Precalculus (Sixth Edition) [Hardcover]

Ron Larson (Author), Robert P. Hostetler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0618314342 | ISBN-13: 978-0618314348 | Publication Date: 2003 | Edition: 6

As the best-seller in its field, Precalculus, 5/e, offers both instructors and students a more solid, comprehensive, and flexible program than ever before. Designed for the one- or two-term precalculus course, the text opens with moderate algebra review and introduces trigonometry first with a unit circle approach and then with the right triangle.For a complete listing of features, see Larson/Hostetler, College Algebra, 5/e.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ron Larson received his PhD. in mathematics from the University of Colorado and has been a professor of mathematics at The Pennsylvania State University since 1970. He has pioneered the use of multimedia to enhance the learning of mathematics, having authored over 30 software titles since 1990. Dr. Larson has also conducted numerous seminars and in-service workshops for math teachers around the country about using computer technology as a teaching tool and motivational aid. His Interactive Calculus (a complete text on CD-ROM) received the 1996 Texty Award for the most innovative mathematics instructional material at the college level, and it was the first mainstream college textbook to be offered on the Internet. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 781 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 6 edition (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618314342
• ISBN-13: 978-0618314348
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good if you follow the #1 rule for math & sci success, February 16, 2004

By 

Robert Caldwell (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Precalculus (Sixth Edition) (Hardcover)

This book consists of about 10 chapters.
(your precalc professor will probably only cover 8 of them).
Each chapter consists of about five or six topic sections.
Each section contains about 5 pages of reading and another 2 pages with review questions (approximately 90-120+ questions).

I initially bought the fifth edition and weeks later upgraded to the 6th. I see only two differences between the old and new edition. The prerequisite chapter (covering review material from previous math class) is located in the front of the 5th edition, but in the back of the 6th edition. As for the five pages of reading material per section, I found them to be exactly the same (as far as I could tell). However the review questions in the back have a somewhat different order. In my opinion, about 90% of the review question (the examples that professors assign for homework) are present in both edition. However, in the sixth edition, some of the questions are in slightly mixed order. What this means to people buying the fifth edition, is that after each math class, you'll need to compare and match the review questions in your book with those of your fellow classmate's sixth edition text. Personally I don't believe that it's worth the effort to buy the old edition, since you can find the new sixth edition ... on Amazon.com, ..., etc.
Something I strongly recommend is purchasing the solutions guide. The titles are Study and Solutions Guide by Dianna Zook, but the title is misleading. It is ONLY a solutions guide, with answers for the odd-numbered questions broken down into four steps. The text book only supplies the odd-numbered answers without being broken down into steps. ... Just keep in mind that the sixth edition textbook and solutions guide has a publish date of 2003 or 2004. The fifth edition textbook and solutions guide has a 2000 publish date.

6th edtion TEXTBOOK ISBN 0618314342
6th edition SOLUTIONS guide ISBN 0618314377

5th edition TEXTBOOK ISBN 0618052852
5th edition SOLUTIONS guide ISBN 0618072713

Another suggestion, if you're purchasing this book used, is to buy the instructor's edition version (ISBN 0618314369). I say used because the publisher doesn't allow the sales of these books to non-educators, so you'll have to purchase them from amazon's used section, ..., etc. The only difference between the standard and instructor's edition is that the standard student edition has the odd-numbered answers and the instructor's has the odd and EVEN-numbered answers. Unfortunately these answers are only answers and not broken down solutions. You'll have to buy the solutions guide to have those and even then you'll only get the odd-numbered broken down solutions.

As for the #1 rule of math and science courses:

It's a well accepted rule of thumb that a student should study 2 hours per week for every 1 hour in class. For example if you're taking a four credit hour precalculus course, you should be studying an additional eight hours per week on top of the four in class. For those of you who work and don't have that kind of time, I would recommend that you study at least 1 hour per week per hour you're in class. That means you'd be in class four hours per week and would study another four outside class. Trust me, if you don't do this, you won't pass! Another note about this book, don't let the reading discourage you; a lot of this text reads as if speaking to a mathematician, not a lonely undergraduate student. Even if you don't understand all the theorems thrown at you (trust me you won't) continue reading and MOST IMPORTANT: do the review quesions. At least do the review questions that your teacher assigns, but if you can do them all or at least the odd-numbered ones, it would serve you well to do so.
If you haven't looked at a math book for over five years, might I recommend that you purchase a math video tape tutorial. It won't substitute for going to class or buying the text book, but it's a great introduction and was very helpful to me in calculus. On Amazon.com just type "Standard Deviants pre-calculus" (free shipping over $25 is good incentive to buy from here) or go directly to company's website if you want descriptions of what these VHS / DVD discs are about. Word of caution, buy "standard deviants" NOT "standard deviants school" which are much bigger volumes geared toward school learning environments.

...

Good luck,

Rob

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best precalculus book on the market, May 8, 1998

By 

Vladimir K. Pochop "vladpochop" (San Fransisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Precalculus (Hardcover)

This is the best precalulus book I have ever read. It tackles the subject from several different points of view, yet in a cohesive and easily undestandable manner. The balance between the theory, examples and practical applications is superb. This is the only precalculus book you will ever need and every high school student should have it on his desk.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly a Good Book; some parts not clear, June 19, 2003

By 

Chuck R. (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Precalculus (Hardcover)

When I first started to use the book I was impressed by the pre-requisite chapter, and I also thought the book was easy to read. I used this book for a summer session. Due to my very busy life, I found it necessary to read ahead of the instructor to be ready for tests. I found the writing in the last third of the book hard to follow. Our instructor told us not even to read these chapters because he didn't like the way the material was presented. I would give this 5 stars if the CD was included, but that is an extra [$$$]
If bought for self study, you may find you need the CD, online help or solutions manual.