Customer Reviews

Realm of Algebra

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Realm of Algebra by Isaac Asimov is a short introduction to the basics of algebra. It's only about 150 pages, outlining concepts, running through examples and pulling together things you've already learned in arithmetic. The beginning of the book demystifies algebra, then Asimov goes on to show you how to work out all the a's, b's, x's and y's. This is not a textbook and it's not a workbook; it is a basic introduction to the subject. Asimov is a great writer and he actually uses English sentences to explain the formulas.

If you are taking algebra for the first time or brushing up some rusty math skills, this is a great book to have. You'll definitely come away having learned a thing or two. If you are a publisher, please resurrect this book. It deserves to be in print. (There are used copies out there for (dollar amount), but an alternative book is Algebra Unplugged by Ken Amdahl. That one is more basic, but still very good.)

I'm not a math whiz by any stretch of the imagination, and had a fear of math when I was 12. But I picked up this book by Asimov, and learned algebra on my own that summer! It was so easy to understand, and the concepts were so clearly delineated. I'm looking for this book for my 12 year old son, and am sad that it's out of print. I know he'd love it and learn as quickly as I did. I wish they'd reprint this book, ASAP. I can't even find it in our local library. The card catalog says it's lost--yeah, right. I'm sure someone decided to keep the book because it's so good, dang it.

I read about half of this book when I was 12 years old, and didn't learn anything new in math until I was 15. For the next few years, I watched fellow students struggle through math class without ever understanding what they were doing. For me, that was Asimov's brilliance--his ability to explain the how and why of math. While classmates struggled with rules and methods learned by rote, I understood what was happening in the equations. This should be required reading for students everywhere--although that might result in lay-offs of math teachers.

This book is the best introduction to algebra you could possibly find. It is even a good book for those who've already learned algebra and want a quick review of the principles.

Concur with all previous reviewers; why wasn't this required reading when I learned (or was supposed to have learned!) algebra in school! Outstanding little book possessing far more wisdom and information than its small (paperback) size would seem to indicate. A real collectors piece!

I remember reading this long ago when I was around 4th grade, in my school's library. I can't remember if I understood much of it, but it was obvious that this book was extremely good. Should've been our textbook, of course, but we all know teachers can't read. Too busy teaching us useful things like base 7. Sad, that it's currently out of print.

This book taught me algebra in four weeks, during the summer after I finished the fifth grade. I still remember parts of it to this day, 35 years later. I checked out the book at the public library, took it home to read it. It was due two weeks later. I went back to the library to re-check it for another two weeks. By the time it was due again, I had learned algebra all the way up to solving the quadratic equation.

The book reads more like a story than a textbook. I didn't work any homework. I didn't memorize anything. Mr. Asimov simply told me the story of how algebra developed and what real life problems it solved.

In fairness, I have to admit that I was a nerd in school. Not many fifth graders want to learn algebra for the fun of it. Nonetheless, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." If the reader is ready and willing to learn, The Realm of Algebra will do the teaching.

Isaac Asimov did a great job of telling the story behind the numbers. He explains the whys and the hows of math. Understand the creation of a formula. Don't just memorize formulas and steps. This book makes Algebra into a fun challange instead of a drudgery.

I hate my....well that was before I read this book....it make is so easy to understand match!!!!! The was that the book is written it makes everything so simple!!!

This book will stay in my family for years to come. Asimov clearly explains algebra... There really isn't any other way to review it. No punches pulled, if you can do basic arithmetic and read then you can learn Algebra by reading this. It makes me sad to think that this book is out of print. I have even been inspired to write this book word for word just to be able to have my children pass it along in the future. It would be nice if someone wrote a workbook to go with it. I hope that this book goes back into print one day.