Customer Reviews

Precalculus

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Hi! I am a math teacher in Malaysia. For your information we have
Precalculus texts written in our own native language which has
about 200 pages. I have been searching for some American
preCalculus texts which are short. When I find this title by
Faires I acquired a copy and see that it has about 400 pages. Our
texts cover most topics in Algebra & Trigonometry because we have
a different syllabus where we don't make use of a graphing
calculator, naturally our math texts look short and lean.

I have given this Faires PreCalculus text 5 stars for many
reasons. First, it is a short book about 400 pages (which most
other Precalculus texts have more then 800 pages). That means
American students will find it light enough to carry around.
Second, it covers topics which are only necessary as preparation
for Calculus. Third, students who are already familiar with
Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra can skip materials
that would be repetitive and can concentrate more time on what
truely are materials for success in future Calculus/Advanced Math
courses. This book tells what to learn and master thoroughly.

As for other standard PreCalculus texts, they cover most topics
in College Alegebra & Trigonometry, which includes partial
fractions and trigonometric identity like sin A + sin B =
2sin(1/2)(A+B)cos(1/2)(A-B). This Faires Precalculus text has no
topic on partial fractions, as though instructors who choose to
adopt this text would prefer not to spend time on this yet,
postponing this topic until students encounter techniques of
intergration in Calculus. I see why more time should be spent on
PreCalulus learning how to manipulate algebraic expressions
dealing with inequalities and absolute values, which are very
much needed in understanding the concepts of Limits in Calculus
and finding zeros of complicated polynomials are that important
in determining minimum and maximum values...etc.

The pro is. when this Faires text is adopted. students are
guided to where they are heading to unsure success in Calculus
(the reason for a Precalculus course). The con is, there wiil be
students of intermediate level who will miss many topics as found
in other standard PreCalculus texts, as though they will never be
taught, for example, how the identity "sin A + sin B" works. You
gonna miss many interesting topics in College Alegebra &
Trigonometry, it is that when you spend most of your time on
selected topics. If your instructor adopts this book, then you
need to have a companion book like Dugopolski's Precalculus text
(which you need to buy extra to know ALL of Precalculus Alegebra
Trigonometry topics). This is because Faires PreCalculus covers
just the essentials that FOCUS ON SKILLS you need to succeed in
Calculus.

My suggestion is, if your instructor adopts other standard
PreCalculus text, buy this text as a helper. It really can help
you to gain much confidence in choosing what to expect and spend
more time on necessary topics. But, if your instructor adopts
this text, and you seem worried that this is a DIFFICULT text,
then do get a helper ( other text, because its actually wise to
learn by referring to many texts just in any learning process).
Buy an additional text (if you are low on budget, get a used copy
, its worth for the sake of education), any other Precalculus
text that suits you when you need more drill practices or
remedial revisions.

Don't blame Faires text. Its good for its purpose. Work hard and
have it in both ways. Mathematics takes a lot of patience and
practice. It is also fun to read many texts and compare,
surprisingly you learn better this way than you thought.

I particularly like Faires Precalculus because of the exercise
sets. No need to worry. There are simple exercises too, only
that this text incorporates some challenging exercises specially
designed for the well-prepared students. Even if you cannot do
them, it doesn't mean that you gonna fail. Faires text has enough
of exercises to guarantee a success. It is a great headstart in
your study of Calculus. Good luck!

Hi! I am a math teacher in Malaysia. For your information we have
Precalculus texts written in our own native language which has
about 200 pages. I have been searching for some American
preCalculus texts which are short. When I find this title by
Faires I acquired a copy and see that it has about 400 pages. Our
texts cover most topics in Algebra & Trigonometry because we have
a different syllabus where we don't make use of a graphing
calculator, naturally our math texts look short and lean.

I have given this Faires PreCalculus text 5 stars for many
reasons. First, it is a short book about 400 pages (which most
other Precalculus texts have more then 800 pages). That means
American students will find it light enough to carry around.
Second, it covers topics which are only necessary as preparation
for Calculus. Third, students who are already familiar with
Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra can skip materials
that would be repetitive and can concentrate more time on what
truely are materials for success in future Calculus/Advanced Math
courses. This book tells what to learn and master thoroughly.

As for other standard PreCalculus texts, they cover most topics
in College Alegebra & Trigonometry, which includes partial
fractions and trigonometric identity like sin A + sin B =
2sin(1/2)(A+B)cos(1/2)(A-B). This Faires Precalculus text has no
topic on partial fractions, as though instructors who choose to
adopt this text would prefer not to spend time on this yet,
postponing this topic until students encounter techniques of
intergration in Calculus. I see why more time should be spent on
PreCalulus learning how to manipulate algebraic expressions
dealing with inequalities and absolute values, which are very
much needed in understanding the concepts of Limits in Calculus
and finding zeros of complicated polynomials are that important
in determining minimum and maximum values...etc.

