Algebra and Trigonometry: Functions and Applications (Prentice Hall Classics) [Hardcover]

Paul A. Foerster (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1058 pages
• Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall (January 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131657100
• ISBN-13: 978-0131657106
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent High School Honors Algebra Text, July 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Rowlett, Texas US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Algebra & Trigonometry: Functions & Applications (Hardcover)

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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hmmm, quite a good book with only minimal faults, October 8, 2005

By 

Megan Anderson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Algebra and Trigonometry: Functions and Applications (Classic Edition) (Hardcover)

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, but slightly flawed, July 28, 2006

By 

corcan (LA, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Algebra and Trigonometry: Functions and Applications (Classic Edition) (Hardcover)

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.