEKS courses are very complete in their topic coverage and ALEKS avoids multiple-choice questions. A student who shows a high level of mastery of an ALEKS course will be successful in the actual course she is taking.