Customer Rating: 
Summary: Lots of help for final exam
Comment: I got this about a week before my final exam for algebra 101 (college prep). It was a lot of help and I got an "A" on my final. It spells things out really well and gives lots of examples. PLus outlines all of the rules very easily. Easy reading too!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Setting Expectations is Key . . .
Comment: note: The "..." in the title are an algebra pun! ;O)
When I hear or read a book title that includes the phrase, "for Dummies", I easily pull together the concepts that this book is not likely a foundational text for building one's doctorate upon, and that there might very well be some non-standard methodology in its construct. How is it possible to mistake a book titled, "Algebra for Dummies" as something other than that?!?
In any event, had my high school algebra teacher(s) approached the subject in this vein, I would have never developed a fear of the subject, and by now, my adult income would [approximate] be about quadruple what it is/was/has been. It took more than twenty years and three math-gifted offspring to discover that I have an aptitude for algebra, but was too afraid to pursue it. I have successfully and convincingly discussed 4-plane time and space theory with literal rocket scientists - naturally figured how to solve for a proportional unknown, blah-blah-blah. In other words, I had the goods, but was delusional about being any good at it.
I say this to point out that most everyone that lives in fear of "higher mathematics" need not do so. That most all those folks could be and would be hysterically excited to discover that their understanding of math is there, just waiting to be coaxed along a bit.
The author's assertion that the knowledge of algebra is power is not far off the mark, if off at all. Even if you never use it (although you will, or will have the opportunity to do so), the provable fact that you are not a math retard after all is worth considerably more than this book costs. That you will be able to pursue algebraic exploits without fear is just gravy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Read this review before purchasing this book.
Comment: I am returning to college after a 12 year hiatus. I recently purchased this book to re-learn algebra for my placement test. PLEASE KNOW THAT THIS BOOK IS ONLY HELPFUL AS A REFRESHER IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY FINISHED AN ALGEBRA I COURSE. This book is full of information which is why I purchased it. But if you need to re-learn algebra it is just too much information to absorb, and is not presented in an easy to understand step by step process. I ended up returning the book for this reason.
Customer Rating:
Summary: a Horror story
Comment: The book was all that it was supposed to be. My problem was that it didn't come when it was supposed to and then it had to be shipped to my second address.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not for Dummies
Comment: Now if I were a dummy, and in many ways I am, I would be furious with this book. It doesn't mention until page 4 that the author assumes you've already had a year of algebra. What if I hadn't? What if I was picking up this book because I wanted to learn algebra from scratch? Most anyone would naturally assume that's what this book is for. But right away you'd be lost. Even the "fun facts" would make me heave this thing out the window. Info about "three-term quadratic equations" is a fun fact? Not if you're a compleat dummy and you haven't the foggiest what this woman is talking about. The 2 stars are generous. It's not too bad for an overview of something you already know and merely want to to remember. Thank my stars I do know algebra, but damn...dummies beware.
Summary: Lots of help for final exam
Comment: I got this about a week before my final exam for algebra 101 (college prep). It was a lot of help and I got an "A" on my final. It spells things out really well and gives lots of examples. PLus outlines all of the rules very easily. Easy reading too!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Setting Expectations is Key . . .
Comment: note: The "..." in the title are an algebra pun! ;O)
When I hear or read a book title that includes the phrase, "for Dummies", I easily pull together the concepts that this book is not likely a foundational text for building one's doctorate upon, and that there might very well be some non-standard methodology in its construct. How is it possible to mistake a book titled, "Algebra for Dummies" as something other than that?!?
In any event, had my high school algebra teacher(s) approached the subject in this vein, I would have never developed a fear of the subject, and by now, my adult income would [approximate] be about quadruple what it is/was/has been. It took more than twenty years and three math-gifted offspring to discover that I have an aptitude for algebra, but was too afraid to pursue it. I have successfully and convincingly discussed 4-plane time and space theory with literal rocket scientists - naturally figured how to solve for a proportional unknown, blah-blah-blah. In other words, I had the goods, but was delusional about being any good at it.
I say this to point out that most everyone that lives in fear of "higher mathematics" need not do so. That most all those folks could be and would be hysterically excited to discover that their understanding of math is there, just waiting to be coaxed along a bit.
The author's assertion that the knowledge of algebra is power is not far off the mark, if off at all. Even if you never use it (although you will, or will have the opportunity to do so), the provable fact that you are not a math retard after all is worth considerably more than this book costs. That you will be able to pursue algebraic exploits without fear is just gravy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Read this review before purchasing this book.
Comment: I am returning to college after a 12 year hiatus. I recently purchased this book to re-learn algebra for my placement test. PLEASE KNOW THAT THIS BOOK IS ONLY HELPFUL AS A REFRESHER IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY FINISHED AN ALGEBRA I COURSE. This book is full of information which is why I purchased it. But if you need to re-learn algebra it is just too much information to absorb, and is not presented in an easy to understand step by step process. I ended up returning the book for this reason.
Customer Rating:
Summary: a Horror story
Comment: The book was all that it was supposed to be. My problem was that it didn't come when it was supposed to and then it had to be shipped to my second address.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not for Dummies
Comment: Now if I were a dummy, and in many ways I am, I would be furious with this book. It doesn't mention until page 4 that the author assumes you've already had a year of algebra. What if I hadn't? What if I was picking up this book because I wanted to learn algebra from scratch? Most anyone would naturally assume that's what this book is for. But right away you'd be lost. Even the "fun facts" would make me heave this thing out the window. Info about "three-term quadratic equations" is a fun fact? Not if you're a compleat dummy and you haven't the foggiest what this woman is talking about. The 2 stars are generous. It's not too bad for an overview of something you already know and merely want to to remember. Thank my stars I do know algebra, but damn...dummies beware.