Book Description

One of the most commonly asked questions in a mathematics classroom is, "Will I ever use this stuff in real life?" Some teachers can give a good, convincing answer; others hem and haw and stare at the floor. The real response to the question should be, "Yes, you will, because algebra gives you power" – the power to help your children with their math homework, the power to manage your finances, the power to be successful in your career (especially if you have to manage the company budget). The list goes on.

Algebra is a system of mathematical symbols and rules that are universally understood, no matter what the spoken language. Algebra provides a clear, methodical process that can be followed from beginning to end to solve complex problems. There's no doubt that algebra can be easy to some while extremely challenging to others. For those of you who are challenged by working with numbers, Algebra For Dummies can provide the help you need.

This easy-to-understand reference not only explains algebra in terms you can understand, but it also gives you the necessary tools to solve complex problems. But rest assured, this book is not about memorizing a bunch of meaningless steps; you find out the whys behind algebra to increase your understanding of how algebra works.

In Algebra For Dummies, you'll discover the following topics and more:

• All about numbers – rational and irrational, variables, and positive and negative
• Figuring out fractions and decimals
• Explaining exponents and radicals
• Solving linear and quadratic equations
• Understanding formulas and solving story problems
• Having fun with graphs
• Top Ten lists on common algebraic errors, factoring tips, and divisibility rules.

No matter if you're 16 years old or 60 years old; no matter if you're learning algebra for the first time or need a quick refresher course; no matter if you're cramming for an algebra test, helping your kid with his or her homework, or coming up with next year's company budget, Algebra For Dummies can give you the tools you need to succeed. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Look Elsewhere
This is an ok text for college students trying to remember the major concepts of high school algebra, or even for the beginner who wants easy down to earth explanations of the major concepts, but if you are trying to LEARN algebra, this text is not for you. I bought it because after reading the first few pages I noticed that the writing was concise and informative. I also noticed that the book was large and so concluded (quite falsely) that the material was covered in depth. No. The author will explain the major concepts well, but won't get into the nitty gritty (like how fractional exponents work, or even how a cube or fourth root works). She will just shove some algebraic equivalences your way almost as if she is expecting her readers not to care about what is really going on behind the algebra. She gives helpful tips and shortcuts for doing operations, but no proof style analysis of concepts. And there are no excercises to speak of. If you want a soaring overview of the math you learned in high school, this is definitely the book for you. If you want to learn algebra, look elsewhere.

"...another success for "dummies"..."
...this book makes the infinite power of algebra accessible to even the biggest "dummies"... well organized and written to you, not "down to you" like most algebra texts... I would recommend this to all algebra students as a supplement to their school text and class notes... as a pre service mathematics teacher, I found this book provided me somewhat new ways to explain the topics of first year algebra to already bewildered students, and with a dash of humor that always makes learning more fun... don't let the title fool you, though... in my opinion,this is a very legitimate coverage of first year algebra topics and deserves substantial academic recognition... buy this book!!... oh I only gave this book a 4 because I had to give Geometry for Dummies a 5, since Geometry has always been my favorite subject and Algebra has not...

Going back to college...
I had gone back to college and had not been in an algebra class in about 16 years...this book helped me tremendously! The book is very easy to follow and I found it short and to the point.

A Lot of Text for a Little Mastery
Even though there are a lot of pages in this book, the number of concepts covered is extremely small. This would be better titled "Pre-Algebra for Dummies"; in fact, you'd be hard pressed to pass an Algebra I class with the material covered in this text. While it is friendly, there are other friendly books that cover a wider breadth of material. I cannot recommend this book.

Great Overview and easy to understand!
This book does not present numerous problems for one to work through. BUT it does explain all the essential concepts of algebra so that a person will not only understand the steps taken in working out a problem, but will have a firm grasp in understanding most everything related to the entire subject. This is a great supplement to those who are learning algebra for the first time, or those who have largely forgotten it. ... Read more

Book Description

This clear, accessible treatment of mathematics features a building-block approach toward problem solving and realistic, diverse applications. The Putting Your Skills to Work and new chapter-end feature, Math in the Media, present readers with opportunities to utilize critical thinking skills, analyze and interpret data, and problem solve using applied situations encountered in daily life.The goal of the changes in the 2nd edition is to upgrade the level of algebra in the book—This is accomplished by introducing equations, evaluating expressions, and properties of exponents earlier and revisiting the topics moreoften. Readers now learn how to solve equations using one principle first (Chapters 1, 3, 4, and 5)—Using bothprinciples together is covered (Ch. 6) after readers have had substantial practice using one principle of equality. Contains 2 chapters dedicated to algebra skills (Ch. 3 and 6). A substantial increase in coverage of evaluating expressions (nearly double) from the first edition. Signed numbers are now covered earlier in Chapter 2 and Whole number operations are covered in one chapter vs. two in the previous edition. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good Pre-Algebra Book
This book worked good for me, I also had a good teacher though. Never found mistakes in it. Good beginning book to learn Pre-Algebra concepts

