Geometry Workbook For Dummies [Paperback]

Mark Ryan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 6, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0471799408 | ISBN-13: 978-0471799405 | Edition: 1

Geometry is one of the oldest mathematical subjects in history. Unfortunately, few geometry study guides offer clear explanations, causing many people to get tripped up or lost when trying to solve a proof—even when they know the terms and concepts like the back of their hand. However, this problem can be fixed with practice and some strategies for slicing through all the mumbo-jumbo and getting right to the heart of the proof.

Geometry Workbook For Dummies ensures that practice makes perfect, especially when problems are presented without the stiff, formal style that you’d find in your math textbook. Written with a commonsense, street-smart approach, this guide gives you the step-by-step process to solve each proof, along with tips, shortcuts, and mnemonic devices to make sure the solutions stick. It also gives you plenty of room to work out your solutions, providing you with space to breathe and a clear head. This book provides you with the tools you need to solve all types of geometry problems, including:

• Congruent triangles
• Finding the area, angle, and size of quadrilaterals
• Angle-arc theorems and formulas
• Touching radii and tangents
• Connecting radii and chords
• Parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines and planes
• Slope, distance, and midpoint formulas
• Line and circle equations
• Handling rotations, reflections, and other transformations

Packed with tons of strategies for solving proofs and a review of key concepts, Geometry Workbook For Dummies is the ultimate study aid for students, parents, and anyone with an interest in the field.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

From proofs to polygons — solve geometry problems with ease

Got a grasp on the terms and concepts you need to know, but get lost halfway through a problem or worse yet, not know where to begin? No fear — this hands-on guide focuses on helping you solve the many types of geometry problems you encounter in a focused, step-by-step manner. With just enough refresher explanations before each set of problems, you'll sharpen your skills and improve your performance. You'll see how to work with proofs, theorems, triangles, circles, formulas, 3-D figures, and more!

• 100s of Problems!

• Step-by-step answer sets clearly identify where you went wrong (or right) with a problem

• Get the inside scoop on geometry shortcuts and strategies

• Know where to begin and how to solve the most common problems

• Use geometry in practical applications with confidence

About the Author

Mark Ryan, a graduate of Brown University and the University of Wisconsin Law School, has been teaching math since 1989. He runs the Math Center in Winnetka, Illinois (www.themathcenter.com), where he teaches high school math courses including an introduction to geometry and a workshop for parents based on a program he developed, The 10 Habits of Highly Successful Math Students. In high school, he twice scored a perfect 800 on the math portion of the SAT, and he not only knows mathematics, he has a gift for explaining it in plain English. He practiced law for four years before deciding he should do something he enjoys and use his natural talent for mathematics. Ryan is a member of the Authors Guild and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Geometry Workbook For Dummies is Ryan’s fourth book. Everyday Math for Everyday Life was published in 2002, Calculus For Dummies (Wiley) in 2003, and Calculus Workbook For Dummies in 2005. His math books have sold over 100,000 copies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (November 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471799408
• ISBN-13: 978-0471799405
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A graduate of Brown University and the University of Wisconsin Law
School, Mark Ryan has been teaching math for over 12 years. He runs
the Math Center in Winnetka, Illinois, where he teaches high school
math courses and a workshop for parents based on his book, The 10
Habits of Highly Successful Math Students. In high school, he twice
scored a perfect 800 on the math portion of the SAT, and he not only
knows mathematics, he has a gift for explaining it in plain
English. You'll enjoy his down-to-earth style, his humor, and his many
useful math tips and shortcuts that will enable you to DO THE MATH. A
tournament backgammon player and an avid skier and tennis player, he
lives in Chicago.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to geometry with a few weaknesses, September 28, 2009

By 

C. Martin (Pensacola, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geometry Workbook For Dummies (Paperback)

"Geometry Workbook For Dummies" has two types of chapters. One type helps you construct geometric proofs and the other type has you solve geometric problems using algebra.

Most of the chapters that focus on proofs are very good. The only exception is Chapter 7 on similarity. That chapter presents very weak examples on how to prove similarity and use similarity in proofs. The author never really develops the notion of similarity with respect to how it is used in proofs. The author informs the reader that there are three ways to prove triangle similarity: AA, SAS~, and SSS~. Unfortunately, the author only demonstrates how to use AA to prove similarity.

Throughout most of the book the author is very good about being consistent in his use of theorems and definitions in proving two-column proofs. However, in chapter 7 problem #9 the author gives the reader a two-column proof but then solves it in a way that can best be described as hand-waving or cheating. Mathematically he is correct but the point is that the reader is supposed to learn how to prove things axiomatically. Not side step using definitions and theorems because it might take awhile. (He admits in step-2 of the solution that he is taking a short-cut because doing the problem properly would take too long.)

Other than the weakness of chapter 7, I would say that this is a pretty good introduction to geometry. It would also make a good supplement to a geometry course.

As a side note, the author has another book called "Geometry for Dummies". Don't buy that book. It has virtually the same text minus the problems for the reader to work out.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, December 22, 2006

By 

A. Webb "A. Webb" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Geometry Workbook For Dummies (Paperback)

Simple and easy to follow - a great book to work through if you need to learn proofs. Excellent book to help you prepare for the CSET single subject mathematics exam!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Geometry Workbook for Dummies, January 23, 2009

By 

Mary T Hyde (Marietta, Ga United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geometry Workbook For Dummies (Paperback)

I'm a home educator who is always looking for good curriculum. I am currently using "Geometry for Dummies" as well as a version of Euclid's Elements, but my kids were still having difficulty with proofs in general. Initially, I bought this book for the mixture of problems and proofs, but the layout of information (Postulates, Properties and Theorems) is easier for my kids to grasp too. Very well-arranged and a great addition to the other books I am using.