Book Description

If you want top grades and thorough understanding of precalculus, this powerful study tool is the best tutor you can have! It takes you step-by-step through the subject and gives you more than 600 accompanying related problems with fully worked solutions. You also get plenty of practice problems to do on your own, working at your own speed. (Answers provided to show you how you're doing.) Famous for their clarity, wealth of illustrations and examples, and lack of dreary minutiae, Schaum's Outlines have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide­­and this guide will show you why!

Reviews (11)

Immense help
I bought this book while taking a 6 week college pre-calc summer course. Being that the course was dramatically shortened from the normal 16 weeks to 6 weeks due to the summer curriculum, any extra help available was crucial. By using this book in conjunction with the regular school book, it made it a lot easier to understand things like functions, graphs, logs, and quadratics. This text pretty much follows right along with the in class book but provides many examples with more detailed solutions and different ways of solving them. I received a "B" in the class. Without this book, how knows?

Yes, this book does help!
Since the other reviewer and I attend the same university in Raleigh, and we are taking Math 107 (precalculus). I asked him what he thought. He said it is a good book, so I bought it.

While it is certainly no substitute for a good teacher, I found it to be better than my text book, which really isn't of much use. The example used in the book are clear and easy to understand.

This book is also much, much cheaper than my textbook.

Trust me, I stink at math, and I have not been in a math class in 10 years. But, this book is making it easier. For the first time in 16 years, I am passing a math class on the first attempt.

Two nights ago, I used it cram for my mid-term. It really helped a lot. It especially helped me understand difference quotients, which were giving me a lot of trouble.

I intend to buy more of the Schaum's books as I have two more math classes to go. I have to -- I attend a school that values math above all else.

I guess I'm just really glad because I took my midterm last night, and I left class feeling euphoric. I should probably add that I have a great teacher.

I do not think you would regret buying this book if you are having trouble in precalculus.

If you've forgotten how math works, this is THE ticket!
My intent was to enter Calculus 1 and I had one month to review all the math I'd forgotten over the past 12 years. This book was instrumental in helping me to remember everything necessary to do well in Calculus (I got an A). The solved exercises and the amazing amount of detail in the solutions they provide was nothing short of awesome! I highly recommend this book if you're refreshing yourself in Math that you've forgotten over the years. It covers everything and makes you do exercises to dust off your cobwebs. I still use it even in Calc 2 because I'm constantly going back to the basics. This book had at least 30 problems in each category and it's enough to really get you refreshed and ready for Calc!

Best Prep for Pro-Math Students
I bought this book in order to learn precalculus because we skipped most of it in my class in order to goto Calculus. Initially the book started out slow because it talked about basic algebraic principles and such, but it got better. This book, I would say, is more for math-oriented students. I myself am not great in math, but spending time with the problems in this book is well worth it. I spent 27 minutes on one problem, and I understood it afterwards, and the satisfaction is great! But yes, this book has very good explanations and almost always never leaves anything out. The only thing I did not like about this book is it skipped some steps which made me take more time with a given problem.

USELESS!
I really thought this would help me out in my trig/precalc class, but it didn't. The explanations for trying to solve a particular problem were confusing (uh this book is SUPPOSED to help you understand those problems, not add on to your confusion with this particular subject!) I know that this certain subject is quite difficult to deal with..but there's no need to add to the confusion and difficulty of it. Just don't waste your money on this piece of garbage. ... Read more

Book Description

This classic work is now available in an unabridged paperback edition. The Second Edition retains all the characterisitcs that made the first edition so popular: brilliant exposition, the flexibility permitted by relatively self-contained chapters, and broad coverage ranging from topics in the Euclidean plane, to affine geometry, projective geometry, differential geometry, and topology. The Second Edition incorporates improvements in the text and in some proofs, takes note of the solution of the 4-color map problem, and provides answers to most of the exercises. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Lots of illustrations and exercises-with answers at the back
This is a wonderful book. It isn't for mathematical beginners, but it isn't opaque either. It requires a student to think, experiment and to learn by puzzling things out in one's mind rather than simple memorization and regurgitation. Nor does it follow the all too common modern method of over simplifying things to allow people to pretend they have learned math while only dabbling in a few basic topics.