The ladder of success
I have been below average in Math for most of my life but thanks to Prealgebra by Blair, Tobey and Slater my grade went up considerably. I managed to maintain a B average thanks to this comprehensive and easy to follow book. It set a steady foundation for me. Thanks ... Read more

Book Description

The goal of this series is to provide readers with a strong foundation in Algebra. Each book is designed to develop readers' critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities and prepare readers for subsequent Algebra courses as well as “service” math courses. Topics are presented in an interesting and inviting format, incorporating real world sourced data and encouraging modeling and problem-solving.Algebra and Problem Solving. Functions, Linear Functions, and Inequalities. Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities. Polynomials, Polynomial Functions, and Factoring. Rational Expressions, Functions, and Equations. Radicals, Radical Functions, and Rational Exponents. Quadratic Equations and Functions. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Conic Sections and Nonlinear Systems of Equations. Polynomial and Rational Functions. Sequences, Probability, and Mathematical Induction.For anyone interested in introductory and intermediate algebra and for the combined introductory and intermediate algebra. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Blitzer's Intermediate Algebra
Blitzers' step by step is very helpful but does not always use the best path to the solution. He could use more examples of different types of the same problem, ie. What occurs when using negetives on this problem? Great book, but with anything, could be better. ... Read more

Book Description

Stewart's CALCULUS: EARLY TRANSCENDENTALS, Fifth Edition has the mathematical precision, accuracy, clarity of exposition and outstanding examples and problem sets that have characterized the first four editions. Stewart retains the focus on problem solving and the pedagogical system that has made the book a favorite of students and instructors in a wide variety of colleges and universities throughout the world. The structure of CALCULUS: EARLY TRANSCENDENTALS, Fifth Edition, remains largely unchanged, the sole exception being that the review of inverse trigonometric functions has been moved from an appendix to Section 1.6. Stewart has made hundreds of small improvements: new examples, additional steps in existing examples, updating of data in existing examples and exercises, new phrases and margin notes to clarify the exposition, references to other sources and web sites, redrawn art, and references to the TEC CD (Tools for Enriching Calculus). These refinements ensure that students and instructors using this text are using the best resource available. The number of pages in the book, however, remains unchanged from the 4th edition. This edition is complemented with and expanded array of supplementary material for both students and instructors.These best-selling texts differ from CALCULUS, Fifth Edition in that the exponential and logarithmic functions are covered earlier. In the Fifth Edition of CALCULUS, EARLY TRANSCENDENTALS these functions are introduced in the first chapter and their limits and derivatives are found in Chapters 2 and 3 at the same time as polynomials and other elementary functions. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An inferior textbook, though popular.
This is the early transcendentals version of Stewart's calculus. The title of the book is quite appropriate, in that to learn calculus well, one must transcend the Stewart approach early and often. I found my self reading another text (Simmon's Calculus and Analytic Geometry) as an antidote to this dry, disjointed, lifeless tome.

Stewart takes an inconsistent (sometimes rigorous, sometimes intuitive) approach toward teaching the calculus. It seems as if he has attempted to be all things to all people. Though he may have attempted to present the subject in both an intuitive (to motivate the typical student) and rigorous (to satisfy the professor) manner, he failed to deliver on either.

The text is replete with pretty diagrams and some historical diversions, which read as canned, trivial snippets. In spite of this eye candy, the mathematical exposition is poor. Most proofs read as shorthand notes to one who already understands the subject. Is it analysis or basic calculus? Stewart seems to have a schizophrenic writing manner. On the one hand, he presents examples in "workbook" (i.e. Schaum's outline) form, so that if one wishes to solve a particular sort of problem, one might find it here. On the other hand, he does not seem able to meld problem solving with rigor in a coherent manner. So an abbreviated proof is done, with several relevant steps (relevant, that is, to the beginner) omitted. What function does this serve for a pre-analysis student? A proof that might take 10 steps is presented in 4. What is the point of this approach? Perhaps so as to ward off accusations that a particular subject was not touched upon.

The book is expensive and bloated. Though the "official" rendering of the page numbers is 781, there are approximately 130 other pages devoted to appendices (some as advertisements for other, i.e. ancillary, materials). Note, this text is intended for a 2 semester Calculus sequence. It seems inappropriate, perhaps fraudulent, that Stewart devoted 900+ expensive pages for his task, and yet failed to present the material in an interesting and efficient manner. Given his insistence upon this secondary material, I ask Stewart - did you ever intend for this book to be relatively self-contained for the serious first year scholar, or did you expect the professor or CD-ROM to fill in the gaps in your exposition? Some alternative texts: Simmons, Anton, Stein, Thomas/Finney. ... Read more

Book Description

Abstract Algebra, Fifth Edition, includes challenging topics as well as numerous figures, tables, photographs, charts, biographies and computer exercises, making the text more compelling, current, and relevant for students.

• All cross-referenced exercises (odd exercises) feature solutions in the answer section of the text.
• True/false exercises have been posted on the web site to correspond with the Supplementary Exercises in text.
• A text-specific web site contains updated software for the computer exercises found in the book, as well as additional exercises for practicing and reinforcing concepts.

