Algebra Unplugged (Paperback)

~ Jim Loats (Author), (Author) "Learning algebra is a lot like learning to drive a car, or swim, or ride a bike..." (more)
Key Phrases: binomial squared, commutative principle, algebra book, Real Algebra Book, Miss Pounder (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Algebra Unplugged is unlike any other mathematics text about algebra. Through the use of creative analogies, the authors explain the areas that are often stumbling blocks for students. -- Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School

An excellent and enjoyable book. Worth having several copies around to loan to students. -- The American Mathematical Monthly

It's a remarkable little book by Kenn Amdahl, a poet and former math-phobe and Jim Loats, a math professor. Be advised that Algebra Unplugged does not take the approach that your high school math teacher and textbook took. It certainly answers some basic questions differently. Amdahl and Loats cover pretty much all the topics of first-year algebra and a great deal of earlier math that many kids don't really have a grip on. And they do it all in just 258 pages of remarkably readable and often hilarious text.

Both of my daughters read the book. One, a true math-phobe probably managed to pass algebra in ninth grade as much because of this little book as because of her teacher. My other daughter profited as well, though she's a math lover. Bruce M. Smith, managing editor. -- The Phi Delta Kappan, Feb 1998

Sometimes, despite endless explanations by teachers and dozens of homework assignments, students don't always grasp algebra. Some ask for help, others turn to books, hoping that one will explain things in language they can understand. This may be the book they are looking for. Explanations are short, humorous, and non technical. The authors convinced this reviewer that there is value in sneaking up on a potentially intimidating subject in this way, although I was not so sure at the beginning. -- Appraisal-Science Books for Young Adults

The book contains no exercises. Instead, it simply explains the concepts, vocabulary and strategies of algebra in understandable terms. -- Zentralblatt fuer Didaktic der Mathematik

The innovative author of There Are No Electrons asked math professor Jim Loats to teach him algebra. The result is this wonderful book which explains the basic concepts, vocabulary and strategies of algebra. No exercises, just clear writing, humor and information. -- The Genius Tribe

The volume's easy pace and the use of a game as a metaphor probably will appeal to the casual learner. The book's gentle, conversational, gamelike approach may be sufficient to reach the 'unreachable.' -- Science Books and Films

Product Description

A fun little book which contains no exercises but rather simply explains the concepts, strategies, and vocabulary of algebra. What are polynomials and why do I care? What's a quadratic equation and how do I solve it? How do you multiply polynomials? What is the slope of a line? What are functions? The language is clear and often amusing. The authors assume the reader has no knowledge of algebra, and also assume he or she has forgotten how to multiply fractions and other preliminary processes. Not a stand-alone text, but a book to read on a Saturday afternoon before taking your first algebra class, it touches nearly all the concepts of a first year course. It has been used and praised by eighth grade students as well as college students. A wonderful refresher before taking a college entrance exam or graduate admissions test.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Clearwater Publishing; 1 edition (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962781576
• ISBN-13: 978-0962781575
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #255,470 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This algebra book turns Greek into plain English!, December 4, 1998

By	Vince Turner [e-mail] (Upland, California) - See all my reviews

Having made it through college in the 70's without taking a math course, I am now wanting to learn algebra. I took it in high school and I was great at memorizing formulas. I now want to know the basis of math and I started with Algebra.

Algebra Unplugged is the book that I have dreamed of. If I had this in high school I could have gone a long way. Every parent should buy it for their school age children and even read it themselves. It stresses concepts not formulas. It shows you why we do the things we do in algebra.

After having it a week, I was solving polynomial equations on a drink napkin while flying from back east.

Great book! Math teachers - have a bake sale and buy this for all of your students!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great help for relearning algebra, January 21, 2001

By	Louise K. Forman - See all my reviews

This book, together with Practical Algebra, has bolstered my confidence, as I return to school after many years, for my MBA. Not having taken a math class in 30 years, my skills were beyond rusty. Algebra Unplugged is a light-hearted look at algebra concepts -- especially for the non-math majors among us -- and was a great start. I think I read through it in just a few days. The only problem for me was that it didn't contain any sample problems or self-tests, so I added Practical Algebra and that really helped.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, helpful, and very readable book, January 18, 2002

By A Customer

My main problem with algebra is that no one ever told me what it really is, besides a bunch of equations. I also couldn't understand why factoring was so important.

I'm happy to report that this book tells you what algebra is for and why factoring is important, and much more, and does do in a way that even the math-challenged can easily grasp. It also reassures the reader by saying that it's okay to need to read and reread the book to get a firm grasp on concepts. It is possibly the only math book I have ever read that didn't make me feel like an idiot, make giant assumptions, or skimp on the explanations. Although I don't think I will ever be close friends with math, this book makes it possible to negotiate an armed truce and (I hope) to succeed in college algebra after 10 years of doing no math more strenuous than balancing my checkbook.

The only drawback to this book is the embarrassing number of typos, but they detract only slightly from the text.