This book is amply illustrated with many exercises (answers are provided at the back for all the exercises). The book also has some humor and wit with the quotes it distributes throughout the book to help liven things up.

There is also a list of helpful references and an index. When reading the book, don't be afraid of going to a dictionary or the web or some other math books for clarification of some terms or more basic concepts. It is essential to have everything clear in your mind before moving on or you will stumble. As in all math, it is like a building with the next stage being built on the present one which is built on the previous one. You can't skip steps very successfully very often.

This is a great volume to have in your library, but even better to work through.

this is not an introduction
A better title for this book would be "Advanced Topics in Geometry". The chapters are pretty much self-contained.

This book presumes a thorough, rigorous knowledge of high school geometry such as you might get in a college geometry course designed for future teachers along with considerable mathematical maturity.

Best survey of geometry.
This is Coxeter best book. Introduction to Geometry covers a wide range of topics and is the first book that I will look at for any geometry topic. It is now a little dated but only in the topics that it does not cover. Like all of Coxeter works each topic is clear and to the point. If you only buy one book on geometry this is it. ... Read more

Book Description

These experienced authors have been praised for their in-depth explanations and their commitment to avoiding a cookbook approach. Their text addresses three critical issues in teaching college algebra: poor student preparation, the need for thoughtful integration of the graphing calculator, and poor student study skills. Their texts have a strong reputation built on mathematically sound presentation, excellent applications, and on challenging students to develop algebraic, graphical, and verbal mathematical skills. Goodman and Hirsch help students go beyond the mechanics of mathematics to developing a coherent strategy to solving problems. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Hey, it's just a textbook!
Typical Algebra textbook. Hirsch is the master of pull-your-hair-out, frustration! ... Read more

Book Description

Authors Gustafson and Frisk present simple arithmetic, geometry, and algebra concepts in a way that vividly shows how the language of numbers plays an integral role in day-to-day life. Because Essential Mathematics with Geometry is more comprehensive than most workbooks and reaches up into the topics of intermediate algebra, it provides the prerequisite background for either a college algebra or a finite mathematics course. Effective in both the classroom and the laboratory, this is one book that contains numerous features that help bring mathematics down to earth. ... Read more

Book Description

Precalculus presents the course as it was intended to be taught, providing students with an integrated review of algebra and trigonometry while focusing on essential calculus concepts. Faires and DeFranza wrote this book because they believe students too often leave a precalculus class unprepared to go on to calculus. Although students who complete a precalculus course generally have had plenty of algebra and trigonometry review, they often lack the grounding in analysis and graphing necessary to make the transition to calculus. Faires and DeFranza's PRECALCULUS concentrates on teaching the essentials of what a student needs to fulfill their precalculus requirement and to fully prepare them to succeed in calculus.This streamlined text provides all the mathematics that students need--it doesn't bog them down in review, or overwhelm them with too much, too soon. And the authors have been careful to keep this book, unlike many of the precalculus books on the market, at a length that can be covered in one term. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A PreCalculus Text To Consider.
Hi! I am a math teacher in Malaysia. For your information we have
Precalculus texts written in our own native language which has
about 200 pages. I have been searching for some American
preCalculus texts which are short. When I find this title by
Faires I acquired a copy and see that it has about 400 pages. Our
texts cover most topics in Algebra & Trigonometry because we have
a different syllabus where we don't make use of a graphing
calculator, naturally our math texts look short and lean.

I have given this Faires PreCalculus text 5 stars for many
reasons. First, it is a short book about 400 pages (which most
other Precalculus texts have more then 800 pages). That means
American students will find it light enough to carry around.
Second, it covers topics which are only necessary as preparation
for Calculus. Third, students who are already familiar with
Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra can skip materials
that would be repetitive and can concentrate more time on what
truely are materials for success in future Calculus/Advanced Math
courses. This book tells what to learn and master thoroughly.