Reviews (13)

An excellent text on algebra!! Two thumbs up!
I recently took an abstract algebra course that used this text. I come from a physics background and found that this book explains the mathematics, notations, and general concepts very well. I would like to add that I had the privilege to take an undergraduate course in Calculus from Dr. Gallian. His lectures were the best I have yet to experience. His enthusiasm is portrayed in his books just as in his classroom. If you want to learn the mathematics, then read Gallian's book.

Excellent undergraduate abstract algebra textbook
I used this book for my Abstract Algebra course at Whitman College. It is genuinely fun and interesting to read. It has many interesting quotes and biographical sketches. The problems are just the right difficultly to be challenging but not frustratingly hard. One interesting thing is that the problem sets include computer application questions. Our class did not use these sections, but some of the problems looked interesting.

I found the text to be well organized and understandable. Numerous examples are included which help for understanding abstract concepts. Neither my friends nor I have noticed any typographical errors. Theorems and corollaries are shaded in a blue background for ease of reference. Every time new notation is introduced, possible ambiguities are discussed. Also, possible confusions about new concepts and common mixups are addressed.

I have only taken one semester of algebra at the current time, so have only used the first half of this book. I feel that it is one of the best textbooks I have used for a mathematics class.

Gallian's poor algebra book.
I agree with the other reviewers in the sense that it is ture Gallian's book is soft on theory and rigor, but oppositely I find this lack of real substance to be Gallian's deepest flaw. I give Gallian one star, basically for effort.

I divide my critique into the following subcategories:

Organization:

Gallian's book is organized well enough in the sense that he opens each chapter with some commentary about the problems to be studied, or motivation, and then proceeds to go example, theorem, proof, example, example, example, example,..., example. This doesn't work, I think, because he spends too little time actually showing theorems and proofs, and sometimes he'll build an entire chapter on just two or three theorems, and fill the rest with useless commentary (which I'll mention again below).

Readability:

As for readability, for people who read math books at all (i.e., those who study outside of class), this book should be a nightmare. If you were to strip away all of the useless commentary/endless biographical insets/weblinks you would be left with probably about 30 pages of theorems and cumbersome proofs (by cumbersome, I don't mean involved, I mean unrefined). Gallian has failed to make a readable text because he presumes to have the omnipotence and foresight required for putting a full understanding of algebra and algebra history into one book. As a result, the excess commentary he makes and useless statements (for example, "In high school, students study polynomials with integrer, rational, real, and sometimes complex coefficients") distract a reader from the main points, and I rarely found myself rubbing my chin thinking how insightful something he said was. All in all, I feel as though the reading felt "hoakie" at best--like he was elbowing me in the side, winking, trying to get me to lie and say I thought what he was saying was insightful.

Exercises:

The exercises are often clumsily put together and the quotes before each problem set can get extremely patronizing. I remember thinking how cocky this Gallian fellow must be to presume that people can't do "his" problems. A joke, to say the least. In any case, they seem fine for all purposes -- if you're going into chemistry or an applied science that uses group theory. It's very obvious that our author believes that group theory is the pinnacle of the algebra experience and struggles to present topics from rings and fields. IF you are someone who likes group theory, fine. BUT Artin's book does everything Gallian does and more with group theory and builds the same ideas on more solid footing, using linear algebra excessively throuhout the book. For example, if you think I'm joking about Gallian's weakness, just look at the chapters on isometries and compare them to the chapters in Artin, and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Peter Rabbit:

Well, I do have at least one nice thing to say. As anyone can see, Gallian has a lot of examples, but this seems to be the only redeeming quality of the book. But that alone doesn't make an algebra book.

Broad Commentary:

If it's a softer touch you're looking for, I'd say go with Durbin -- he's easy to follow and an excellent writer. If it's group theory, examples, and a lot of wonderful exercises you want, go with Artin. Neither of those books get caught up in useless commentary. I've heard good and bad things about Fraleigh (sp?), but have no direct experience with that book. I would suggest, for those who don't want a hardcore book such as Herstein's Topics in Algebra, or M. Artin's Algebra, you should see Durbin's book. Durbin is also a softer book; it has many nice examples and is very well written. IF you are unavoidably made to use this book for a course, and if you want to learn to be more insightful/challange yourself to think/want to study, then I suggest you use any of Artin, Herstein, or Durbin as a companion (in that order, but I only place Artin above Herstein because Artin has more material in it, Herstein is a much better writer so you might choose him depending on which book you'll spend more time with).

Assessment
This book has been explicitly designed for the use of mentor and students at graduate and undergraduate level. This book presents comprehensive coverage starting from the fundamentals of mathematics to advanced algebra. The theories are explained with abundant examples and exercises which makes the concepts more clear and understandable. The author has exclusively ended the book by providing physical approach of algebra in physical sciences.

