Yoshiwara's INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA was written with two goals in mind: to present the skills of algebra in the context of modeling and problem solving; and to engage students as active participants in the process of learning. Unlike other introductory algebra texts, Yoshiwara's INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA, builds an intuitive framework for the future study of functions in intermediate algebra. This clearly differentiates Yoshiwara from standard introductory algebra texts. The text emphasizes the study of tables and graphs, and the concept of the variable is developed from that platform. Graphs are used extensively throughout the book to illustrate algebraic technique and to help students visualize relationships between variables. The numerous labeled grids paired with exercises throughout the text reinforce the need to draw graphs by hand while helping students to focus on the properties of the graphs by eliminating the time-consuming task for beginning students of choosing the appropriate scales for the axes. Suggestions for calculator activities are included on the text web site by the authors believe that this skill must be learned through practice with pencil and paper. Read Less