Customer Reviews

Algebra For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

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.

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.

Definitely not a book for someone going back to the beginning after a long lapse in math instruction. Book assumes prior knowledge/memory of various algebraic concepts and therefore does not provide information from a foundation upon which to build a full understanding of subject matter. An actual algebraic workbook is more informative.

Ok, I see a LOT of people complaining that this was TOO advanced and that it assumed you knew a little bit of algebra....... NO KIDDING!!!! That's why there's a book called "Basic Math and PRE-Algebra for Dummies!" This book is by NO means meant for someone that has NO/LITTLE prior knowledge of algebra! If you need to start from the bottom and work up, you start with the PRE-ALGERBA book! (Apparently those people that are harping on this book really ARE dummies since they didn't know this!!!)

Anyways. I hated math in high school. I stopped taking it right around the time I was suppose to be in Algebra II, I have no idea how I ever passed in high school. I put it off once I got to college. My first year, I tested into BASIC algebra! (Which is Pre-Algebra level if you're in high school)..... I passed that with a C, thank goodness. But when I wanted to go to a major university I had to take a placement test to see what math I should be in. Well, I didn't want to have to take anymore PRE levels, I just wanted to get into college algebra and get it over with without having to take any other lower level classes.

I used this book to study up right before the placement test. I read the whole thing, did examples, and actually managed to UNDERSTAND everything...... (which in math is hard for me)..... I managed to pass the placement test so that I could take college algebra.....

So for those of you who can remember things from PRE-ALGEBRA, use this as a tool to freshen up your algebra skills..... if you have NO memory of algebra whatsoever, do NOT use this book first! Use the Pre-Algebra book first!

I really hate to rate this book this low but if you are someone who really struggles with Algebra in all honesty I feel that this book would not be for you. I guess I expected more details and problems to work with but not so. I will be looking for something else!!!!!

This book is not for beginners. It assumes you've had at least a year of algebra education.

If you had taken algebra a few years ago and need a refresher for your GED or ASVAB, this book will be fine.

If you have never taken algebra, or like me, took it 20 years ago and have forgotten most or all of it, this book is almost useless.

at best you get a short paragraph on the theory of the problem to solve, then you get the answer. very seldom do you get a breakdown of the indvidual steps that took you from problem to conclusion. this is the first "Dummies" book which I have ever thrown across a room.

This book does have problems, the lack of exercises being a major one, but it isn't totally useless. It does explain some fundamentals of algebra in very easy to understand language and contains simple examples. I found this good for getting the basics down. I started with "Algebra The Easy Way", but found that it would give simple examples and overly difficult exercises, which only succeeded in frustrating me.
I would suggest Algebra for Dummies as an absolute beginners book which should be used along with a slightly more advanced text with exercises. One can always make up his/her own exercises as well.
Remember, this is a "Dummies" book. How much can you really expect?

Even though there are a lot of pages in this book, the number of concepts covered is extremely small. This would be better titled "Pre-Algebra for Dummies"; in fact, you'd be hard pressed to pass an Algebra I class with the material covered in this text. While it is friendly, there are other friendly books that cover a wider breadth of material. I cannot recommend this book.

I had gone back to college and had not been in an algebra class in about 16 years...this book helped me tremendously! The book is very easy to follow and I found it short and to the point.