12 Best Precalculus Books [2024 Updated] | Precalculus Books

Top Precalculus books: If you are a beginner in precalculus and looking for the best precalculus textbooks, then you are right place. I have more than 20 years of experience in precalculus which makes me identify the best precalculus books for you. Here you can identify the best reference books on precalculus which makes you decide to buy the top precalculus books. The list contains the following best books on precalculus:

1. Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus (7th Edition) by James Stewart

Author: James Stewart, Lothar Redlin, and Saleem Watson

Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus (7th Edition) by James Stewart, Lothar Redlin, and Saleem Watson is best known as one of the best and most popular books on Precalculus. This edition is written very simply and clearly, that overcomes typical barriers to understanding.

This textbook has many problems solved that may help students with problem-solving skills in Precalculus. The detail and clarity of the authors’ presentation make the book market-leading PreCalculus text. James Stewart’s precalculus textbook is the proven market leader on the topic.

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cengage Learning; 7th edition (January 1, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1216 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1305115309
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1070L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 1.75 x 11.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars (684 ratings)   

2. Precalculus by Michael Sullivan

Author: Michael Sullivan

Michael Sullivan’s Precalculus textbook is also one of the popular books on Precalculus. This book is helpful if you want to prepare for class tests, practice homework, and review concepts of precalculus.

This book covers all the necessary topics that today’s precalculus course needs. It is an useful book for students as well as for instructors.

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pearson; 10th edition (February 17, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1168 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0321979070
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.36 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.8 x 1.6 x 11.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars (275 ratings)   

3. Precalculus by Jay Abramson and OpenStax

Author: Jay Abramson and OpenStax

Precalculus by Jay Abramson and OpenStax is a comprehensive textbook that is designed to fit the needs of a variety of precalculus courses. It covers material for precalculus courses for one or more semesters. The contents are organized in a nice presentable way. It includes worked examples that can develop problem-solving skills in students.

This is the most affordable printed OpenStax textbook which is available with a unique soft cover and BW interior pages

The book is highly recommended for precalculus courses in a college/school. You do not need any extra reference book for that.

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ XanEdu Publishing Inc; First Edition (October 23, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1154 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1938168345
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 year and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 pounds
  • Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars (809 ratings)   
Best Calculus Books

4. Glencoe Precalculus Student Edition (ADVANCED MATH CONCEPTS)

Author: Mcgraw-Hill

Glencoe Precalculus Student Edition (ADVANCED MATH CONCEPTS) by Mcgraw-Hill is one of the best textbooks on the subject of Precalculus. Because McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide.

Many schools and colleges offer this precalculus book by McGraw-Hill for precalculus courses. One should definitely consider the book if you want to master precalculus. The book is highly recommended.

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ McGraw Hill
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1072 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0076602186
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 11 – 12
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.7 x 1.6 x 10.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars (71 ratings)   

5. Precalculus by Julie Miller

Author: Julie Miller and Donna Gerken

Precalculus by Miller and Gerken is an excellent textbook on precalculus. The author Julie Miller has seen that her students come to precalculus courses underprepared. Keeping this in mind, she wrote this book.

This book offers to fill up the gap between algebra and this subject as this Precalculus textbook is carefully constructed. One should definitely consider the book to learn this beautiful subject.

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ McGraw Hill
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1216 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0078035609
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.91 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 1.86 x 11.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars (149 ratings)   

6. Art of Problem Solving Precalculus Textbook and Solutions Manual 2-Book Set

Author: Richard Rusczyk

This problem-solving Precalculus textbook and solutions manual (2 sets) by Richard Rusczyk has two parts: one is the basic textbook and the other one is the solutions manual.

The book is ideal for you if you want to get high marks in the exam or want to clear a competition. It contains 1000 practice problems. This Precalculus textbook covers a wide range of topics: trigonometry, complex numbers, vectors, and matrices.

Product Details:

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0083CJAOE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Art of Problem Solving (January 1, 1965)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.89 pounds
  • Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars (55 ratings)   

7. Precalculus: Concepts Through Functions, a Unit Circle Approach to Trigonometry

Author: Michael Sullivan

Precalculus by Michael Sullivan is a textbook that introduces the subject through the concepts of functions, a unit circle approach to trigonometry. This book is ideal for preparing for class, practicing homework, and reviewing concepts of precalculus. It helps to develop knowledge on the subject.

