Algebra Survival Guide: a Conversational Guide for the Thoroughly Befuddled (Paperback)

by Josh Rappaport (Author)
Key Phrases: radical product rule, value fenceposts, enclosure marks, Steps Example, Note the Quantity You're, Leta Variable (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
If you think algebra has to be boring, confusing and unrelated to anything in the real world, think again! Written in a humorous, conversational style, this book gently nudges students toward success in pre-algebra and Algebra I. With its engaging question/answer format and helpful practice problems, glossary and index, it is ideal for homeschoolers, tutors and students striving for classroom excellence. It features funky icons and lively cartoons by award-winning Santa Fe artist Sally Blakemore, an Emergency Fact Sheet tear-out poster, and even an "Algebra Wilderness" board game guaranteed to help students steer clear of "Negatvieland"--and have fun.

The Algebra Survival Guide is the winner of a Paretns' Choice award, and it meets the Standards 2000 of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Its 12 content chapters tackle all the trickiest topics: Properties, Sets of Numbers, Order of Operations, Absolute Value, Exponents, Radicals, Factoring, Cancelling, Solving Equations, the Coordinate Plane and yes even those dreaded word problems. The Guide is loaded with practice problems and answers, and its 288 pages give students the boost they need in a style they'll enjoy to master the skills of algebra.

About the Author
Josh Rappaport, recipient of the outstanding Young Educator award, is a teacher and tutor in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition to writing the Algebra Survival Guide, Josh writes for thousands of subscribers worldwide in the online newsletter, the Algebra Times. Josh also gives workshops nationwide on algebra and other math topics. Josh received a B.A. from St. John's College, an M.A. in print journalism from the University of MIssouri, and a B.S. in education from the University of New MExico. He's taught both junior high and high school in the Santa Few Public Schools, and has run the "Now I Get It!" Learning Center in Santa Fe for the last 12 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Singing Turtle Press; illustrated edition edition (December 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965911381
• ISBN-13: 978-0965911382
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,800 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It will solve all of your problems!!!, September 18, 2004

By	MAMontgomery "realguyreviews" (Salt Lake City, Utah USA) - See all my reviews

I purchased this book last spring in order to prepare myself to take college algebra this fall. In high school I failed algebra and I was beyond confused or befuddled. I put off going to college for 10 YEARS simply because I didn't want to do the math. I was dreading the idea of having to spend the summer studying it. I've always had a fear of math and algebra, and over time I began to hate it. Now when I say I hate it, the term hate may not be enough; my loathing was beyond measure; but from working through this book something amazing happened; I don't hate or fear algebra anymore! Seriously!!! And I understand it! And not only do I understand it; I enjoy it! If the idea of enjoying algebra makes little or no sense to you, if you have spent your time and your money struggling through books or classes that are boring, uninformative, over your head, and/or just plain stupid, then really, this book is for you! Please don't pass this book up; it will change your life. And if you could understand how much I hated algebra, you would understand how good this book really is.

Josh, you changed my life! Thanks!!!

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fundamentals Made Easy, July 7, 2004

By	John D MacDonald (Maryland) - See all my reviews

Let me start by saying that in High School, I felt like a mathmatical retard. I failed math horribly. I never got the basics. It didn't help that I was a bit lazy, but nevermind that! At age 30, and a liberal arts degree later, I decided it was time to learn Algebra properly, once and for all. This book, and the workbook that goes with it was a balanced and enlightening start that truly was painless. I have just about finished the book and will be moving on to harder algebra. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone looking to simply the fog that surrounds the word "ALGEBRA".

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great choice for anyone!, October 19, 2004

By	Sue Lee (Somerset, KY) - See all my reviews

This book is excellent. I took all the math offered in high school and college algebra (20 years ago!) My 7th grade
daughter is struggling with pre-algebra and I couldn't remember a thing to help her. I ordered the Survival Guide and workbook and they are both fun! My 12 year old works out of this book on her own. It really is self-teaching. Each section takes you step by step through the concepts explaining in simple terms how to do the problems. I am learning all the Algebra concepts and love the way the book is laid out. Very direct, simple, engaging & great to look at visually. I am an artist by profession and give you kudos on the graphics. I also substitute teach in our public schools and this is a great book to learn how to teach basic algebra. I work with a lot of special needs students and knowing how to explain the algebra in fun and practical ways is a blessing. I recommend this book to teachers, parents and students.