Three components contribute to a theme sustained throughout the Coburn/Herdlick Graphs and Models series: that of laying a firm foundation, building a solid framework, and providing strong connections. In the Graphs and Models texts, the authors combine their depth of experience with the conversational style and the wealth of applications that the Coburn/Herdlick texts have become known for. By combining a graphical approach to problem solving with algebraic methods, students learn how to relate their mathematical knowledge to the outside world.