The most lucid text on Abstract Algebra that I have seen.
I used this book as the textbook for an undergraduate course in Abstract Algebra. It is very concise, clear and informative. The coverage of topics is very comprehensive, covering all that is needed at this level. The book makes the material fascinating, compelling and easily understandable. The exercises at the end of each chapter are at the right level of difficulty and help to elucidate the subject matter. This book is the ideal starting point for anyone with an interest in Abstract Algebra. Highly reccommended. ... Read more

Book Description

This top-selling, theorem-proof book presents a careful treatment of the principle topics of linear algebra, and illustrates the power of the subject through a variety of applications. It emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between linear transformations and matrices, but states theorems in the more general infinite-dimensional case where appropriate.Chapter topics cover vector spaces, linear transformations and matrices, elementary matrix operations and systems of linear equations, determinants, diagonalization, inner product spaces, and canonical forms.For statisticians and engineers. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

awesome...i'd give 10 stars
This book combines a very rigorous treatment (with a flavoring of abstract algebra) and interesting applications. The presentation is very clear and straightforward. You get theorems, a proof of each one, and curious exercises. Some exercises also challenge you to develop and prove results about some side topics. As you go through the chapters and learn more, you prove further results. Also, this book is the first which presented Jordan forms lucidly and thoroughly. Other texts shove it into the appendix, which is a mistake, since this topic is important.

Finally, the applications are plenty. Standard ones like Markov chains, plus a few fascinating applications, like an entire section devoted to the development of the basics of Special Relativity.

This should be the standard text on linear algebra, instead of that drivel by Strang.

Not for me thanks...
This is not a book to learn linear algebra from... this is a book to help you formalise your existing knowledge. The book is very formal and rigorous, often concentrating on giving trivial proofs in a pedantically rigorous fashion, and leaving the important concepts to the exercises at the end. I see this was a concern of other reviewers too.

I must agree that the presentation is consistent and clear with the "theorem-proof-example" model used throughout. The examples however are often too trivial in most cases to truly illustrate the power of the concept, and to bridge the gap between them and the end-of-section exercises which I found generally too advanced and often removed from the content of the actual text.

I have degrees in both engineering and mathematics, and I really disliked this book from a student's perspective, and found it really hard reading. The examination at the end of the course could really only be a request for regurgitation of proofs, and the sheer number and rigour of these made it a book from which I gained very little.

Not for the feint-hearted.

Does rigor need to be so pedantic?
I am currently using this book in an advanced linear algebra course. I am convinced that determinants is the wrong approach to understanding diagonalization and the characteristic polynomial. The traditional approach, which this book uses, is an elaborate time-consuming construction that offers little insight into diagonalization or even into determinants themselves.

If you insist on the determinant approach and you want to rehash every single thing covered in the first linear algebra course, this book is not a bad choice. The proofs are certainly clear, although it is easy to lose the big picture. Again and again, the authors prove that some statement applying to linear maps applies to matrices or vice/versa. Enough already! Often theorems are written in a way that obscures the main point, which is then stated as a corollary.

Important ideas (including definitions) are embedded in the exercises. This is an issue in using the book for self study, although I did not find the exercises to be challenging.

The clearest and best math text
I've read many great math books in many areas: Real, Complex, Functional, Fourier Analysis, Algebra, Set Theory, etc...
This book is the best.
The proofs are clear, the line of development is thought out, the examples are relevant.
One of the best aspects of the book is in the homework exercises. All sections start off with a list of true/false questions. Answering each question with a proof or counterexample was how I learned to be a clear-thinking math student.

Almost perfect
This book presents a very rigorous and comprehensive development of linear algebra. With a certain level of mathematical maturity, a reader can study this book even if they do not have prior exposition to the topic.

The discussion is as general as possible, stating theorems for abstract vector spaces (infinite dimensional where possible) defined over abstract fields. The number of lemmas, theorems, and corollaries in the book is amazingly high. Consequently, many of the proofs are elegant and concise since they can rely on a lot of the results previously established.

The only thing that I'm disappointed with in this book is the development of diagonalization, which is why I gave it 4 stars. The text relies on determinants to define the characteristic polynomial and to ultimately discuss diagonalization. Diagonalization is important in studying canonical forms and linear operators on inner product spaces, so it should have been developed with a more self-contained manner for the sake of elegance.

However, I should note that some of the exercises throughout the book form sequences which lead to results not discussed in the main text. With the right choice of exercises, it is possible to come up with a determinant-free explanation of diagonalization, but this requires great effort on the part of the reader.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to someone who wants to have a solid understanding of linear algebra. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

If you want to understand algebra and/or trig, buy this book
As an unchallenged high school student 30 years ago, I never really put much effort into either algebra or trig and still managed to ace my tests.This lack of a rigorous algebraic and trigonometric foundation killed me in subsequent college calculus courses.This book fixed that problem, 30 years later!If you are looking for a book to challenge a motivated high school student, this is the book.I loaned it to one such student after I finished it and she very quickly completed a year and a half of high school algebra and trig in one summer and went on to ace honors calculus that fall.

