Customer Reviews

Trigonometry the Easy Way

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is terrific! My friend, a lifelong math-phobe, was making a last-ditch effort to pass Trigonometry -- the final class she needed in order to graduate with her Bachelor of Science degree. She was trying again for the third time (both her previous attempts had ended in WPs) when she found Trigonometry The Easy Way. The biggest problem she was having was this: while the college textbook gave the formulas, it didn't give her the "why" that she needed in order to understand when the formulas needed to be applied. Memorizing formulas is one thing; understanding when to use them is quite another. She and I (a reknowned math-moron) formed a study group, using Trig The Easy Way. We found that it filled the gaps, allowing both of us to gain a basic understanding of the reasons behind trig. It's written in a simple, fun, storybook-style, and it explains the practical reasons behind the formulas, not just the dry calculations. By using Trig The Easy Way in conjunction with her textbook, my friend passed her class. She made a B, in what had previously been an impossible subject. I can't recommend this book highly enough for people needing a simple way to understand a difficult subject. And in fact, now that she's studying for her doctorate in psychology, she's planning on buying a copy of Statistics The Easy Way, too. You can't argue with success.

Trigonometry the Easy Way is an excellent way to learn trig. The best thing about this book is author's teaching method: it is completely inductive. The book is in the form of a fantasy story that takes place in an imaginary kingdom. The reader discovers trig as the characters in the story discover it. From their experiences, the characters draw principles or formulas of trigonometry. Most math books take a deductive approach: they present the general principles first, then apply them. I find that the inductive approach works much better, because the student learns to understand, rather than memorize, the principles. I highly recommend this book.

I think Trigonometry the Easy Way is a fairly good book. I read it, it made sense to me, and the storyline was rather interesting. It does have some problems: The exercises at the end of each chapter are much harder than what was covered in the main part of the chapter, there are relatively few examples, and the principles of trigonometry are introduced in an unclear way. An example of this is, "Will you get sick to the subject!" Recordis cried. You always go off on tangents!" "Very well," the king declared. "We will call the other ratio the tangent ratio." Overall it was pretty good book for people wanting to learn trigonometry in a fun way.

Ok, so I'm an archaeologist, just finished my masters degree in archaeology. However, I specialize in 3D visualization. My master's thesis was on 3D laser scanning of fossil casts. Anyway, I don't have a background in computer science or math, but because of this book I was able to pickup enough trig to write a 3D graphics program and finish my masters. I'm no rocket scientist, and I hate borring math books. So say what you want about this book's corny storyline, at least it's not a list of formulas and numbers. I recommend this book.

I have read second edition of this book.I like the early chapters of this book. It's fun and easy to understand.
But there are some major errors and the book explains some concepts in a too much incomplete inductive way.
To begin with, the standing wave formula in the chapter 9 is different from the formula on many other college physics books.
This book says it Y=Asin(kx)sin(wt). But all other college physics books say it Y=Asin(kx)cos(wt).:-<
Another example, the answer to the exercise number 47 of the chapter 10 of this book, there is only one value for the x. Actually, there are two values. And if you seleted the same way with this book to solve this problem, you have to consider another value. Not just discard the extraneous root! Since the root value have to be interpreted to a value for the cosine as well as sine, because the quadratic equation formed exactly same with the case of cosine.
Additional example is the answer to the exercise number 57 of the chapter 10. The book omits two values. This error is very related with the concepts of chapter 12.
Furthermore, the book explains some concepts in a too much incomplete inductive way. An inductive way does not guarantee a theorem is true(well, the mathematical induction is an exception) . So it must used in a careful way. But this book abuse it. For example, see the exercise number 41 of the chapter 14. The book explains(actually make reader think by solving a problem) the existance of the polar triangle by just calculate a single instance of a spherical triangle. I think it must be presented by proving cosBcosC-sinBsinCcosa equals to -cosA by applying the law of cosines for sides and the fact sinBsinC becomes bc(1-(cosA)^2)/((sina)^2).Despite of the fact it may lead to a clumsy algebric experience.
In conclusion, although you may become friendly with the trigonometry functions with this book, you are still ambiguous and skeptical about some of the trigonometric concepts.You have to create your own exercises to make sure what you've learn from this book.:-<

I purchased this book because I thought the author would weave the fundamentals of trigonometry into an interesting story. I was looking for something along the lines of Kenn Amdahl's "There are no Electrons" which was funny and informative. But the instant book doesn't live up to that standard. Here, the fictional story is not only feeble but it gets in the way of comprehension. For example, the term 'tangent' is introduced as follows: "'The aerodynamic properties of letter blocks would make a fascinating study,' the professor said. 'Will you stick to the subject!' Recordis cried. 'You always go off on tangents!' 'Very well,' the king declared. 'We will call the other ratio the tangent ratio.'" I mean, come on! That's not insightful, it's meaningless. Ultimately, that's the downfall of this book. The story is juvenile and it obscures rather than illuminates the real subject of the book. My advice is to save your bucks. The idea behind the book is good, but the result in this case is disappointing.

The story line is the distracting part of the book. If I wanted to read a fantasy book, I would have bought one. When I want to learn trig, I don't want a book that tries to amuse you with a sideshow, I just want the bare facts laid out in an easy to follow format, which this book does not have. I got bored with dumb story and quit reading the book altogether.

I purchased this book with the intent of teaching myself trigonometry - but after three chapters, I found I couldn't slog through the stupid fantasy story the book's structured around. I mean it, it's godawful, and renders the book entirely unreadable. I'm now going through Peter Selby's _Geometry and Trigonometry for Calculus_, which is far, far more palatable and straightforward.

This book was not that helpful to me. I have had trigonometry before and purchased this book as a refresher. There are very few examples throughout the text, which makes it very difficult to solve the exercises at the end of each chapter.

I think Trigonometry the Easy Way is a fairly good book. I read it, it made sense to me, and the storyline was rather interesting. It does have some problems: The exercises at the end of each chapter are much harder than what was covered in the main part of the chapter, there are relatively few examples, and the principles of trigonometry are introduced in an unclear way. An example of this is, "Will you get sick to the subject!" Recordis cried. You always go off on tangents!" "Very well," the king declared. "We will call the other ratio the tangent ratio." Overall it was pretty good book for people wanting to learn trigonometry in a fun way.