As for other standard PreCalculus texts, they cover most topics
in College Alegebra & Trigonometry, which includes partial
fractions and trigonometric identity like sin A + sin B =
2sin(1/2)(A+B)cos(1/2)(A-B). This Faires Precalculus text has no
topic on partial fractions, as though instructors who choose to
adopt this text would prefer not to spend time on this yet,
postponing this topic until students encounter techniques of
intergration in Calculus. I see why more time should be spent on
PreCalulus learning how to manipulate algebraic expressions
dealing with inequalities and absolute values, which are very
much needed in understanding the concepts of Limits in Calculus
and finding zeros of complicated polynomials are that important
in determining minimum and maximum values...etc.

The pro is. when this Faires text is adopted. students are
guided to where they are heading to unsure success in Calculus
(the reason for a Precalculus course). The con is, there wiil be
students of intermediate level who will miss many topics as found
in other standard PreCalculus texts, as though they will never be
taught, for example, how the identity "sin A + sin B" works. You
gonna miss many interesting topics in College Alegebra &
Trigonometry, it is that when you spend most of your time on
selected topics. If your instructor adopts this book, then you
need to have a companion book like Dugopolski's Precalculus text
(which you need to buy extra to know ALL of Precalculus Alegebra
Trigonometry topics). This is because Faires PreCalculus covers
just the essentials that FOCUS ON SKILLS you need to succeed in
Calculus.

My suggestion is, if your instructor adopts other standard
PreCalculus text, buy this text as a helper. It really can help
you to gain much confidence in choosing what to expect and spend
more time on necessary topics. But, if your instructor adopts
this text, and you seem worried that this is a DIFFICULT text,
then do get a helper ( other text, because its actually wise to
learn by referring to many texts just in any learning process).
Buy an additional text (if you are low on budget, get a used copy
, its worth for the sake of education), any other Precalculus
text that suits you when you need more drill practices or
remedial revisions.

Don't blame Faires text. Its good for its purpose. Work hard and
have it in both ways. Mathematics takes a lot of patience and
practice. It is also fun to read many texts and compare,
surprisingly you learn better this way than you thought.

I particularly like Faires Precalculus because of the exercise
sets. No need to worry. There are simple exercises too, only
that this text incorporates some challenging exercises specially
designed for the well-prepared students. Even if you cannot do
them, it doesn't mean that you gonna fail. Faires text has enough
of exercises to guarantee a success. It is a great headstart in
your study of Calculus. Good luck!

Horrible!!!
This is the only math book I've ever had and for just about every lesson, I have to go searching on the internet to comprehend whatever I'm studying. I basically use the book as a marker to see where the teacher is at, and what type of problems we are on. I would not recommend this book to anyone who has experience tough problems with math in the past. If you must get this book, get some type of companion book with it to help you better understand.

Does not teach!!!
This book will confuse you more than it will help.

Meant only for the mathematically inclined
Some math textbooks do a great job of actually teaching you the concepts on their own. For example, if you miss a lecture over a certain chapter, you can feel confident that you'll be able to learn the material by simply reading the book.

This is not one of those books.

If you miss a lecture, you'd better have a tutor available to explain the material to you, because this book is definitely written for the mathematically-inclined. However, the study guide/solutions manual is a little better in this respect, but not by much.

None of this really matters though if you're a student, because you have to use whatever textbook is assigned to you. Hopefully, professors will read this review before making a decision as to which textbook to recommend to their administrators. ... Read more

Book Description

Primary Grade Challenge Math offers material that goes beyond calculation skills for those children who enter the primary grades already knowing basic concepts. This curriculum allows parents and teachers to instill a deeper level of mathematical understanding and thinking skills in young children while nurturing a love of mathematics. (Grades 1st - 4th)

Each chapter’s questions are broken down into four levels:
Level 1 (easy)
Level 2 (somewhat challenging)
Level 3 (challenging)
Einstein (very challenging)

Includes chapters on: Sequences, Problem-solving, Money, Percents, Algebraic Thinking, Negative Numbers, Logic, Ratios, Probability, Measurements, Fractions, Division. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"Awesome"
I walked into my son's room and my mouth dropped open. My son was reading his Primary Grade Challenge Math Book ON HIS OWN. When I asked him how he liked the book he replied, "It's awesome!" Later he found me to tell me about about a problem he had just solved. He had such a proud look on his face. I have never seen my child so excited about learning math. What a great idea to write a math book that actually makes learning math fun! I can't wait to get my hands on the author's other books.

