Today's algebra students want to know the why behind what they are learning and it is this that motivates them to succeed in the course. By focusing on algebra in a real-world context, Gary Rockswold gracefully and succinctly answers this need. As many topics taught in today's college algebra course aren't as crucial to students as they once were, Gary has developed this streamlined text, covering linear, quadratic, nonlinear, exponential, and logarithmic functions and systems of equations and inequalities, to get to the heart of what students need from this course. By answering the why and streamlining the how, Rockswold has created a text to serve today's students and help them to truly succeed.