Book Description

Maple for Trigonometry presents the standard concepts of post-secondary trigonometry are presented from the perspective of a PC-based, interactive computer algebra system. Illustrated by pen and pencil exercises, the step-by-step instructions apply Maple to standard problems. The advantage of using computer algebra is shown by solving problems graphically and numerically prior to showing the exact analytic solution. Problem paradigms are given in Maple laboratory exercises. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A waste of space
The book if 400 pages long, partly because it takes 20 or so pages to describe what normally takes one page to describe. It is a waste of space. It could have gotten much more deep into trigonometry in the same number of pages that it used. It goes over the obvious a lot, and doesn't go over the more advanced things.

Clear and Wonderful!
At first I tried the Trig The Easy Way book, but the magical story method of teaching was rather annoying. I'm an adult, teaching myself math and phsyics.Because of the previous review, I bought this book, and it is simply wonderful. There are eight chapters, and I've only started the third, but all the trepidation I had about being able to understand trig is gone. The author really takes his time, using clear examples and much repetition, in a way that shows he understands you are starting from scratch, but does so without talking down to you. There is room on each page in the right hand column to work in, and the answers are on the same page (thank goodness!) but just below eye view. Every three or four subchapters has a short test, and then a longer test at the end of the chapter. He also provides real-life applied problems, to make the reason you use trig come alive. What a super, super teacher! I highly recommend this book, for anyone wanting to learn trigonometry!

This book should be a standard for ALL schools!!!
I, like many people I suspect, did not find math particularly fun to learn when I was in school. As time went on my jobs and my hobbies required me to learn Geometry and Trigonometry. When I discovered this book I figured that this was just another book that was going to do a so-so job of instructing the reader in how to do trig. Was I wrong!!! This book is written for the person who wants to learn trig but doesn't like it when the author talks (or writes) as if you already knew the subject. This book takes you step by step through trig from the basic triangle all the way up through sine wave functions. The writing of this book is easy to understand and there are hundreds (if not thousands) of sample problems to work. When you finish a chapter in this book, you really feel like you understand the material. THIS BOOK SHOULD BE USED IN EVERY SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY AS A TEXT BOOK FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN TRIGONOMETRY!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Boiled-down essentials of the top-selling Schaum's Outline series for the student with limited time

What could be better than the bestselling Schaum's Outline series? For students looking for a quick nuts-and-bolts overview, it would have to be Schaum's Easy Outline series. Every book in this series is a pared-down, simplified, and tightly focused version of its predecessor. With an emphasis on clarity and brevity, each new title features a streamlined and updated format and the absolute essence of the subject, presented in a concise and readily understandable form.

Graphic elements such as sidebars, reader-alert icons, and boxed highlights stress selected points from the text, illuminate keys to learning, and give students quick pointers to the essentials.

• Designed to appeal to underprepared students and readers turned off by dense text
• Cartoons, sidebars, icons, and other graphic pointers get the material across fast
• Concise text focuses on the essence of the subject
• Delivers expert help from teachers who are authorities in their fields
• Perfect for last-minute test preparation
• So small and light that they fit in a backpack!

Book Description

Thomas Hungerford's CONTEMPORARY COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND TRIGONOMETRY is known and well respected for its thorough integration of the graphing calculator, clear writing, and outstanding applications problems. Many adopters laud the use of real data in examples and exercises, and they appreciate the flexibility of the book's organization.This market-leading text is now accompanied by an outstanding array of innovative supplements that facilitate teaching and enhance learning, such as iLrn--a robust suite of online course management, testing, and tutorial resources for instructor and student, with vMentor live online tutoring. The text also includes the free Interactive Video Skillbuilder CD-ROM with MathCue, and a Book Companion Web Site featuring online graphing calculator resources. ... Read more

Book Description

Our view of the world today is fundamentally influenced by twentieth century results in physics and mathematics. Here, three members of the French Academy of Sciences: Alain Connes, André Lichnerowicz, and Marcel Paul Schützenberger, discuss the relations among mathematics, physics and philosophy, and other sciences. Written in the form of conversations among three brilliant scientists and deep thinkers, the book touches on, among others, the following questions:

Is there a "primordial truth" that exists beyond the realm of what is provable? More generally, is there a distinction between what is true in mathematics and what is provable?

