Painless Algebra (Painless Series) (Barron's Painless Series) [Paperback]

Lynette Long Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1998 | Series: Barron's Painless Series

For students who break out in a cold sweat at the mention of any math subject, Painless Algebra is a way to relax and learn without pain. The author's approach eliminates confusion by taking math details one at a time and transforming algebra into a subject everybody can master--and even enjoy! Painless Algebra is an ideal self-teaching text for middle-school students who need more help than they're getting in the classroom. It also makes fine preparation for those taking SAT, ACT and other tests where questions include math problems. A user-friendly introductory chapter gives meanings in simple English for algebraic terms, instructs on the correct order of operations when solving a problem, and outlines numbers properties and systems. Following chapters cover integers, equations with one variable, inequalities, systems of equations, exponents, roots and radicals, and quadratic equations. Each chapter contains fun-to-solve "brain tickler" problems, with answers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)
Really. This won't hurt at all . . .
The thought of having to learn algebra
once turned brave students into cowards . . . but no more!

THE PAIN VANISHES WHEN YOU TRANSFORM ALGEBRA PROBLEMS INTO FUN--

Learn how to solve fun number puzzles by using simple rules of algebra

See how understanding algebra will help you figure out practical problems in everyday life

Discover painless methods for understanding and graphing equations

Test your learning progress with fun quizzes and "Brain Ticklers"

And take advantage of Barron's FREE Painless Algebra app

FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

(back cover)
PAINLESS
Algebra
Second Edition

Really. This isn't going to hurt at all . . .

If you break out in a cold sweat at the very mention of algebra, this book will show you how to relax and master the subject without pain. The problems you now consider confusing are taken slowly, step by step. Simply follow the painless steps and soon you'll wonder why you were ever confused in the first place! You start with integers, progress to simple equations with one variable, then move forward to gain a clear understanding of inequalities, systems of equations, exponents, and roots and radicals. Finally, you graduate to mastery of quadratic equations. Along the way, you'll find fun-to-solve "brain tickler" problems in every chapter. Each "brain tickler" comes with an answer, but before you knot it, you'll be figuring out all the answers for yourself.

For Middle School and High School Students --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764106767
• ISBN-13: 978-0764106767
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,063,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynette Long has an M.S. in mathematics and a Ph.D. in psychology. She has taught math and was a professor of education, specializing in mathematics education. She is the author of several children's math books, including Dazzling Division and Marvelous Multiplication, both published by Wiley.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm going back to college because of this book!, June 26, 2001

By 

Carol Alaniz (near Detroit, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painless Algebra (Painless Series) (Barron's Painless Series) (Paperback)

In '93, I withdrew from college because I could not pass pre-algebra. I never took algebra in high school, so I was lost in my college pre-algebra class by the second week. My professor told me to withdraw in order to save my GPA which was quite high.

Fast forward to 2001. I bought this book and it really opened my eyes! I can see where I made my mistakes in class and I can understand the concepts that my prof. and a tutor could not get me to understand. Everything seems so simple now--some of my past mistakes were very simple ones!

This book is real easy to understand. The book breaks down each concept and the problems are broken down step by step so it's real easy to see what you have to do. It took me only a half-hour to memorize the Order of Operations and apply that to the problems. If you use this in tandem with a book you have for a class, it will make things really easy. The books takes you from the beginning (what a variable is) all the way to graphing two dimensions on a graphing table.

My husband who was a math whiz in school looked at this book and said it's an Algebra 1 book. I'm hoping to understand the concepts thoroughly so I can take a Pre-Algebra placement test and pass for credit.

The only negative things I have to say are that there aren't enough problems to work on. And, my husband said it was a shame that there was only ONE problem (at the end of the book) that shows graphing in three dimensions. He said since the author put that in, she should have continued on with more problems for that concept, or she should have left it out.

I'm just so happy about the fact that I can finally understand Algebra! It's like a lightbulb went off in my head. Now, I'm going back to college to finish my degree!

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Algebra Made Really Clear!, February 19, 2000

By 

A. Cooper "possum" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painless Algebra (Painless Series) (Barron's Painless Series) (Paperback)

What a wonderful book! While it does not have as many exercises as some of the bigger books, it does a great job of making algebra clear and easy. There were some sections of algebra that other books left me feeling confused about; Painless Algebra cleared up my questions right away, and I was surprised at how quickly I understood it! I just wish there was a Painless Geometry, Painless Trig, Painless Calculus... That's a hint to the author! :)

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I Get It!, November 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Painless Algebra (Painless Series) (Barron's Painless Series) (Paperback)

Time to go back to college. Math was never my strongest subject. In fact it was my weakest. I had forgotten almost everything I learned in Algebra.
I tried two books that claimed to make algebra a breeze. Promises. Promises.
Then I bought PAINLESS ALGEBRA for a mere $8.95 and was pleased to find clear step by step explainations. Explanations that didn't require three readings before they made sense.
I think the best way to approach the book is by reviewing the previous chapter before you begin a new chapter.
A minor complaint: Too few exercises, as is the case with most of these types of books. But you can always find a workbook that will have problems for you to work out and the answers.
Being mathematically challenged I recommend this book.