Customer Reviews

Precalculus (2nd Edition)

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

 

 

This review applies to all books written by Marvin Bittinger. I have used
his books on elementary algebra, college algebra, precalculus, and calculus. His writing is clear, concise, and always on the level of the
maturity of his audience. The examples are excellent and the problems are
suitable for each book. He doesn't "dumb down" the material nor is the
presentation overly rigorous. I wish he would right a full blown 1,000 -
1,200 page three semester text for calculus.

The author does a good job of providing appropriate graphics to aid in the student's comprehension, but the text is woefully lacking. My professor, thankfully, used the book only for the exercises, which are quite extensive. Whenever I had difficulty grasping an idea and referred to the text I became completely confused, so I began recording my class and playing it back for a clear explanation. I am the type of student who can learn on my own, but that could never happen with this book.

I just completed an accelerated precalculus I and II course this summer (the whole book in 8 weeks) and we used this textbook. Math was historically my weakest subject, but between this text and my instructor, I am finally "getting it" instead of just memorizing formulas for tests. The book promotes real understanding.

Our instructor followed the textbook closely in lectures, offering helpful supplemental guidance not possible from a book. He was able to do that because the book is well sequenced.

The text clearly and precisely explains each topic introduced. Precision is an acquired taste, but once you get used to it, it gets easier to follow. Following each new topic, the text provides a straightforward worked and annotated example. Each step is annotated, so the student can focus on learning the new material rather than getting hung up on recently learned material.

There is lots of helpful color coding that is nicely intuitive. When a new topic relies on previously introduced material, a cross reference is provided to make review faster.

The algebra sections seem more dense than the trig sections in C.6 - enjoy the lull but don't let that fool you into complacency. The intensity picks up again right away in the next chapter.

The exercises are good, and the solution manual and graphing calculator manual (both sold separately) is worth every penny if you want to be sure you understand the material. I bought the mathlab kit, but our class did not use it. Also, the book refers to worked examples on video but my instructor had no idea how to access them, nor did our library or student learning center - suggestion to publisher if you are reading this: make those easy for a student to access without relying on third parties. I would have loved to have used them, but they went to waste.

If you use this book, flip ahead and read the "Study Tips" in the margins throughout the book early in your class. They are helpful.

In summary, this book was excellent in my classroom experience.

I also think it would be suitable for a self-study learner - especially if you can gain access to the lecture videos that the text mentions.

Books arrived on time and in very good shape. They are the basis for both an Algebra II and Trig/PreCalculus course and fit both levels very well. An excellent product with excellent service at an excellent price!