How is mathematics different from other sciences? How is it the same? Does mathematics have an "object" or an "object of study", the way physics, chemistry and biology do?

Mathematics is a lens, through which we view the world. Connes, Lichnerowicz, and Schützenberger examine that lens, to understand how it affects what we do see, but also to understand how it limits what we can see.

How does a well-informed mathematician view fundamental topics of physics, such as: quantum mechanics, general relativity, quantum gravity, grand unification, and string theory?

What are the relations between computational complexity and the laws of physics?

Can pure thought alone lead physicists to the right theories, or must experimental data be the driving force? How should we compare Heisenberg's arrival at matrix mechanics from spectral data to Einstein's arrival at general relativity through his thought experiments?

The conversations are sprinkled with stories and quotes from outstanding scientists, which enliven the discourse. The book will make you think again about things that you once thought were quite familiar. ... Read more

Book Description

Clear, rigorous definitions of mathematical terms are crucial to good scientific and technical writing-and to understanding the writings of others. Scientists, engineers, mathematicians, economists, technical writers, computer programmers, along with teachers, professors, and students, all have the need for comprehensible, working definitions of mathematical expressions. To meet that need, CRC Press proudly introduces its Dictionary of Algebra, Arithmetic, and Trigonometry- the second published volume in the CRC Comprehensive Dictionary of Mathematics. More than three years in development, top academics and professionals from prestigious institutions around the world bring you more than 2,800 detailed definitions, written in a clear, readable style, complete with alternative meanings, and related references.From Abelian cohomology to zero ring and from the very basic to the highly advanced, this unique lexicon includes terms associated with arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry, with natural overlap into geometry,topology, and other related areas.Accessible yet rigorous, concise but comprehensive, the Dictionary of Algebra, Arithmetic, and Trigonometry is your key to accuracy in writing or understanding scientific, engineering, and mathematical literature. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Boo!
This work tries to teach intermediate algebra and some trig, but its approach is poor. I especially loved how the examples were extremely easy to solve, but the problems were impossible. I used this book for AlgII/Trig and Limits(Precalculus). Unfortunately, it required much use of my TI-89 to get my usual A+.

IT is not bad at all
I wanna be the best reader in the worl ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Use it for summer
First of all, this book is really thin. I got this book last summer, and it took me 2 days to finish. It is more like geometry, and very little trig in it (sin,cos,tan and that's it). This book covers like 10% of what I've learned last year(I took Hon. Precal-Trig). Use this to review geometry, not to learn trig in advance because there's almost no trig in it.

excellent intro to trig
My freshmen and sophomore students gained confidence this summer as they measured angles, learned formulas and made practical applications by surveying lakes, ramps and short cuts home. They are having fun with math this fall. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hornsby & Lial are masters of textbook design
As a Mathematics major, I have been subjected to the good, the bad & the ugly when it comes to textbooks.Of my mathematics texts, Hornsby & Lial definitely rise above the pack.

My Favorite Math Texts
I own four text books by Hornsby and Lial.Their books have been the colleges choice for two courses I've taken and my choice as a reference and backup to the other courses I've had.I wouldn't be without them.When atopic was unclear in my college text, I could refer to their presentationand always gain a better understanding of the subject.I totally disagreewith the reader from Florida regarding graphing calculators.I own two, aTI-82 and a TI-86, and had no experience prior to taking a particularcourse.The instructor was able to guide and teach all that was needed forthe course without loss of material to be covered.The engineer fromFlorida needs to take a closer look at his students.Most of these peoplehave been mastering electronic games and equipment from a very early age. I doubt that they would find plain 'ole graph paper and a pencil morestimulating and interesting.I'm a 52 year old grandmother and I suredon't. Hornsy and Lial get my vote everytime and thanks to on-lineordering, I'm only s few days away from receiving the best they have tooffer.