"Awesome"
I walked into my son's room the other night and my mouth about hit the floor. He was reading and doing problems in his Primary Grade Challenge Math Book ON HIS OWN. I asked him if he liked the book to which he replied, "It's Awesome!" Later he came to me to tell me about one of the problems he had figured out. He had such a proud look on his face! This was the first time I have seen my child so excited about math. What a great idea the author had to write a book that actually made learning math fun! I can't wait to get my hands on his other books. ... Read more

Book Description

Mathematics is the science of patterns, and mathematicians attempt to understand these patterns and discover new ones using a variety of tools. In Proofs That Really Count, award-winning math professors Arthur Benjamin and Jennifer Quinn demonstrate that many number patterns, even very complex ones, can be understood by simple counting arguments. The book emphasizes numbers that are often not thought of as numbers that count: Fibonacci Numbers, Lucas Numbers, Continued Fractions, and Harmonic Numbers, to name a few. Numerous hints and references are given for all chapter exercises and many chapters end with a list of identities in need of combinatorial proof. The extensive appendix of identities will be a valuable resource. This book should appeal to readers of all levels, from high school math students to professional mathematicians. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beware the "paperback edition" - it's the answer book
Last week I ordered a copy of the "paperback edition" of this
book, with ASIN 032100969X. This is NOT a paperback edition!
It is the "Student's Solusions Manual - Precalculus" -- great if
that's what you're looking for, but if you wanted a paperback
edition of the textbook (in this case, for my teen-aged
daughter), you may be disappointed. This is not the textbook
plus answers -- it's just the solutions!

At first I was going to take this up with the vendor
(ecampus.com, who by the way shipped it right on time; it got
here in under a week with standard shipping), but then I realized
it wasn't their fault -- it was amazon.com's description that
was faulty :^<

Oh, the solutions book does have at least one minor typo: p.173,
#105, "The expression is not undefined if (x+1)(x-4)=0, that
is, if x=-1 or x=4. Thus, the domain is the set of all real
numbers except x= -1 and x=4" They meant "The expression is
not DEFINED if..." (that's 'cause (x+1)(x-4) was the
denominator of the expression).

neatly organised and pleasant to self-study
This is a beautiful book that leads from algebra very smoothly. As a precursor for calculus, it covers all the important topics such as trigonometric functions, identities and equations, polynomial, exponential, rational and logarithmic functions and some analytic geometry. The only topic that it is lacking is probability and statistics.

The majority of the problems have real-life applications accompanied by colourful pictures. With an average of about 90 problems in each chapter section, it does a good job of not being too repetitive. The chapter readings are easy to comprehend and well-organised into little sections and examples.

Overall this is a great textbook to self-study Precalculus from and I had a painless time absorbing it. ... Read more

Book Description

Among the myriad of constants that appear in mathematics, p, e, and i are the most familiar.Following closely behind is g, or gamma, a constant that arises in many mathematical areas yet maintains a profound sense of mystery.

In a tantalizing blend of history and mathematics, Julian Havil takes the reader on a journey through logarithms and the harmonic series, the two defining elements of gamma, toward the first account of gamma's place in mathematics.

Introduced by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), who figures prominently in this book, gamma is defined as the limit of the sum of 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + . . . up to 1/n, minus the natural logarithm of n--the numerical value being 0.5772156. . .. But unlike its more celebrated colleagues p and e, the exact nature of gamma remains a mystery--we don't even know if gamma can be expressed as a fraction.

Among the numerous topics that arise during this historical odyssey into fundamental mathematical ideas are the Prime Number Theorem and the most important open problem in mathematics today--the Riemann Hypothesis (though no proof of either is offered!).

