Customer Reviews

Algebra & Trigonometry: Functions & Applications

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I used this text in 9th Grade Honors Algebra and found that It is one of the best Algreba texts written. I used Mr. Foerster's Basic Algebra book in 8th grade. His explaniation of the topics were very clear and to the point. His exercises make you think and learn. You could learn Algebra without a teacher with this book. I do not think you could find a better Algebra/Basic Trig text.

I found this algebra/trig. book to be very satisfactory, with only a few things I'd change about it. The word problems found in the last section of each chapter offer the right level of difficulty, interesting situations, and the character's names are often quite funny (ex. Butch Err's feedlot, Ripov's Insurance Co., Sue Flay and Cassa Roll's hamburger stand, etc). For many of the problems that involve graphing, the answer at the back simply says (graph). It would be a lot more helpful if the graph was provided, especially if the back of the book is the only means to check homework. This gets a little frustrating sometimes.

I have recently completed a fourteen-week self-study of this entire book, in preparation for an Engineering major.

I found the book very helpful; determinates, f of x terminology, and quadratic functions were explained in an easy to understand manner. Another thing I found helpful was the inclusion of "real world" problems that could be solved using the teachings in this book. Problems in business, biology, nuclear fission, rocket trajectory, etc. are presented and can be solved by the student. Such questions seem to be designed to introduce medical/engineering hopefuls to what they'll encounter in the years ahead.

Furthermore, the trigonometry section is only three chapters long, which I think is very wise of the author; as most 700-page trigonometry tomes are usually overwhelming to students and contain nonsense about determining the heights of flagpoles, which a future doctor or physicist does not need to know by heart!
A determined student can master the essential trigonometric functions in under a month, and this book can serve that purpose.

My only complaints are that some topics are explained in vague ways; I found myself writing my own expositions in the margins. Also, only the odd-numbered questions (1, 3, 5, etc.) are answered in the answer section. This provides less incentive to complete all the questions posed, because mistakes that are made on even-numbered questions will go unnoticed unless the student is extremely thorough in checking.

Despite these drawbacks, I recommend careful study of this book to those students who wish to enter the sciences...but make sure you have someone you can consult with because here and there the book may confuse you.

This is a good book. My son used this for his accelerated Algebra course. I bought a copy so I could consult with him while I was travelling. The examples are pretty clear, although they could have had an extra step here and there. I liked the format, and the step-by-step approach throughout each chapter to neet the ultimate goal of each chapter.

I remember using an old edition of this book in high school back in 1993. It made such an impression on me that I still remembered the authors name.This is truly a standout text, just like Thomas Finney Calculus, Klepner Kolencow Mechanics, and a handful of others I would recomend it to anyone!

This book was used for my 9th grade Algebra II Honors class. Paul A. Foerster uses examples that are connected to the real world, and, at times has made mathematics fun

This text is well laid out and the concepts are thoroughly explained. I received several recommendations from
math teachers that this text was the perfect college prep text. I am looking forward to using it in the upcoming school year. The Classic Edition is supposed to be the best.

I bought this book as a backup for the one we use in school. The book itself is good with explaining most concepts, but not always clear. Overall, I would suggest this book.

I bought this book to use as a "home copy" for my son's algebra II class. It is a hefty textbook and his school chooses not to buy a class room set. He already has his backpack stuffed to the gills, so for a small sum I lightened his load.