0

SHELDONS'

COMPLETE ALGEBRA.

PART I. BEING SHELDONS' ELEMENTS OF ALGEBRA;

PART II. BEING MORE ADVANCED ALGEBRA.

SHELDON & COMPANY,

NEW YORK & CHICAGO.

Part First of this book is the Elements of Algebra; Part Second contains more difficult Test
Examples; General Demonstrations; and such subjects as are usually

embraced in more advanced Algebra.)

SHELDONS' WORD STUDIES,

SHELDONS' MODERN SCHOOL READERS,

SHELDONS' SUPPLEMENTARY READING.

Copyright, 1887, 1888, by Sheldon & Co.

Electrotyped by R. HARMER SMITH & SONS, 82 Beekman St., New York.

PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.

ART I. of this book contains a treatment of all the sub

PART

jects usually found in an elementary algebra. Lengthy and unnecessary explanations, and side issues of every kind, have been carefully excluded. For the reason that at the student's first acquaintance with algebra he finds it difficult to understand general demonstrations, they have for the most part been omitted. Instead of such demonstrations, the analogies between the processes of arithmetic and those of algebra have been brought out by means of numerical illustrations.

The aim has been to furnish an abundance of exercises properly graded, and sufficiently easy for the pupil of average ability.

These exercises are in large measure original, and they have all been tested in the class-room.

A want long felt by teachers of algebra is a book containing examples, the solution of which shall really discipline the student in the principles of algebra, and give him dexterity in performing its operations.

The first part of the book will be found to be entirely different in plan from other algebras, and its simplicity will commend it to the discriminating teacher.

Its purpose is to make plain to the student that algebra, so far as its fundamental operations are concerned, is only literal arithmetic,—is merely the application of arithmetical processes to symbols of general values.

The definition of algebra is made to conform with the fact that algebra proper is concerned in investigating the equation, and in applying it to the solution of problems.

The book is committed to the teacher with the hope that on trial it will be found what the publishers believe it to bea good working book,

Part II. is intended so to supplement Part I. that the book may be in the best sense a COMPLETE ALGEBRA.

The chapter on Differentiation and its applications will be found a valuable addition to the subjects usually found in treatises on advanced algebra.

SHELDON & COMPANY.