Practical Algebra: A Self-Teaching Guide, 2nd Edition (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides)

It is not a comprehensive guide, but what it does very well (unlike most) is explain the mechanics and syntax, assuming the reader is a complete beginner. Its progression is logical and it rationalises every concept by description, illustration with exercises for the reader. It also highlights caveats. It doesn't go into great depth but that is not its aim. Instead it provides a solid overview for understanding and manipulating basic algebra, which is so critical for progression onto more advanced mathematics.

This is an excellent book which explains algebra in a easy to understand and systematic way. Highly recommended for students who struggle with algebra or for tutors/teachers who are looking for an excellent resource.

GREAT

I have so far only read up to chapter 5 - Fractions but already found the book really useful. I am studying A level maths in the UK and in a recent exam found I was a little slower than I would like in solving algebraic problems. So bought this book to improve my understanding and get a bit more practice. When the book first arrived I skimmed the book and thought, well, I know most of this already. But people fall down in algebra not because they don't understand algebra (which is rare) but because there will be little facets that they have a hazy or possibly incorrect understanding. This book, in my experience, fixes those grey areas and gives you a lot of practice. The reviews and book description seem to focus on people who are self-teaching themselves. Not sure why. This book is appropriate for anyone. Would be perfect for someone going from GCSE level maths to A level. Highly recommended.

Kudos to the authors. They made an easy to understand and follow title, full of interesting exercises. Every chapter has a review test, and every once in a while, there's a full review test covering topics from previous chapters, just to make sure you understood everything. Great refreshment course.

This book is more for the mature student reviewing Algebra after a lapse in education than for the young student taking Algebra for the first time. The book also assumes knowledge of basic arithmetic so if you cannot multiply or divide fractions, for example, you should try one of the Teach Yourself Mathematics/Basic Mathematics books before beginning this book. However, if you are comfortable in basic mathematics and need to review Algebra, this book is perfect. Incidentally, Peter Selby also wrote a pre-Calculus review of Geometry and Trigonometry which is also excellent; so if you are reviewing intermediate maths with a view to learning Calculus, give both books a go.

i am diappointed, book isnt as good as i expected, there are algebra books way better than this out there. i give 3 star

It's not immediately apparent that the book is written by Americans. Algebra is a tricky enough topic as it is without possible discrepancies and weird terminology from across the pond. The font is tiny and the pages look horrible because of this - again, hardly inspiring for such a tricky subject, slaving away over pages of miniscule font. Certainly wouldn't have bought this if I could have physically seen it first in a bookshop. Surely there are enough English writers capable of teaching the subject and presenting the topic in an easy-to-read format?

I recently returned to school intending to major in Forensic Science. I graduated from high school in 1992 and only had pre-algebra. When I took the placement exam it put me in Algebra I. I suppose that is pretty good since it meant that I hadn't forgotten the stuff I learned in high school, but it meant I would have to spend at least an extra year just getting caught up on math before I could even get into the science classes I needed for my desired major. I purchased several algebra books that weren't helping at all, then I found this one. I love this book. I spent 5 days working through the book from cover to cover. I also used a software program called "College Algebra Solved!" for the areas where I needed a little more help (like simplifying radicals). After spending those five days with the book and software I retook the placement exam and placed into precalulus (my placement score went from 34 to 85. That's a 51 point increase!). So, yes, you can teach yourself algebra with this book. Everything is explained well and there are lots of practice problems and self-tests. If you are looking to refresh or even teach yourself from scratch, this is the book.

I have tried to teach myself Algebra using several well-known text books - with limited success but a great deal of frustration. The books provide brief explanations and one or two (often poorly-chosen) examples. The "test" comes at the end of the chapter, and quite often the answer in the key are incorrect because the book was not properly proofread. This text, however, provides extremely clear explanations, numerous examples (including complete step-by-step solutions), and mini-quizzes immediately following the explanations. The answers to those mini-quizzes are provided immediately following the quiz (not at the end of the book), and so far I have found no wrong answers. At the end of each chapter there is a chapter test, with answers and explanations immediate following the test. At the end of each unit (all four of which contain three chapters), there is a unit test covering concepts from all three chapters. This text is the best self-teaching text I have ever used!

Good

I last had algebra at college in 1983 and hated it, so the prospect of taking algebra again in 2009 was more than daunting. I had forgotten everything I learned, and knew I'd better brush up. This book was everything I hoped it would be and more. I purchased it in June and spent the next two months working my way through the book while sitting at the pool. I found the explanations easy to understand, and liked the practice questions after each new concept. The writing attempts to be humorous and sometimes succeeds, but I never felt it was condescending, just funny. This book allowed me to return to school this fall with confidence, and honestly, I had an easier time in the algebra class than in any of the others, thanks to this book. My teacher commented on my ready understanding in class, and when I told her about my summer with this book she asked to see it. Her assessment upon returning the book to me: "Not pretty, but very good." I'm online now to see what else the authors have that might help me for next semester. I consider this book to be the best fourteen bucks I've spent in a long time. Not only has it taught me well, but when my teenagers have trouble in their algebra classes, I've been able to pull it back out and help them understand their lessons too.

the course work is very clear and the writers explain things very well. This is the book you should buy if you are getting back into mathematics----do the entire book and you are set for first year college algerbra