Customer Reviews

Master the AP Calculus AB & BC, 1st edition (Peterson's AP Calculus AB & BC)

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

 

 

As a calculus teacher, I have referenced most of the AP Prep books at the bookstores. I came across this book last summer (2005), and I was impressed.

Several things immediately separate this book from the typical AP Exam prep book. First, the author has a personality. His sense of humor is apparent in both the introductory sections and in the topical explanations. Also, the author includes technology explanations (TI-83/84 commands) at the end of each section, which have some calculator activities and recommended uses of the calculator on each section. Considering the A.P. Exam is 50% calculator, I am surprised the other prep books generally do not include technology sections.

The overall presentation of the topics is almost how you would expect an experienced high school teacher to introduce and explain each of the topics. The exercises seem to be well-chosen with answers and explanations immediately following the exercises.

I would recommend this book as a great reference for both during the time you take the A.P. Calculus AB or BC courses and as an aide during those last few months of independent studying and preparation for the exam in May. I don't think this book can replace the course itself; however, if you need a different perspective on a topic, or if you need help with using your TI graphing calculator, this book is worth it.

The book explains each topic well. It includes good examples and practices for each topic. Yet it is well organized and concise for AP test review too.

The book used to be published by Arco under the name "Master the AP Calculus AB&BC Tests 2003". There are additional reviews under the Arco book.

Hi. I'm an actual AP Calc BC student, who is going to take the exam in May. I encountered several problems with this book. Yes, it is comprehensive and a person who does use this book will socre pretty high. The lack of details and corny jokes are the things that make this book such a low quality book. The author doesn't seem to understand the difference between a raised to the x (a^x, exponential) and ax (a constant times x, a variable). He mixes these up or assumes you know what hes talking about. B/c of this, I constantly did not get answers correct for a question like: find the derivative of 5xsinx. He meant 5^xsinx, but there is no clarification. If this happened only two times I would be content and fine, but this happens through out the book. Another thing that bugs me is the constant jokes and the "its okay, AP Calc is hard...that is why you are using this book to help you" statements. This author tries WAY too hard to be funny and it gets pretty annoying. For example, "If asked to find the derivative of f(x)=sinx + cosx, you should have no trouble by now. You wouldn't need to furrow your brow and scratch your chin like a gorilla trying to determine how to file its federal tax return" (134). He obiviously doesn't understand teenage sense of humor or is reaching out to AP Calculus nerds like himself. I need to find another AP Calculus book immediately because this author does not satisfy my stressed out needs.

This book has been reprinted with a different title. It has returned to its original name: Master the AP Calculus AB and BC Exams. I would suggest the reviewer who rated it as 1-star because he couldn't buy it to avoid penalizing the book and its author with such rash reviews when a bit of research would have shown the title is out of print.

Individual reviews are meant for the title only, and are not license to air your personal frustrations about shopping for something that is no longer available.

I was invited by Amazon to review this book, for reasons I cannot comprehend. I ordered it for my daughter, who is taking AP Calculus, back in September. I received several requests to authorize delays in delivery, and several times I did so, but I ultimately canceled the order when it became apparent that the book wasn't going to be available in time to help my daughter. I next attempted to order it at Barnes and Noble. Initially the order went through, but then I was notified that the book was not in stock and likely would not be any time soon. After that, I went to a brick-and-mortar B&N, where I learned they were unable to obtain the book for me. Currently, the Amazon Marketplace sellers have a grand total of one of these books available, and it's selling for $299.99. I guess it must be one whale of an AP calculus prep book for that price, but you couldn't prove it by me. As to why Amazon would invite me to review a book I never received, your guess is as good as mine!