For myself, I picked up this book several years ago and started my math re-education.There are numerous margin exercises that are to be completed immediately after a new concept is introduced in a section plus 50-70 section end exercises.These exercises directly reinforce what you have just studied.There are numerous sections in each chapter.This layout is really nice because as a self study, it normally took me several days to complete a chapter and if I had to wait to do exercises at the end of each chapter, I am positive my retention would have been much lower and my frustration higher, leading to a consequent lowering of motivation.Fortunately, just the opposite happened with this book.Every time I completed a section I was motivated to learn more which reduced the time required to complete each chapter.Finally each chapter has a chapter review then a comprehensive chapter test.If you miss a question in the chapter review, the answer section point to the relevant section for review.

Every margin, chapter review and chapter test exercise has the answer in the back of the book.The section-end exercises have only odd answers in the back of the book, but this is not a significant problem.I noticed several things about these exercises at the end of each section.The exercises are not just "make work" but increasingly challenge the reader.The exercises are such that they catch and expose deficiencies in math manipulation skills.If you are weak in some area of algebraic manipulation, it becomes readily apparent in the exercises.The even numbered exercises are variations on the odd numbered exercises.If you can do the odd exercises, you'll be able to do the even exercises and so not require the answers in the back.If you messed up the odd exercise and understand the nature of the mistake, you can still do the even numbered exercise with confidence.

The Trig section is short (3 chapters) and dense.Again problems are uniformly excellent.The chapter on trigonometric identities makes the book worth its price by itself and pays off handsomely when studying calculus and you are attempting to solve integrals via trigonometric substitution.There are three additional chapters introducing linear algebra, conic sections and sequences.

The book makes use of decent artwork and has technology sections utilizing graphing calculators, but is comprehensive without having such a calculator.Despite the hefty cost for a large format paperback, this book is definitely worth it.The binding has proven to be extremely durable.I just wish I had this book so many years ago.My college math courses would have been so much more enlightening.

The best math book I've seen
I'm an adult learner who has always had trouble with math.This was the text in pre-Calc.Provides (1) clear, step by step instruction, (2) uncomplicated margin exercises to reinforce basic concepts, (4) lots ofgood practical problems, (5) a sea of drill problems, (6) chapter reviewexercises and (7) chapter tests. I refer to this book regularly. I wishthese folks would do a Calculus book!

An extremely helpful and concise review / re-learning text.
As a non-traditional student of 35 returning to undergraduate university, I had tested into Calculus but as the semester progressed, it bacame apparent that the intervening years had taken their toll on my math basics. It was clear that even as I struggled to understand the new material, Ihad either forgotten my basics or never learned them well.This lack wasseriously impeding learning the new material.I finally took a reviewcourse with this book, re-took the calculus, graduated cum laude, went onfor Masters degrees, and am now working on my doctorate.This book cutthrough all the "math-ese" to understanding the basics of thecalculations, not just regurgitating the material. The authors also seem tobe able to focus on exactly where people routinely have problems in a veryunderstandable language. It is not an exaggeration to say a single book canbe pivotal in one's success.

A GREAT textbook for the math-phobic
I bought this book to help me in a college algebra course, and I cannot begin to tell you how useful it has been. This book has exquisitely clear examples and each problem is worked in a step-by-step fashion that ensuresthat you will not only know HOW to get the correct answer, but allows youto thoroughly understand just how you derived it. I am so happy with thisbook that I've recommended that it be used in my university college algebracourses....it's that good!! ... Read more

Book Description

The Barnett, Ziegler, Byleen College Algebra/Precalculus series is designed to be user friendly and to maximize student comprehension.The goal of this series is to emphasize computational skills, ideas, and problem solving rather than mathematical theory.College Algebra with Trigonometry, 7/e, introduces a right triangle approach to trigonometry and can be used in one or two semester college algebra with trigonometry or precalculus courses.The large number of pedagogical devices employed in this text will guide a student through the course.Integrated throughout the text, the students and instructors will find Explore-Discuss boxes which encourage students to think critically about mathematical concepts.In each section, the worked examples are followed by matched problems that reinforce the concept that is being taught.In addition, the text contains an abundance of exercises and applications that will convince students that math is useful.A Smart CD is packaged with the seventh edition of the book.This CD tutorial reinforces important concepts, and provides students with extra practice problems. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A college student from MCPV
This book may be expensive but is really helpful, not only in class but also as a reference or as a study guide. The language used in this book is simple and the graphics and images easy to understand. For me trigonometry was always a pain and I got an A in the class, so I decided to write a review for future students. ... Read more

Book Description

This book, modern in its writing style as well as in its applications, contains numerous exercises—both skill oriented and applications—, real data problems, and a problem solving method. The book features exercises based on data form the World Wide Web, technology options for those who wish to use a graphing calculator, review boxes, strategic checkpoints, interactive activities, section summaries and projects, and chapter openers and reviews. For anyone who wants to see and understand how mathematics are used in everyday life.

