Beginning and Intermediate Algebra: An Integrated Approach [Hardcover]

R. David Gustafson (Author), Peter D. Frisk (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0495117935 | ISBN-13: 978-0495117933 | Publication Date: January 5, 2007 | Edition: 5

Get the grade you want in algebra with Gustafson and Frisk's BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA! Written with you in mind, the authors provide clear, no-nonsense explanations that will help you learn difficult concepts with ease. Prepare for exams with numerous resources located online and throughout the text such as online tutoring, Chapter Summaries, Self-Checks, Getting Ready exercises, and Vocabulary and Concept problems. Use this text, and you'll learn solid mathematical skills that will help you both in future mathematical courses and in real life!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[The primary feature which prompted the adoption was] the quality of writing."

". . . there seems to be a good progression from easy to difficult problems with the greatest quantity in moderate to difficult. This is desirable. The vast majority of the systems have independent equations, which is also appropriate. Inconsistent systems and systems of dependent equations, however, are appropriately represented. The problems are fairly well balanced between those that involve fractions or have fractional solutions and those that are strictly integer based. This again is very good as excessive use of integer problems is usually a common problem in developmental texts. Good job on this! Finally, the problems appear to be exceptionally balanced on their distribution by the characteristics emphasized in each of the examples."

"There is a good variety of problems with varying difficulty levels. Most answers come out nicely yet there are sufficient numbers of problems where a student gets no solution, infinitely many solutions, and fractional answers. I liked the fill in the blank questions and explanation problems, also."

About the Author

BA and MAT from Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1008 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 5 edition (January 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0495117935
• ISBN-13: 978-0495117933
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible Book! Lial Hornsby Much Better., February 13, 2011

By 

J. Lewis (Southfield, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra: An Integrated Approach (Hardcover)

I'm a returning student 16 years after undergrad. My major is economics. I love math but hate this book (and hate is a strong word!). If I didn't know any better, I would think that I could not be any good at math because this book, for all of it's pages -and price, fails to explain the topics it covers. If you do not have an instructor who's great at explaining intermediate algebra concepts and the mathematics behind the concepts... you will be lost with this book. I want to understand each concept and move on. I like a mathematics book that anticipates questions and one that I can pick up any day of the week to brush up on a concept. This is NOT the text for that.
Why, why, why so many colleges use this expensively useless text is beyond me! I have purchased Lial, Hornsby & McGinnis' "Beginning and Intermediate" Algebra 4th edition -there may be a more recent version- (ISBN: 0321-4423304) to explain what this book fails to explain. If you're registering for an algebra class and see this text as the requirement... make sure you have an excellent instructor or access to a good tutor.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where's the Errata, June 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra with Graphing Calculators: An Integrated Approach (Paperback)

The content of the book is ok. But if you are unfamiliar with the subject and need the answers in the back of the book to check your work, you will just end up frustrated and confused. So far I estimate 30% of the answers in the back of the book are wrong and there is no errata listed for the book from the publisher.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible, February 3, 2011

By 

Napalm - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra: An Integrated Approach (Hardcover)

This math book is terrible. It's a pity my school required it. Aside from having to buy this because of a class requirement and unless you already know your stuff, this math book isn't going to do you any good. The layout is poor and the explanations of the problems are not nearly as thorough as they need to be. Many sections will leave you in the dark about solving problems by skipping steps that should be further explained or have some kind of a reminder or SOMETHING if it was mentioned in previous chapters.

This math book was required for 098 and 100 math at my school. The learning curve in this book for 098 level math is extremely steep to be "high school level". Ironically, the math 100 equivalent learning curve is much simpler.

Unless you absolutely have to buy this book, don't buy it.