» Practical Algebra: A Self-Teaching Guide, 2nd Edition

Practical Algebra: A Self-Teaching Guide, 2nd Edition Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: Tremendous Help
Comment: I'm 24 years old, and just started my college career. Since my ACT/SAT scores were too old, I was required to take assessment tests before I could be accepted back into school. In fear of not passing the math portion the first time, I bought this book. After a few weeks of studying, I took the test, and scored 119/120. I would highly recommend this book. It does a VERY good job of explaining things and breaking them down for the reader. It also allows you to learn at your own pace, and gives you a thorough understanding of things before moving on to the next lessons. HIGHLY recommend.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Nice try
Comment: It's not my intent to diminish the value of this book; however, in my experience using it, I am reminded that there still exists a huge void in Math and/or Algebra books that is yet to be filled. My conjecture is that "numbers people" (math professors, or those who just love math) are not in their element when they try to use language to explain how to solve math problems/ procedures. I think the authors of this book and authors of other Math books would serve the interests of their readers better if they operated from a "less is more" strategy. Namely: Present a subject; show a problem; solve the problem- and be DONE with it! A new student is burdened enough without verbose explanations.

Another improvement would be large font for number problems. It's a matter of balance: Less unnecessary words leaves room for larger font for the numbers.

It's also my observation that the value of a gifted professor teaching in person, will never be surpassed by authors attempting to use text to do the same thing. At least not in the subjects of Math and Algebra.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Comment: Right now I'm a mature student preparing for college and was in need of a major brush up on my algebra knowledge. I researched and researched throughout the libraries and couldn't find the right book to teach myself what I needed to know, thats until I went on amazon and found this book. I gotta tell ya this is by far the best book for anyone brushing up on there algebra like me or anyone who's new to it. This book explains everything you need to know in easy and understandable detail. I'm a slow learner when it comes to math but with this book I rarely had to go back and reread what I just read. Everything came to me so quick and I promise it will for you as well. Like it says in the name its practical and would be money well spent. Enjoy!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Passed My Placement Exam Because Of It!
Comment: This book is amazing. It teaches you everything you need to know about algebra. Seriously. I had to take a Math Placement Exam at my University to enter into College Algebra, and i was worried i wouldn't pass. So i went down to Barnes and Noble and picked this beauty up. Now, i'm not a math person; in fact, i hate math because it's always been my downfall in public education. It's never been easy for me and this book wasn't an exception. It wasn't fun for me working through this book, but i did it. For 3 weeks i slaved over this book and the results payed off tremendously. I passed the test and saved about $1,000 that i would have had to spend on a remedial class without any college credit. Thank you practical algebra! You saved me time, money, and humiliation.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Still Looks Good 29 years later...
Comment: I used the first edition of this text 29 years ago, as a 13 year old 8th grader teaching myself Algebra. This text allowed me to learn thoroughly and well, such that I was able to complete courses through Calculus while still in High School, and go on to be an engineer. My 13 year old daughter had trouble learning from her school's textbook, so I am breaking open this book again. It's step by step strategy of mastery is key to the overall success. Nothing forces you to move on until you can get all of the correct answers. I am so glad that it is still in print so that my daughter may have her own (not falling apart) copy of this excellent text.

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