Book Description

This practical book reflects the new technological emphasis that permeates differential equations, including the wide availability of scientific computing environments like Maple, Mathematica, and MATLAB; it does not concentrate on traditional manual methods but rather on new computer-based methods that lead to a wider range of more realistic applications.The book starts and ends with discussions of mathematical modeling of real-world phenomena, evident in figures, examples, problems, and applications throughout the book.For mathematicians and those in the field of computer science. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A Good Text, Typos Aside
I am currently using this text for an intro level differential equations course, and I feel that this book is well suited as such. It should be easily acessible to anyone with a basic intro calculus foundation and it is ideal for self-study. On the other hand, this text does contain a noticible number of typos, both in "back-of-the-book" answers and example problems. A potential reader should note that this book is fairly applied in its nature (as the title would indicate--engineers take delight, theoreticians take dismay), so one shouldn't expect more than an introduction to the theory of differential equations (ie. don't expect much proof or mathematical rigour).

Very Good Book
I don't know why everyone else attacks this book! I used it in a third semester math class at Cornell which was 1/3 vector calc (we used Thomas' Calculus, another great book), 1/3 differential equations, and 1/3 Fourier Series, partial differential equations, boundary value problems. We covered Chapters 1-3, parts of 4 and 6, and all of chapter 9.

The book is excellent. The explanations are clear. The example problems are not just "plug and play." The problems at the end of each section are not bad. I learned about oscillations and mechanical vibrations in physics and then learned about them from this book (3.4/3.6)...the difference was amazing. Their derivations made sense, and the characteristic polynomial technique they use is 1000 times simpler than the trial solution method that many introductory physics books on mechanics use.

The book's only weak point is the discussion of stability and the phase plan in 6.1. They develop it through a bunch of examples instead of talking about the general theory behind it. But this is a minor problem.

Pretty good
Not a bad book at all. Physical applications well explained, theory OK but not as good in my opinion. Unfortunately, contains a fair number of typos, and the book is physically weak (the binding of mine is splitting after only 4 months of use) for a book of this price. Still, pretty good overall.

One bad apple spoils the pair...
This book would be excellent... if it weren't for one mysterious member of the pair, Edwards or Penney who can't teach for his life and/or is lazy. I would've guessed two authors wrote this text even if they only claimed it had one author and called him edward penney... You see, every couple of sections or so there are a lot of typos and poor overly wordy "proofs" , stupid joke proofs that are almost like winking and smiling between one professor and another while the student sits there dumbfounded. One proof in particular goes: "Theorem 2 says yes!" Oh yeah? Unfortunately I am not as comfortable with math as you with your doctorate degree sir I don't just "see" the truth of a claim as you probably do -or maybe you are just bluffing. You see, I also take the types of proofs this guy does to be as though they were designed to make him look more intelligent to other professors who may be teaching out of the book. Mr. Edwards or Penney you know who this guy is! Ditch him as a fellow author for your next edition! As far as the other mysterious author, his explanations and proofs are patient and lucid and involve a good bit less words (words are nonsense! The whole point of math is to learn how to think with fewer stupid words so you can understand more fundamental and abstract ideas which cannot be expressed in words!) As a piece of advice, I would like this text to be a bit less concrete in its explanations of mathematical generalities. It weighs them down and confuses people who have an intuition for their logical consequences, it almost makes them feel constrained and stupid and it is irritating to learn about a general fact through the use of a stupid example and then have the generality taken for granted thereafter without proof!

A good differential equations textbook
I think the strength of this textbook is the amount of material it encompasses: this book is used in two separate courses in my school--introduction to DE and engineering analysis. I didn't appreciate the textbook so much until I completed my differential equations course and then looked back at the sections on mechanical vibrations to review for my physics course. I then realized that the explanations and derivations were extremely satisfying, much more than your average introductory physics text. Also, the emphasis on the qualitative aspects of DEs, such as slope fields and phase portraits, aid in the coneptual understanding of the otherwise rigorous computation aspects of the topic. My only complaint is that the proofs could've been done in a more understandable manner. ... Read more

Book Description

The product of a unique collaboration among four leading scientists in academic research and industry, Numerical Recipes is a comprehensive text and reference work on scientific computing.Thoroughly self-contained, it proceeds from mathematical and theoretical considerations to actual, practical computer routines.This new version incorporates completely new C++ versions of the more than 300 Numerical Recipes Second Edition routines widely recognized as the most accessible and practical basis for scientific computing, in addition to including the full mathematical and explanatory contents of Numerical Recipes in C.Key Features:

Book Description

This book is a comprehensive manual to allow both the novice researcher and the expert to set up and carry out quantitative PCR assays from scratch. However, this book also sets out to explain as many features of qPCR as possible, provide alternative viewpoints, methods, and aims to simulate the researchers into generating, interpreting, and publishing data that are reproducible, reliable, and biologically meaningful ... Read more

Book Description

This book bridges the gap between traditional algebra texts and reform texts, written to promote the AMATYC standards published as Crossroads in Mathematics. It provides users with a sound traditional mathematical foundation, fully integrates graphing calculator technology, and encourages computer activities.This book includes key topics in algebra such as linear equations and inequalities with one variable, systems of equations, polynomial functions and equations, quadratic functions and equations, exponential functions and equations, logarithmic functions an equations, and rational and radical expressions.For professionals who wish to brush up on their algebra skills or enhance them with the use of graphing calculators and computers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wow! I didn't know algebra could be explained so easily
Explains everything very clearly. I always found math very difficult but this made it seem easy. ... Read more