Sure to be popular with not only students and instructors but all math aficionados, Gamma takes us through countries, centuries, lives, and works, unfolding along the way the stories of some remarkable mathematics from some remarkable mathematicians. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A Winner
There is more mathematics in this book, more interestingly explained than any other of its type that I have read. What is its type? Well, I guess it comes under the category of 'Popular math' or in the jargon 'trade books' but don't be fooled by that; to get something out of it you need some math knowledge-and more than that, some math ability. There are symbols everywhere. The constant Gamma just had to be the next single number to appear as the subject of a book and with the books on e and i under their belt I guess that Princeton would be the obvious publisher. Havil, a first-time author, could easily have made the grave mistake of writing a gritty book on analysis with gamma as its focus but he didn't do that. He decided on a historical approach and to divide his attention between the harmonic series, logarithms and gamma itself. As a result the book really is a mathematical odyssey (publisher's blurb)which embraces a huge number of ideas, each of which has a natural place in the development. For the first time I really understand Napier's approach to logarithms and how it relates to what we now define them to be. For the first time I understand that wakky Benford's Law. For the first time I understand the Riemann Hypothesis. There is stacks more stuff too. The Continued Fraction chapter has really got me into that cool idea, which I had only vaguely heard about. Euler was for me the man who solved the 7 bridges of Konigsberg problem-I had no idea just how fantastic he was.

They tell us that Havil is a math teacher at Freeman Dyson's old high school. What a school that must be-I wish I had gone there and I would like to have been taught by a teacher who is so clearly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his subject! Dyson wouldn't put his name to the book just becaause he is an alumni. He rates it and its real easy to see why.

Every so often you come across a winner...for me this is the first this year.

Brave and Successful
I agree with the previous reviewers, Havil has used Gamma as a means to introduce a wealth of fascinating mathematics. His chosen historical approach succeeds in adding interest whilst at the same time tempering some quite difficult subject matter. The cleverest thing for me is his ability to introduce a wide variety of material in such a natural way; it all flows very smoothly and he explains the ideas with crystaline clarity. There needed to be a book on Gamma and this, for me, is exactly the right book to write on the topic; it fits well into the PUP stable having e and i already in it. Its good to learn about new mathematics and to learn about it in context; now I am starting to read more about Continued Fractions, about which I knew very little. The Riemann Hypothesis is much in vogue at the present, with two new books about it but written for the lay reader; Havil approaches it as a mathematician and takes the bull by the horns with great success. He needed Analytic Continuation and sensibly did not side-step that need. This is a book which will last-and be on the shelves of many a mathematics student. Good for him and I too look forward to his next book.

Far-reaching, but not "popular math"
I debated for a while whether this book deserved four stars or five. There's a lot of very interesting material here: if there's one thing this book does--perhaps better than any book I've read in quite some time--is show just how interrelated far-flung mathematical concepts can be (how are the prime numbers related to pi, for example?).

My one complaint about the book--and the reason for giving it four stars instead of five--is that there are times when the formulae and notation get so dense that it's extremely difficult to follow the author's train of thought: I can think of a number of places where diagrams would have helped immensely. Likewise, since there's no list of symbols or formulae, it's not a book that you can simply browse through, in the sense that you can browse through, say, "A Brief History of Time."

Finally, let me reiterate that this book assumes that you already know a fair amount of math: if you don't know what a capital pi means, for example, you're probably going to have a hard time understanding this book. But if you *do* know what that symbol means, though, then by all means, give this book a try.

Gamma finally joins the ranks of e, pi, i
After reading Paul Nahin's lovely book on i, "An Imaginary Tale" (also published by Princeton University Press), I could not believe it when the same publisher produced a book on gamma. Gamma seems to always have been one of the neglected constants in mathematics (by the general public). e, pi, and i seem to capture the imagination more, my guess is because the mathematics required to understand them are more elementary (I use the word "elementary" completely tongue in cheek), and you can quickly see the dazzling results they are associated with.

Gamma is different. While you can understand the theory presented in Julian Havil's book if you stayed awake during second semester calculus, you definitely have to work at it. The requisite analytic number theory presented may turn away the average reader if they are not prepared to make the commitment to stay on the roller coaster for the full ride.

You will be rewarded if you can break through the initial 2 or 3 chapters introducing us to the logarithm and the harmonic series. To be fair, as a previous reviewer has noted, the material on Napier and the logarithm has been done in a more satisfactory manner by Eli Maor in his book on e. But this is only a minor drawback. As long as you are comfortable with the natural logarithm, you can omit Chapter 1 with no loss.

