Coordinate Geometry (Dover Books on Mathematics)

A thorough, complete, and unified introduction, this volume affords exceptional insights into coordinate geometry. It makes extensive use of determinants, but no previous knowledge is assumed; they are introduced from the beginning as a natural tool for coordinate geometry. Invariants of conic sections and quadric surfaces receive full treatments. Algebraic equations on the first degree in two and three unknowns are carefully reviewed and carried farther than is usual in algebra courses. Throughout the book, results are formulated precisely, with clearly stated theorems. More than 500 helpful exercises throughout the text incorporate — often in rather novel settings — each idea after its full and careful explanation. 1939 edition.