New Books Review

Book Review: Elementary Algebra (9780716709527): Harold R. Jacobs: Books

Hardcover

?tag=newbooksreview-20″ rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Finally! A readable first year algebra text!,

By A Customer

This review is from: Elementary Algebra (Hardcover)

This book is a kinder, gentler approach to first year algebra. Harold Jacobs actually writes math texts that are fun to read.

The sequence of this book is a little different than most algebra books. Jacobs starts off with one of those "Think of a number" puzzles, and shows with diagrams how it works, and then translates it into algebraic notation. This is the point of algebra: How do you say with numbers what you can diagram? This leads quite naturally into Cartesian coordinates and a discussion of some basic functions. Exponents, polynomials, factoring and quadratic equations follows a full treatment of linear equations and systems.

I use this book with homeschooled students, because they can actually take it home and study it. The homework problems come in four sets. Set I is review problems. Set II applies to the lesson and has all the answers in the back of the book. Set III is similar to Set II problems, but does not have the answers in the book. Set IV is some logic puzzles and brain teasers for students who love math. Answers to sets other than Set II are in the teacher’s guide to Elementary Algebra, along with some wonderful extra material and teaching suggestions. Amazon, why don’t you carry the transparencies for this text?

I highly recommend both this and Harold Jacob’s text on Geometry, a good, old-fashioned approach to Euclidean geometry and proofs. Enjoy! Really.

Outstanding math for visual learners,

By Rebecca G. Watson “Book mom” (Montclair, VA) -

  

This review is from: Elementary Algebra (Hardcover)

I began using this book to teach my own children after using Saxon Algebra I and II. I was amazed to discover that Jacobs covers ALL the algrbra from both Saxon Algrbra books in only one book and in much more simple language. (No Geometry is covered in Jacobs Algebra– but Jacobs Geometry covers it more completely that Saxon.) Each lesson starts with a comic strip or interesting picture and builds the lesson on the comics. After one year with Jacobs my children understand how to find the formulas they need and why problems are solved the way the are. Problems that were complex with Saxon are explained simply and visually with Jacobs. Test scores are way up and math is fun again.

excellent results with a gifted ten-year-old,

By A Customer

This review is from: Elementary Algebra (Hardcover)

The question last summer was, "What next, for a younger child who’s mastered all pre-algebra mathematics?" Was it too soon for algebra? And could a parent who hadn’t seen algebra in the last twenty years help the child cope? We ordered Harold R. Jacobs’ text, encouraged by reviews mentioning self-study, and began work in the fall, prepared to stop any time if the child found it difficult or stressful. Quite the contrary, it was mentally very stimulating — the lessons took us carefully from familiar arithmetic concepts to equivalent algebraic content, and presented each new subject one very manageable bit at a time. It was exciting to watch skills developing, and to see the child’s enjoyment and growing sense of competence. The little cartoons and often-intriguing Set IV exercises added fun and interest throughout, and made it easier to keep going, especially during those mid-school-year doldrums. This book was perfectly suited to our schedule, which allowed only three lessons per week, after school — we needed only about half an hour per lesson at first, then near the end, about an hour and a half. We’re looking forward to Jacobs’ Geometry book next year!

Hardcover

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