This can be a better textbook than the usual precalculus books offered in the colleges. The precalculus book by Michael Sullivan can be used as a tutor supplement and it is excellent for this purpose.

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pearson; 4th edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1224 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0134686974
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.08 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.8 x 8.5 x 10.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars (119 ratings)   

8. Precalculus by Ron Larson

Author: Ron Larson

This 10th edition of the Precalculus textbook by Ron Larson explains math concepts, examples, and exercises very nicely that help you to relate everyday life and innovative technology. It has the following two features:

  1. new “Summarize” features
  2. “Checkpoint” problems

that reinforce your understanding of the subject helping you to do better in exams. Because of this new feature, one can consider the book for reference.

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cengage Learning
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 976 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1337271073
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 1.5 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars (185 ratings)   

9. Trigonometry

Author: Margaret Lial, John Hornsby, David Schneider, Callie Daniels

The Trigonometry book by Lial, Hornsby, Schneider, and Daniels is compatible with the new student expectations and new classroom models. This book is a great resource for both students and teachers as it covers a wide range of topics on the subject. Each chapter contains test prep and review exercises.

  1. Trigonometric Functions
  2. Acute Angles and Right Triangles
  3. Radian Measure and the Unit Circle
  4. Graphs of the Circular Functions
  5. Trigonometric Identities
  6. Inverse Circular Functions and Trigonometric Equations
  7. Applications of Trigonometry and Vectors
  8. Complex Numbers, Polar Equations, and Parametric Equations

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pearson; 11th edition (January 11, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 504 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0134217437
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.53 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 1 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars (445 ratings)   

10. Precalculus by Robert Blitzer

Author: Robert Blitzer

The author Robert Blitzer is known for his engaging approach to mathematics. As a result, his precalculus textbook is #1 in the market year after year. The new edition is useful for students to succeed in the precalculus course. It contains a brief review of prerequisite topics, achieving Success boxes, and exercises in each chapter which makes the textbook unique.

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pearson; 6th edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1344 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0134469140
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.98 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.95 x 2.15 x 11.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars (294 ratings)   

11. Precalculus: A Self–Teaching Guide (Wiley Self–Teaching Guides)

Author: Steve Slavin and Ginny Crisonino

Precalculus by Slavin and Crisonino can be used to master precalculus in the fastest, easiest way. This is because the book maintains an easy-to-follow guide and is written clearly.

Both authors have experience teaching precalculus for many years at Union County College in Cranford, New Jersey. The book is recommended for self-study and is very helpful for beginners on the subject.

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wiley
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1620456217
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.33 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.56 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars (218 ratings)   

12. Pre-calculus Demystified by Rhonda Huettenmueller

Author: Rhonda Huettenmueller

Pre-Calculus Demystified by Rhonda Huettenmueller can be a key to mastering precalculus. The book is written clearly with detailed examples and end-of-chapter quizzes which make it easy to understand the subject. It covers the following topics:

  1. Linear questions
  2. Functions
  3. Polynomial division
  4. The rational zero theorem
  5. Logarithms
  6. Matrix arithmetic
  7. Basic trigonometry

Product Details:

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ McGraw Hill; 2nd edition (February 13, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 544 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0071778497
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.38 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.4 x 0.99 x 9.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars (445 ratings)   

FAQs on Best Precalculus Books

Q: What are the best Precalculus books?

Answer: Here is the list of the 12 best Precalculus textbooks.

1. Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus by James Stewart

2. Precalculus by Michael Sullivan

3. Precalculus by Abramson

4. Glencoe Precalculus by Mcgraw-Hill

5. Precalculus by Julie Miller

6. Art of Problem Solving Precalculus Textbook and Solutions Manual by Richard Rusczyk

7. Precalculus: Concepts Through Functions and Trigonometry by Michael Sullivan

8. Precalculus by Ron Larson

9. Trigonometry by Lial, Hornsby, Schneider, and Daniels

10. Precalculus by Robert Blitzer

11. Precalculus: A Self–Teaching Guide by Slavin and Crisonino

12. Pre-calculus Demystified by Rhonda Huettenmueller

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