Customer Reviews

Algebra Demystified : A Self Teaching Guide (Demystified)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book has many great things inside of it, including step by step examples, however, not every topic is covered. For example, systems of linear equations isn't discussed inside of this title. Normal Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 classes use Linear Systems. The further you go in math, the more you use these systems. Without an understanding of them, you cannot solve certain problems.

Even though things like these are missing, it still helps those who need help with the basic algebra problems. Example, fractions, decimals, and other things. It can help in more advanced topics, such as quadratics. I highly suggest this book to those who want a better understanding of pre-algebra or early-year algebra. You can get a great understanding of variables, and more advanced things, however, nothing too advanced is covered.

If you are in Algebra 2, and you understand Algebra 1, do not purchase this book because it will not be useful to you.

I am a lawyer who did poorly in algebra in high school and has never tackled a math problem in three decades. SAT and LSAT exams were a challenge. Recently I decided to close this education gap and to try to teach myself algebra with the help of a guide as I do not have the time to enroll in a class. Huettenmueller's Algebra Demystified is just wonderful. Each chapter develops the topic in a logical progression of explanation--there are no giant leaps for the mathphobic. Each chapter has several problems worked out start to finish so if you made a mistake, you can self-correct. I especially like the practical application problems which make the subject come alive. Recently I took a business trip to the west coast, I spent the five hour flight happily engaged in doing problems. I am very grateful to the author of this book and have just ordered her pre calculus primer.

Overall, the book is very good - easy to read, good examples, lots of helpful problems, and multiple choice review tests at the end of each chapter. I'm using the book for review; I took algebra about 30 years ago and am going back to school this Fall.

My one not-so-minor complaint is the number of obvious mistakes in the problems/solutions. With better review/editing, they wouldn't be there.

For someone who has is not, and never has been good with algerbra, this book is the perfect tool. I used this book to help me pass a college algebra course recently. In fact, I got an A in the course. I would have failed it horribly had I not had this book to use as a reference from time to time. So, if you are going back to school, or about to take algebra courses for the first time, I seriously recommend this book. The material in this book is not as difficult as a college course would be, but all the basic concepts are explained along with tons and tons of examples to work out.

The strength of the book is in its simplicity. Every chapter takes a very small step towards forward from previous material. It goes slow enough, and there are enough examples, that all the basic concepts are actually easy to understand and quickly learned.

I am thinking of returning to school after a LONG absense and wanted to get started by reviewing Algebra. I found this book at the local library and was so impressed with it I bought it along with College Algebra Demystified and Pre-Calculus Demystified.

I followed the instructions in the Preface and have been very happy with my progress. Ms. Huettenmueller must really know her subject well because her explainations are very clear and concise. The exercises and chapter tests fit very well with the covered material.

I am really enjoying this book. In fact I have the Physics, Calculus, Astronomy books also. I find them very well explained. I am using these book as "self study" and find them very good for that purpose, It gets four stars because although it is very good, I am not a great fan of maths, but I am of science so refreshing my math skills is a necessity. The end of topic reviews and tests help you see how much knowledge you are gaining and what areas you need to focus on. I hope they continue with this series and expand to futher topics in the Science/math fields.

I bought this book in prep for a CLEP exam in College Algebra. After being out of school for 15 years I was a bit rusty in math. I tried using a college textbook but that was absolutely brutal! The lessons were so slow and convoluted! So I switched to this book and it was like a miracle. I flew through the book and really "got" all the concepts.

The best part about the book is the method. It is primarily example and practice problems, with solutions worked out so you can actually see how they are done.

I highly recommend - worth every penny!

A nice and easy-to-follow guide into basic algebra concepts. I would suggest it to anyone who needs to improve their numerical skills, as an intorductory book to more advanced topics, or simply as a reference for solving basic algebraic problems. For example, it would be useful to read this book (and do the exercises), if you are about to start college and you don't feel confident with numbers, or if you are on the job market (you will find here many of the solutions for the tasks you get on a typical numerical reasoning test). Very easy to follow - you are not left to figure out anything by yourself.

I loved this book and am only a couple of pages shy of finishing it. I learn visually and math textbooks never have enough examples for me to learn the concepts. This book, however, is far heavier with examples than with text. I hadn't had any type of math class for 13 years and was able to move through this book relatively easily. I will be purchasing College Algebra next and am happy that it was written by the same author.

I do problems in these books like some people do crossword puzzles. This particular book has such a perfect flow, it's almost like a machine. I loved it. I can't imagine anyone already familiar with pre-algebra material not being able to learn all of basic algebra by using this book.