Chapter 4 starts off with the zeta function, arguably the most enticing and mysterious function in all of mathematics, despite approximately 150 years of analysis by the world's best mathematicians. This one function alone could arguably be said to be the genesis of analytic number theory (even though Dirichlet's work on primes in arithmetic progressions has typically been given credit for that role). All the familiar material is presented, including Euler's product formula, the "trivial" divisors of the zeta function, the infinitude of primes, Euler's evaluation of the zeta function for positive even integer powers, etc.

Of course, the gamma function makes its obligatory appearance. After having read Nahin's book on i, I was initiated into the math connecting the gamma and zeta functions. But Nahin of course could not use Euler-Maclaurin summation or the familiar inequality arguments as this would have taken him too far afield. After having read the traditional fare, such as Hardy-Wright, Apostol, Hua, et al., it was nice to see a more conversational approach to the material. I literally felt like I was sitting in Havil's office while he dissected the material for me, on a level I could comprehend.

My last comments on this book are the extras. As expected, Riemann's hypothesis and complex analysis make extended appearances. I appreciated the fact the Havil resisted the temptation to take the Riemann Hypothesis beyond the traditional mathematical lore and float off into the ethereal. This happened with John Derbyshire's otherwise excellent book "Prime Obsession", which devoted a little too much time to the psychoanalysis of Riemann, who after all, only scratched the surface of this problem. Derbyshire's book is highly recommended though for more material on the Prime Number Theorem, and some of its uses to formulate modern permutations of the Riemann Hypothesis.

He presents the usual anecdotes on Riemann and Hardy (who had a major love affair with the Riemann Hypothesis), but these are sidelines only, as they should be. Also, the material on residue integration and analytic continuation in the appendices is enormously helpful to understand the post Riemann attacks on the problem. In addition, well, it's just pretty mathematics.

The introduction by Freeman Dyson is quite impressive. How many books of popular mathematics get endorsements like that from world-class physicists? The praise is well deserved. This book belongs on every math enthusiast's bookshelf!

This would make an excellent alternative "Calc III"
I agree wholeheartedly with all the positive comments and enthusiasm that other reviewers have shown. This is a remarkable book, and there should be more like it. I am astounded at how much and what range of mathematics there is in a book of this length and level of accessbility. Which raises a very good point: This would be a superb book for "Calc III". It's unfortunate that many students end their study of mathematics slugging through integration by parts, partial fractions, sequences and series, the logarithm as integral, etc., the traditional hodge-podge of topics called Calculus II. And the ones who progress end up going straight into multivariable calculus with its div, grad, curl, and all that. There is never really any reward for all the work in hacking through Calc II. This book, however, would tie so much of it together, it would all suddenly seem so mysteriously connected and beautiful, and the reader (I hope) would want to go on to Complex Analysis. Thank you, Prof. Havil! I hope you find the proof to the Riemann Hypothesis. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is the only one of its kind that instructs teachers to identify typical error patterns, to receive feedback on their diagnosis, and to gain insight regarding why a child may have adopted an incorrect procedure. Revised to link content to the new NCTM Standards, this new edition emphasizes the meaning of operations and using the appropriate method of computation. As in previous editions, it retains its focus on placing paper-and pencil instructional activities within the context of problem solving.Chapter topics cover diagnosing misconceptions and error patterns in computation, providing needed instruction in computation, and helping students who have learned error patterns.For mathematics teachers of special education classes or at the middle school level. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nice try
The author does a good job of providing appropriate graphics to aid in the student's comprehension, but the text is woefully lacking. My professor, thankfully, used the book only for the exercises, which are quite extensive. Whenever I had difficulty grasping an idea and referred to the text I became completely confused, so I began recording my class and playing it back for a clear explanation. I am the type of student who can learn on my own, but that could never happen with this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Updated to match the emphasis in today's courses, this clear study guide focuses entirely on plane trigonometry. It summarizes the geometry properties and theorems that prove helpful for solving trigonometry problems. Also, where solving problems requires knowledge of algebra, the algebraic processes and the basic trigonometric relations are explained carefully. Hundreds of problems solved step by step speed comprehension, make important points memorable, and teach problem-solving skills. Many additional problems with answers help reinforce learning and let students gauge their progress as they go. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Utterly and Deplorably Horrible
This book as mentioned in the title is horrible. It is incomplete in many areas, case and point, curve graphing. In many cases the book does little more than introduce the topic and give somewhat bland math questions. This book will not help you through a normal course because it is somewhat babified.
Now back to the incompleteness. Half-way through the book trigonometric function graphs are introduced (y=sinx and so on). The book very briefly describes aspects of each periodic function in a somewhat scattered manner. All of the information that is given fits on about one 8 1/2 X 11 piece of paper, somewhat terse isn't it?
This book is not for beginners and is most likely not even for people that would like to brush up on trigonometry. For a more comprehensive edition of a trigonometry tutorial you must turn elsewhere because this book will leave you asking what? huh? how? Perhaps one of the better trigonometry titles out there, and believe me I say this reluctantly because it is also deplorable, is Trigonometry the Easy Way. In conclusion if you have this book return it or if you can't use it only as a way to reinforce trigonometry ideas.