This book is absolutely horrible.....
The introduction of a graphing calculator, such as the TI-83, at this level of college course is absolutely confusing and ridiculous.Unless anindividual has previously learned the graphing calculator, the studentwinds up spending more time fighting learning the calculator than learningthe algebra.I am a professional engineer of over 15 years experience andhave tudored many students in algebra at the college freshman and sophmorelevel.I cannot recommend such a book or the implementation of suchteaching techniques for freshman and sophmore level college algebracourses.Students must learn the basics first, then learn such a beast asthe graphing calculator.The TI-83 is much to complex and compounds thestruggles of students trying to learn college algebra.College Algebra isalready a "beast" to most whom enroll in it.Don't add anotherlevel of frustration to the students and aggrevation to the teachers.Idont disagree that the graphical methods should be taught, but use plain'ole graph paper and a pencil.The web site is totally useless.TheGraphing Calculator Manual is not readily available through Amazon orBarnes and Noble.Teachers!!! Please put yourself in the minds of thestudents.Make learning a positive experience.This book coupled with theGraphing Calculator only puts a bad taste, aggrevation, frustration in astudents mind.Make learning a positive experience - DON'T USE THIS BOOK. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book
I just started to re-learn Algebra (for fun!), and I picked this up at the library. I really like this textbook! It's very easy to understand. ... Read more

Book Description

This undisputed leader in the field is the choice for instructors who wish to include a moderate review of algebra at the beginning of their precalculus level course in which graphing technology plays an integral role. The text introduces trigonometry first with a right triangle approach and then with the unit circle. The text's unparalleled exercises, motivating real-life applications, cutting-edge design, and innovative ancillaries and technology resources make it the most complete program available.

For a complete listing of features, see Larson/Hostetler/Edwards, College Algebra: A Graphing Approach, 3/e.

Book Description

Presents a thorough, no-frills introduction to trigonometry in the general context of functions and their graphs. Emphasizes the functional aspect of trigonometry including an introductory chapter on general ideas of functions and graphs. Covers exponential and logarithmic functions and the most important ideas from analytic geometry. Provides a large selection of exercises, half of them answered, ranging in difficulty from simple, straightforward checks on basic concepts, to problems that integrate several ideas and may involve applications. Features cumulative review exercises that cover groups of chapters. ... Read more

Book Description

Known for its student-friendly approach, this book starts with a unit-circle approach. With a focus on applications, it helps students investigate and understand the trigonometric functions, their graphs, their relationships to one another, and ways in which they can be used in a variety of applications. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Unusual and effective pedagogical tactics
Traditionally located after functions and before calculus, trigonometry combines elementary proofs with everyday applications. Smith follows this mold, but breaks step in a very positive manner. The conventional wisdom has been to consider the trigonometric functions to be the ratios of the sides of a right triangle first, and then generalize. In this case the general functions are followed by the special cases, and it works.
The functions are defined as coordinates on the unit circle and then it is on to the consequences of the definitions. Several obvious identities are immediately presented with proofs, reinforcing the functional approach to trigonometry, as well as introducing the concept of proof. After graphing and additional proofs of identities, the inverse functions are defined. Only then does right angle trigonometry make an appearance. The book closes with complex numbers, polar curves, and conic sections, with much of it being labeled as optional.
As is the case with books of this type, the majority of the problems are standard issue. However, some of them show a great deal of creativity. For example, if you wish to understand the path of Luke Skywalker's fighter as it attacks the Death Star, turn to page 207. And if you need to know how far Mr. T. must throw his grappling hook to catch the top of the building so that he can climb up and stomp the bad guys, turn to page 208. Such problems add spice to the text that will delight all readers with a touch of youth in their hearts.
All chapters end with a list of chapter objectives, key terms, summary problems, and an application for further study. There is an occasional historical note about certain topics and solutions to all odd problems appear at the back of the book. A calculator is required to do the majority of computational style problems.
There are some areas that are poorly done. The inverse trigonometric functions are poorly presented as the restricted graphs of the functions appear after the definitions. It would have been much clearer if the presentation had been more simultaneous. In the preface a technique called framing is introduced, being described as innovative and unique. Actually, it is nothing that the typical teacher of this material will fail to recognize. The taking of one cycle of the function and repeating it after suitable alterations is a standard way of presenting the periodic nature of trigonometry .
However, these weaknesses are in no way fatal, and this book is an excellent option for anyone looking for a textbook of trigonometry with the right mix of functions, proofs, and applications to everyday situations.
There is additional material for this book:

. An answer book for all problems;
. EXPTEST Question bank for IBM compatible computers;
. Instructor's manual;
. Solutions and study guide;
. Trigpak, a computerized tutorial for IBM compatible computers.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission. ... Read more