Customer Reviews

Fundamentals of College Algebra (with CD-ROM, iLrn Tutorial, and InfoTrac)

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

 

 

I've just completed this book as part of a correspondence course. I found most of the explanations clear and to the point, but there were places in which the author lost me completely. Much of the theory, which should have clarified the topics under discussion, only gave me more reason to ask, "Why?" The solutions provided in the back of the book only covered the odd-numbered exercises, and there were absolutely no explanations. Techniques of solving problems is the very foundation of the course. I'd like to see more of this included in future editions.

This book explains the absolute bare minimum on how to do the problems. Every problem in a set is a curve-ball type, and with only the odd answers, you never feel like you get enough practice, other than re-doing each problem.

(side note)
The solutions manual is absolute garbage, the explanations dwell on the most obvious points, then gloss over things that actually need explanations.Unless you really know this stuff, you will need outside help. It's one of "those" manuals where it tells you the answer and how to start problems, but every solution will have you scratching your head thinking "how did they get from here to there?"

Only the odd problems are solved, so you're better off with just the crappy book, and hope you have a really good instructor.

using it for algebra class and its been helpful...i would recommend getting the solutions manual as well....

Yes, this book is great if you want to learn what's behind each equation. In fact the most important thing about this book is to remember these theories and reasons so that you can apply them to many problems. Nice for learning the rules and good examples that illustrate the main ideas.