College Algebra: In Simplest Terms

The latest entry in the Annenberg/CPB Collection is this video series designed to teach college algebra using a combination of academic instruction and practical, real-life situations. We watched the 4th and 12th programs in the series, Factoring Polynomials and Ellipse and Hyperbola. Host Solomon Garfunkel takes students through the various operations on polynomials in Factoring Polynomials, demonstrating with examples how to factor polynomials. After showing a clip from E. T. in which the little alien does not display a sure sense of algebraic principles when he tries to phone home, the program interviews Harvard University's Paul Horowitz who is actively engaged in trying to locate signals from extraterrestrials-and definitely needs algebra to accomplish his goal. In Ellipse and Hyperbola, Garfunkel shows students how to find equations in the conic sections and discusses practical applications, including the elliptical hall which makes the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sound so good, and a little money maker that Garfunkel invented in college: an elliptical pool table which mathematically guaranteed his sinking the ball. An excellent series for high schools and colleges, this is also highly recommended for larger public libraries. (Available from: Intellimation, P.O. Box 1922, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1922; 1800-LEARNER.)