Customer Reviews

Student Solutions Manual for Fundamentals of Physics

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

This solutions manual only provides answers for a select few problems from each chapter. It seems as though the author chose to show solutions for the easiest ones, leaving the most difficult problems out. Each time I run into a problem I need help with, this book fails to provide the solution. Most of the ones that I'm able to figure out on my own, such as most of the "no-brainer" ones, are the ones that this book covers. Waste of money as I'm using google more often than I'm using this useless book.

When I found out that I could get a solution manual to my physics text, I was really excited. The text only provides the answers to odd problems but doesn't help you solve them. This book isn't that much better. Don't get me wrong, it has solutions. However, it only has solutions to like, I dunno, every tenth problem and they are usually the problems you can figure out on your own anyway. My mistake for not looking into this book before I bought it. I hope I can get some money for it come buyback.

The solutions manual for Fundamentals of Physics 9th Edition (by Halliday and Resnick) is generally good. However, I have a few constructive criticisms that in my opinion if addressed will only result in improvement.

First, since the solutions to physics problems follow a certain paradigm and includes several steps, the use of color and some type of graphic to clearly delineate each step and each problem is necessary. The manual has everything in black and white, which makes everything looks like a single giant step.

Second, more solutions need to be included in the manual. To accomodate the increased size and since the text covers at least two semesters in physics, the manual can be divided into two (and possibly more) volumes. Ideally, the manual would have the solution for every odd numbered problem.

Third, it would be very helpful if the original problem can be included with the solution. Unfortunately, this is not standard in most solutions manual, at least not to my knowledge, even though it should be.

Fourth, both in the text and the solutions manual, the problems need to be ascribed to a section and/or to a topic. This will aid in coherence and clarity, which are key to the sequential learning paradigm.

In concluding, the solutions manual is a useful complement to the text, and I certainly recommend its investment.

This manual is hardly a solutions manual. If you are expecting all of the odd numbered problems to be solved you are in for a surprise. I can get more help by googling most questions.

I purchased this book for a family member going to college. It costs a lot less on Amazon than at the college book store. Thanks Amazon.