Book Description

This clear, accessible treatment of mathematics features a building-block approach toward problem solving, realistic and diverse applications, and chapter organizer to help users focus their study and become effective and confident problem solvers. The Putting Your Skills to Work and new chapter-end feature, Math in the Media, present readers with opportunities to utilize critical thinking skills, analyze and interpret data, and problem solve using applied situations encountered in daily life.The Fourth Edition contains additional modeling and real-data coverage. A conceptual approach to functions is introduced early in the book and revisited in Ch. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10—readers are exposed to a variety of realistic situations where functions are used to explain and record the changes we observe in the world. A discussion of solving linear equations in Chapter 2 now includes coverage of equations with no solution and equations with infinitely many solutions. The sections on determinants and Cramer's rule have been moved out of Chapter 4 into an appendix. This material can be covered with ease after Section 4.3. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Clear, concise and comprehensive
I am a mother who didn't do well in Algebra in high school. I am now having to help my 8th grade daughter with her Algebra. Having used Tobey & Slater's Basic College Math and Beginning Algebra (whenever her textbook doesn't make sense to me or to her), I am exceedingly impressed with their exceptional ability to explain clearly yet simply the mathmatical concepts. My experience with these books gave me the confidence to buy their Intermediate Algebra (4th Edition 2002). This updated edition provides clear explanations that make sense to someone who is not a math whiz. It includes not only exercises, but also practice problems, real-life applications, cumulative reviews, and writing exercises to teach students to translate numbers into words. It is a very comprehensive approach to empower the student to not just grasp the concept but also to retain it.

Missing Steps
This textbook is extremely frustrating for the novice, who, after all,will be using it! It omits critical steps in its examples, and leaves the user confused. It is very difficult to succeed in class with this book as a resource. I am online to purchase a book which has a comprehensive format, to get me through the course I'm taking! ... Read more

Book Description

This traditional text offers a balanced approach that combines the theoretical instruction of calculus with the best aspects of reform, including creative teaching and learning techniques such as the integration of technology, the use of real data, real-life applications, and mathematical models. The Calculus with Analytic Geometry Alternate, 6/e, offers a late approach to trigonometry for those instructors who wish to introduce it later in their courses.

Reviews (6)

Calculus Ain't Easy
First things first: If there was a ten star rating it would apply
to this book. Secondly, I found these authors through another of
their books, "Precalculus With Limits - A Graphing Approach". That book was just as well written. Truth be told, I would buy any of their books, sight unseen. They are a students
teacher and a teachers teacher. They don't sacrifice rigor, nor do they forget the mathematical maturity of their student audience. Using their books alone, and self-study (no classes,
tutors, or the intellectual diet pill category of "Calculus Made
Simple" or "Calculus The Easy Way" silver bullets I filled a forty year gap in math studies in 1-1/2 years to the point of
acing the AP Calculus and AP Physics Exams. Knowing calculus prior to beginning physics with calculus is an absolute necessity. I am no genuis. I do not have exceptional ability. I simply had the advantage of two textbooks written by teachers who
really care and take a mentoring approach to writing. All of this
has really been a long-winded way of saying that with this book
and a healthy dose of strong motivation and perserverance you will succeed in your calculus courses.

A great book!
The best book about Calculus I ever seen. Read it and you will know all about you need to love mathematics.

Absolutely Fantastic Textbook
This is no doubt the best textbook I have ever owned in any subject.I've never been able to actually read through a math text untill this book came along.The analytic graphs are colorful (and the 3-D generated ones are simply astounding) which is totally different from the dull, dreary, and nightmarish math texts from my past.This math book is unlike any other I have seen before -- in a class of its own.There are plenty of examples, charts, and many many exercises(some especially challenging).I went through Calculus I and have taught myself Calc II within a matter of weeks.Highly recommended.

I've used this book for CalcI,II,III.It's great!
I'd say it's the best book I've used for learning calculus.The chapters are rigorous, but not too much so that you get lost in the details of the concepts.The homework problems are good, and I'd recommend getting the 2 companion solution guides, available from the publisher directly.I was fortunate enough to use the same book for my first 3 calc classes, which allowed some great continuity in learning, and cross referencing of similar concepts from other chapters.I'd recommend this book to all teachers.It's even OK for self study.I can only hope my upcoming ODE class uses a text written by these talented authors.

The New Standard in Calculus Instruction
This review is a shorter paraphrasing of a much longer and more completereview I wrote just before my computer crashed. I will be bitter for a longtime.

Calculus is difficult to learn. No textbook can ever be"Calculus by Osmosis." "Larson/Hostetler" acknowlegesthis, and acknowledges at the same time the 21st century.

