Customer Reviews

Maran Illustrated Effortless Algebra

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You are probably checking out these reviews because either you want to refine your algebra skills, or perhaps you never had strong algebra skills to begin with. Personally my algebra skills were never up to par so I picked this book up. It's a bit embarrassing because I'm a software developer and most people when they think of developers they think of computer geeks with good math skills. Unfortunately I've never had good math skills. Well I'm sick of being mathematically illiterate so I picked this book up.

This book is great. I have always been intimidated by algebra but this book really helped me get over that. This book starts very simple and works it's way up to more difficult concepts. You first learn about adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing possitive and negative numbers. Then you begin to slowly move towards working with variables, fractions and equations. Then you really start to move into the meat of algebra by learning about graphing linear equations, linear inequalities, polynomials and you work up from there. Don't worry if some of these terms are unfamiliar, the book presents them in a way that sticks. I am actually enjoying working through this book.

The layout of this book is spectacular. it's nice and colorful. The author describes the topic on the top of the page, gives a few examples and then provides tips on the bottom of the page. It's a layout that really worked well for me. The colors help keep this book from being boring to look at. The author also makes a few jokes throughout his writing which helps the reading from becoming boring. It's really an awesome layout.

This is definitely a book for those who possess very little algebra skills. Although you dive through most of the algebra basics, the problems never seem too daunting which is excellent if that's what you're looking for. I am actually enjoying math now, which may sound geeky but it's true. I look forward to moving on to more complex algebra books and then moving on to more complex math, such as calculus. This book was a great first step, and I highly recommend it.

This book will walk you through the basics of algebra in no time at all. the graphics are excellent , subjects are presented well ,and the pages well laid out and comortable to read.

The Algebra in here is not very advanced but it helps you learn the fundamentals and makes it stick with you. This would make an excellent high school algebra text. The ease in the way you will advance through this book will amaze you.

There are problems in every chapter and solutions given at the end of the book.

Wish I would have had this book in high school and I hope that they come out with a Calculus and Trig book soon, I'll buy them right away !

Enjoy the book

The folk at Maran do beautiful books. This one is no exception. It is intended for the beginner to get started quickly.

What makes the Maran books so good is the quality of the graphics they incorporate as part of their philosophy. The pages in their books look good, they are easy to follow, the text that goes with the graphics is excellent and ties in exactly with the illustration. I imagine they were designed together.

For this particular book, the Maran's have teamed up with Alistair Savage as a technical consultant to be sure that everything they say is correct. Dr. Savage is a professor in the Department of Mathematics adt the University of Toronto. The information from Dr. Savage is then merged with the graphical format for which Maran is famous.

Conclusion, Beginners level, but probably the best Beginners level book available. Why couldn't my old high school books have been written this well?

I failed Algebra 2x in high school and never caught up (I have a BA in English but until this book had zero real math skills.) It seemed hopeless, but I've never been able to find a pleasant, easy teaching book like this one before. This book is a MIRACLE. I am almost finished with the book and really enjoy getting to do algebra every day (a crazed statement). If only they did a calculus book....!

This is a wonderfulli ilustarted and enlightening book to re-learn algebra from. Highly reccomend. The illustrations are superb and it takes you step by step of working out a problem.

I found this book in our public library and have loved every minute using it. The topics are simply explained, not verbose, not complicated, and the examples are incredibly easy to follow. Each topic is organized across two pages that never need flipping back-and-forth from page to page and divided into smaller 'compartments' of information. The format is unique and works. The problems for each topic become gradually harder but then return to a simpler form building confidence. The excercises after each chapter are just challenging enough. I can't rave about this book enough. In fact, I am ordering a copy now just to keep one around the house for the practice problems. The only 'con' is I wish there were more practice problems, but I can find those online for free.

This book is excellent in teaching Algebra, from the very beginning stages. If you havn't been to school in a while, this is a very beneficial choice. I used this book for the COMPASS test preparation exam and basically taught myself Algebra. Everyone can learn Algebra!

I love this item the illustrations really make you understand the algebric cincept better, great item well worth the price.

This book "dumbs down" the process of understanding Algebra. Coming from a time when we didn't learn Algebra in high school, this makes it so much easier to understand. Of all the books I have, I refer to this one the most.
The seller was great to get it to me in a very short time

this is one of the best study guides that I've seen in a while, and illistrated very well.