Lacking Application
This book is great for people with thick glasses with tape on them who are presidents of their computer programming clubs but for the rest of us this is not too great. This book is heavy on the theory but lacks application which MOST people need in their classes. No teacher is gonna ask you what a Apollo Axil Centripital Angle(no such thing) is. Too confusing but very organized. These people did a great job in explaining theory. I would not sugest this anyone to use this independently.

Great review of trigonometry
Trigonometry was never a good subject for me--I never "got" it. But when I was taking advanced math and science courses, I needed trig. This book helped me to "get" it, finally, and be able to solve trigonometric problems. It's very clear, up-to-date, and well-written.

A real easy approach.
I found the book very useful for brushing up one's knowledge of trigonometry.It gets down to the point right away without wasting any time on unnecessary theory.After all, its your problem solving ability that counts and not how well you know the theory.:)
What I like most about this book is that it treats the subject matter from a student's point of view (like it teaches you how to get the answer using a calculator STEP by STEP.....it actually tells you which buttons to push).Also, throughout the book ,the application of trigonometry in surveying, construction,astronomy and air-navigation is emphasized.
I recommend this book for anyone who's taking computer science/engineering/technology courses in college.

Excellent Review
A complete outline of trigonometry, increased my final test score a lot ... Read more

Book Description

This book presents several key principles for teaching mathematics for understanding that you can use to reflect on your own teaching, make more informed decisions, and develop more effective systems of instruction. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Teaching Math and Reaching Students
This book is perfect for any teacher that wants to teach children math, so that they will learn with understanding. This book examines the elements that are necessary in a classroom that teaches with understanding. This book also examines several different, diverse classrooms that serve as examples. This book is an excellent resource and will help any existing or pre-service teacher better understand mathematics and how to teach mathematics within the classroom. ... Read more

Book Description

Master Math: Basic Math and Pre-Algebra teaches the reader in a very user-friendly and accessible manner the principles and formulas for establishing a solid math foundation.This book covers topics such as complex fractions, mixed numbers and improper fractions; converting fractions, percents, and decimals; solving equations with logarithms or exponents, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good But Not Great For Basic Math and Pre-Algebra
I was sitting down at work one day and tried to work out a math problem. I couldn't believe that I had forgotten how to do certain math calculations. I am fourty years old and figured that I was in need of a mathematical review. I was able to whiz through the book and pausing after each chapter, saying to myself, "O.K. I understand this now, I haven't really lost it all. I just needed a quick refresher." The book starts out from the very very basic, explaining the theory and terminology however when it came to chapter 8 and the explanation of logarithms things start to become fuzzy. The author should have asked normal everyday students if they understood what she was talking about. I recommend Forgotten Algebra from Barron's over this book.

A big help
I have always avoided math whenever possible, but now I have to pass a college level math course in order to complete a degree. This book has helped me review the basics and slowly work my way into more advanced math.

The only reason I gave it a "4" is because I find I sometimes need to refer elsewhere for further information. That is my weakness, though. Not the books.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has to review basic math skills, and/or move on to higher math.