The pro is. when this Faires text is adopted. students are
guided to where they are heading to unsure success in Calculus
(the reason for a Precalculus course). The con is, there wiil be
students of intermediate level who will miss many topics as found
in other standard PreCalculus texts, as though they will never be
taught, for example, how the identity "sin A + sin B" works. You
gonna miss many interesting topics in College Alegebra &
Trigonometry, it is that when you spend most of your time on
selected topics. If your instructor adopts this book, then you
need to have a companion book like Dugopolski's Precalculus text
(which you need to buy extra to know ALL of Precalculus Alegebra
Trigonometry topics). This is because Faires PreCalculus covers
just the essentials that FOCUS ON SKILLS you need to succeed in
Calculus.

My suggestion is, if your instructor adopts other standard
PreCalculus text, buy this text as a helper. It really can help
you to gain much confidence in choosing what to expect and spend
more time on necessary topics. But, if your instructor adopts
this text, and you seem worried that this is a DIFFICULT text,
then do get a helper ( other text, because its actually wise to
learn by referring to many texts just in any learning process).
Buy an additional text (if you are low on budget, get a used copy
, its worth for the sake of education), any other Precalculus
text that suits you when you need more drill practices or
remedial revisions.

Don't blame Faires text. Its good for its purpose. Work hard and
have it in both ways. Mathematics takes a lot of patience and
practice. It is also fun to read many texts and compare,
surprisingly you learn better this way than you thought.

I particularly like Faires Precalculus because of the exercise
sets. No need to worry. There are simple exercises too, only
that this text incorporates some challenging exercises specially
designed for the well-prepared students. Even if you cannot do
them, it doesn't mean that you gonna fail. Faires text has enough
of exercises to guarantee a success. It is a great headstart in
your study of Calculus. Good luck!

I really liked this book and I am hanging onto my copy as I advance into Calculus. This book doesn't waste time with alot of extra nonsense jargon and gets right to the point with formulas, etc. I think it is imperative to get the student solutions manual with it for further explanation of some problems if needed.

This relies on the assumed fact that you know all the algebra in the problems. It is very poor in step by step instruction.

This is the only math book I've ever had and for just about every lesson, I have to go searching on the internet to comprehend whatever I'm studying. I basically use the book as a marker to see where the teacher is at, and what type of problems we are on. I would not recommend this book to anyone who has experience tough problems with math in the past. If you must get this book, get some type of companion book with it to help you better understand.

I purchased this text as it is required for my precalc class. The review that follows this review talks about how this book is not a self teaching guide but is to supplement the classroom experience. I can't say that I agree wit that. The book is very difficult to read even after attending the classroom session on the topic. The author does a poor job of introducing topics and drawing out points. Symbols are used in a confusing manner without explanation. The author will introduce a topic, explain it in just a few sentences and follow with "therefore" followed by a conclusion that is not explained. The authors seem more interested in proving how smart they are and less interested in teaching. Not really a good book but the graphs are good and odd answers are in the back.

This book fails in teaching calculus.
It is simply a guide of problems without answers. Worthless for anyone looking to be learn calculus. It assumes a student has a good teacher who will explain everything. Very few classroom instructors spend enough time with students to make up for the deficiencies of this book....

I originally thought this as something that was "too good to be true". But I figured with two bucks it can't be a huge gamble when I can blow at least three times as much with a drink at a bar. The shipping actually cost more than the book for a grand total that was still less than $10. How many people have spent more than that trying to get in at an event at a nightclub? So the book arrived early... which was awesome. When it arrived, it was sealed and all that good stuff (nice touch). The book was obviously used, but at $2, duhhhhhh... it's advertised as being used. If you really care about little things like that then go on ahead and cough up over $150 for a brand new one. The cover has some rough edges and the corners but that was about the extent of the wear and tear. The pages were all there, none of which were torn or even dog-eared. There were some marks from past students identifying which practice questions they were assigned but nothing like a giant fallus in the middle of the page or anything. When everything's said and done, it's a steal. It's functional and get's the job done and you'll get more than your money's worth (all for about the price of a good cocktail) once you're done with the course. I'll defintely be looking back here in the future as I progress through my degree path and have an increased necessity for books.

This book covers all the topics and has plenty of practice problems and yet it's barely an inch thick! Why isn't every instructor using this book?

This book will confuse you more than it will help.