Stewart Precalculus or Blitzer's Precalculus

[greenneub]

Hey guys, just a quick question. I've just gone back to university and I'm going to be taking the Intro to Calculus course in the summer. But it has been 8 years since I did Precalculus, so I was thinking of picking up a textbook to review on my own. I went to the "Best Textbook Thread" and came across Blitzer's book. Does anyone know if Blitzer's book is heavily graphing calculator based? I've never learned precal with a graphing calculator, and they're not allowed in the first year Calculus course I'm going to be taking, so I don't see the point of picking up a text that relies on one.
Also, after scanning through the websites of several Canadian universities, quite a few of them seem to use James Stewart's Precalculus for Mathematics textbook for their adult learning/continuing education/high school credit courses. Does anyone know if Stewart's Precalculus book is any good? Especially in comparison to Blitzer's? Thanks everyone.

 

[Howers]

Stewart's is really good I hear, so is Schaums Guide to precalc.

I would look for something more rigorous/theoretical, I don't know anything about Blitzer sorry.

 

[kuahji]

I've never used Stewart's Precalculus but I've used Blitzer's & loved it. Not really sure what else to say, it came with a CD where the instructor works out problems. Which was really helpful. As for graphing calculator based, well no not really. You can use one to solve problems, but you'll run into problems if you try to solve them solely on a graphing calculator (like if there is a hole & doesn't show up). The text does show how to use a graphing calculator with the work.