Customer Reviews

COLLEGE ALGEBRA [2008 Second Edition]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was a new book that included an unopened CD but because the book was a 'Demo' the CD was unusable and I had to pay an additional $50 for the license. Something to check if you are a buyer.

I had to have this book for an online class for college. Its just basic college Algebra... Not terribly difficult. The problem is that the book and the software do not adequately explain important steps in solving a lot of problems. The video tutorials on how to solve types of problems are literally, "In this tutorial we will learn how to (fill in the blank). Here is our problem." Then it will show you what you should have at each step with no verbal or visual explanation how to perform each step. So for factoring, it would show a problem, and then show the problem factored out with no explanation as to how it works.
Another problem I had is that the software is VERY temperamental about how you input your answers. For complex polynomials, especially those found by using the quadratic formula, you can have worked out the answer and have it correct, then put it into the answer box using the cumbersome software and it say that it was wrong and not really explain why. Most of the time it is due to the terrible way you have to denote fractions and such. You can only use the keyboard to input numbers... all other signs and notation must be input using an onscreen mechanism that pops out and covers up the answer box so that you can't see what you are typing as you do it.
Basically, if you aren't already fairly confident using a lot of the concepts in this book or have a friend that can help you out a lot, I would drop this class and find one with a different book. I know how to do this stuff from AP Calculus in high school but did very poorly because of the software and had to drop the class.

This book is not a demo, I have no clue why andyone would think it was. I ordered it and it is exactly what my college wanted. If you are taking a college course with this book you will have to buy a access code reguardless of if it is an in-seat or on-line class. The access code is a way for Hawks to tell students apart.

So basically, I just wanted to say, this is not a "demo", and it comes with a companion CD that allows you to teach yourself (to some extent).

Over all though I would not recommend ever taking a math course that uses Hawks, the system is harder to use than the math is to do. All your answers you will submit online (reguardless of if it is an online or inseat class). Sometimes the system has a glitch and will not allow you to input the correct answer and you have to have your teacher manually go into the system and give you credit.
Over all, I wouldnt take this course again, but if you are, this is the material you are looking for.

I learned a good lesson...you need the CD's that go with the textbooks and the CDs can only be registered one time, by the original owner. So I still had to buy a license which was 65.00 so I guess all in all I got this used book for 70.99.

I take an Algebra course from an instructor that I cannot understand. Therefore, this book has been great to learn from. I understand the processes and it has helped me to lift my grade.

The book meets the requirements of my College course. It was one of the least expensive and meets the challenges that are set before me in my Algebra class.

The transaction waas even better than I thought it would be! Great buys on Amazon!