Three components contribute to a theme sustained throughout the Coburn/Herdlick Graphs and Models series: that of laying a firm foundation, building a solid framework, and providing strong connections. In the Graphs and Models texts, the authors combine their depth of experience with the conversational style and the wealth of applications that the Coburn/Herdlick texts have become known for. By combining a graphical approach to problem solving with algebraic methods, students learn how to relate their mathematical knowledge to the outside world. The authors use technology to solve the more true to life equations, to engage more applications, and to explore the more substantial questions involving graphical behavior. Benefiting from the feedback of hundreds of instructors and students across the country, Precalculus: Graphs & Models emphasizes connections in order to improve the level of student engagement in mathematics and increase their chances of success in precalculus and calculus.

The launch of the Coburn/Herdlick Graphs and Models series provides a significant leap forward in terms of online course management with McGraw-Hill’s new homework platform, Connect Math Hosted by ALEKS Corp. Math instructors served as digital contributors to choose the problems that will be available, authoring each algorithm and providing stepped out solutions that go into great detail and are focused on areas where students commonly make mistakes. From there, the ALEKS Corporation reviewed each algorithm to ensure accuracy. A unifying theme throughout the entire process was the involvement of the authors. Through each step, they provided feedback and guidance to the digital contributors to ensure that the content being developed digitally closely matched the textbook. The result is an online homework platform that provides superior content and feedback, allowing students to effectively learn the material being taught.