The design ofthe book is spare, colorful and elegant, highlighted by computer-generatedillustrations, an average of one per page, of graceful volumetric formsrotated about their axes and simple, well constructed charts and diagrams.Students of today, used to media that demands nothing from them, willappreciate the designers' capitulations to their needs to have their eyesheld by color and shape, to be manipulated around a page by something morethan text.

The book is more than instructionally sound. Its examplesillustrating each discrete concept, each clearly delineated and set apartin its own section, are the simplest available; they are standards. Butmore than that, its problem sets, though enormous, are broken up into thedifferent instructional approaches that they take. And these approaches areexhaustive. They examine calculus concepts from every possible angle,including possibly some that didn't exist prior to the publication of thisbook.

This book is published at a time when many are debating thesurvival of the book. You are reading this review on the Internet, and areaware of the explosive ability of this medium to inform. The issue is notyet decided, and many would potentially exile the book to the status of anart form, like fencing.

Larson and Hostetler hedge their bets, and haveproduced multimedia companions to this book ( or maybe just awebsite, I'mnot sure.) This reviewer has not seen these.

Whatever the case, studentstoday still overwhelmingly use books in the classroom. This book is afitting bridge between the current state of affairs and whatever media ofinstruction are to come. It is the best available. ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for
TRADING CHAOS
SECOND EDITION

"As a trader and an author for over fourteen years in stocks, futures, and options, it still amazes me when I read a book that teaches me new approaches to the market. This book is one of these amazing books that can teach the novice or the professional something important to take them to the next level of their trading. It is a must read for everyone interested in looking at the markets in a new way."
–George Fontanills, President Emeritus, Optionetics

"Bill and Justine Williams, two of the truly great teachers of market action, have written an outstanding book. It not only covers the psychology of personal trading but provides one with a well defined, coherent trading plan. This book is must reading for any serious trader, whether a beginner or experienced veteran."
–John R. Hill, President, Futures Truth Company

"What Bill Williams does best is raise questions and doubts in the minds of his readers. But, even better, he then provides wonderful new choices for thinking and acting. He has a deft lightness in his writing and a seriousness of purpose that drew me in like a magnet."
–Rodney Napier, PhD, head of The Napier Group
coauthor, The Courage to Act and Groups: Theory & Experience (now in its seventh edition) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Trading Method that works.
I would have given this book five stars if it did not have 'chaos' in its title. The books is not about chaos theory, it is about trading.
The second edition is really a sequel to another book by Bill Williams: New Trading Dimensions. This book completes the trading methods explained by Bill.
Many like me have used his 'Alligator' to identify trading opportunities. However, the Alligator did not provide for efficient exits. This book completes the picture by discussing appropriate exit strategies and also methods for counter trend trading. Just for this piece of advice, the book is well worth its price. ... Read more

Book Description

This book combines traditional mainstream calculus with the most flexible approach to new ideas and calculator/computer technology. It contains superb problem sets and a fresh conceptual emphasis flavored by new technological possibilities. Chapter topics cover functions, graphs, and models; prelude to calculus; the derivative; additional applications of the derivative; the integral; applications of the integral; calculus of transcendental functions; techniques of integration; differential equations; polar coordinates and parametric curves; infinite series; vectors, curves, and surfaces in space; partial differentiation; multiple integrals; and vector calculus. For individuals interested in the study of calculus.

Book Description

Ideal for the single-variable, one-, or two-semester calculus course, Calculus of a Single Variable, 7/e, contains the first 9 chapers of Calculus with Analytic Geometry, 7/e. For a description, see Larson et al., Calculus with Analytic Geometry, 7/e.

Reviews (7)

average textbook
This is your average math textbook.I haven't had any problems with it.It gives pretty good examples and explanations for each section.

My advice - don't do it alone.
This book is good because it give you clear (easy) examples of the material it is explaining. The practice problems are also very good because they start off from the most basic then progress to advanced. This books has a lot of practical real world problems. Some of the material can be difficult at times, that's why I suggest you purchase "3,000 Solved Problems in Calculus (Schaums Solved Problems Series)" in addition to this book. The Solved Problems Series helps when you're studying quick examples just before the test.

Advanced Calculus... for dummies
I attended the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, and this book was issued to me.It has got to be the most helpful, easily understood, and well written calculus books ever to find its way to a school.The illustrations help visual learners to "see" what a formula looks like in three dimensions in latter chapters, and the practice sets go in order of necessity of learning (i.e. - early problems develop skills necessary to answer later problems, with no monotonous repetition of the same concepts as in most math books). It also has reference pages for basic formulas, so it becomes an invaluable tool for later calculus classes.

The Best of the Best
I have taught calculus for over 20 years, from about half a dozen books:Thomas, Swokowski, Anton, Stewart, and others. Two years ago our universityadopted the 6th Edition of Larson. As a pedagodical tool, this text is headand shoulders about all the others. The text uses abundand graphics, aclear design, concise writing, thoughtful examples, and carefully craftedexercises to make calculus accessible to students. I have never had so manystudents volunteer compliments about a text. This text is simply the"best of the best."

Great Book
I used this book as a student.It is excellent. ... Read more