Great Reference Math Book
I like this book. It explains each math concept. It is a good reference tool for math.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents for the first book in the Master Math series, Basic Math and Pre-Algebra

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Numbers and Their Operations 5

1.1. Digits and the base ten system 6 1.2. Whole numbers 7 1.3. Addition of whole numbers 7 1.4. Subtraction of whole numbers 15 1.5. Multiplication of whole numbers 22 1.6. Division of whole numbers 35 1.7. Divisibility, remainders, factors and multiples 43 1.8. Integers 45 1.9. Even and odd integers 46 1.10. Zero 47 1.11. Addition and subtraction of negative and positive integers 48 1.12. Multiplication and division of negative and positive integers 51 1.13. The real number line 52 1.14. Absolute value 53 1.15. Prime numbers 54 1.16. Rational vs. irrational numbers 54 1.17. Complex numbers 55 1.18. Rounding, truncating and estimating numbers 59 1.19. Inequalities, >, <, ¡Ý, ¡Ü 62 1.20. Factorial 66

Chapter 2 Fractions 67

2.1. Definitions 67 2.2. Multiplying fractions 68 2.3. Adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators 69 2.4. Adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators 70 2.5. Dividing fractions 76 2.6. Reducing fractions 77 2.7. Complex fractions, mixed numbers and improper fractions 78 2.8. Adding and subtracting mixed numbers 82 2.9. Comparing fractions: Which is larger or smaller? 83

Chapter 3 Decimals 87

3.1. Definitions 87 3.2. Adding and subtracting decimals 90 3.3. Multiplying decimals 93 3.4. Dividing decimals 95 3.5. Rounding decimals 97 3.6. Comparing the size of decimals 98 3.7. Decimals and money 99

Chapter 4 Percentages 101

4.1. Definitions 101 4.2. Figuring out the percents of numbers 102 4.3. Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing percents 105 4.4. Percent increase and decrease (percent change) 107 4.5. Simple and compound interest 109

Chapter 5 Converting Percentages, Fractions and Decimals 111

5.1. Converting fractions to percents 111 5.2. Converting percents to fractions 112 5.3. Converting fractions to decimals 113 5.4. Converting decimals to fractions 113 5.5. Converting percents to decimals 115 5.6. Converting decimals to percents 117

Chapter 6 Ratios, Proportions and Variation 118

6.1. Definitions 118 6.2. Comparing ratios to fractions and percents 120 6.3. Variation and proportion 121

Chapter 7 Powers and Exponents 123

7.1. Definition of the exponent or power 123

7.2. Negative exponents 124 7.3. Multiplying exponents with the same base 125 7.4. Multiplying exponents with different bases 126 7.5. Dividing exponents with the same base 126 7.6. Dividing exponents with different bases 128 7.7. Raising a power of a base to a power 128 7.8. Distributing exponents into parenthesis 129 7.9. Addition of exponents 130 7.10. Subtraction of exponents 131 7.11. Exponents involving fractions 131

Chapter 8 Logarithms 133

8.1. Definition of the logarithm 133 8.2. Common (base ten) and natural logarithm 135 8.3. Solving equations with logarithms or exponents 136 8.4. Exponential form and logarithmic form 138 8.5. Laws of logarithms; addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, power and radical 139 8.6. Examples: the Richter scale, pH and radiometric dating 140

Chapter 9 Roots and Radicals 145

9.1. Definitions 146 9.2. The square root 147 9.3. Estimating square roots 149 9.4. The cubed root 152 9.5. The fourth and fifth roots 153 9.6. Simplifying radicals by factoring 154 9.7. Multiplying radicals 155 9.8. Dividing radicals 155 9.9. Radicals involving fractions 156 9.10. Rationalizing the denominator 156 9.11. Addition of radicals 157 9.12. Subtraction of radicals 158

Chapter 10 Important Statistical Quantities 159

10.1. Average (arithmetic mean) 159 10.2. Median 161 10.3. Mode 163 10.4. Probability 164 10.5. Standard deviation, variance, histograms and distributions 164

Index 170

Appendix 173

Excellent Parent book to understand K-8 grade Mathematics.
I found the book in the library and took it home. I find it to be an excellent book describing every mathematical function from counting and the number line to logarithms and square roots, including fractions, decimals and percents. I'll be using this book as a reference for sequential teaching as a volunteer tutor--that's why I'm purchasing this book today. ... Read more