Rating: 
Summary: A very practical guide.
Review: I gave this book 4 stars because in order to give it 5; it would have to be perfect which means it would have to do the work for you, which this one does not. But it is very thorough and covers all of the topics starting from the incredibly simple to the extremely challenging. It builds up your knowledge in a straight forward manor as well as using humor. And let's face it, you need humor to get through 5 classes of math like I am facing. Seriously though, it is very thorough and it definitely requires that you work to be successful. But halfway through, I purchased the next book in the series and now, being on the last chapter, I have perused the list of books published by John Wiley & Sons to see how far I could go with their series and fortunately they have a good selection. So, if you are very looking for a thorough way to re-learn or refresh your mathematical skills, look no further.
Rating:
Summary: Very Very Good
Review: I gave this book 4 stars because in order to give it 5; it would have to be perfect which means it would have to do the work for you, which this one does not. But it is very thorough and covers all of the topics starting from the incredibly simple to the extremely challenging. It builds up your knowledge in a straight forward manor as well as using humor. And let's face it, you need humor to get through 5 classes of math like I am facing. Seriously though, it is very thorough and it definitely requires that you work to be successful. But halfway through, I purchased the next book in the series and now, being on the last chapter, I have perused the list of books published by John Wiley & Sons to see how far I could go with their series and fortunately they have a good selection. So, if you are very looking for a thorough way to re-learn or refresh your mathematical skills, look no further.
Rating: 
Summary: This not really a review
Review: I have a background in the liberal arts, but this semester I decided to switch to...computer science! Which means I also have to take math, physics, and chemistry. Bleh! I studied geometry in 9th grade (i'm 24) and took a semester of college algebra when I was 18. Now suddenly I need to know tan, cos, log, ln, limits, sequences, derivatives, differential equations.... And that's just first semester. Help me please! I don't even know what branch of mathematics this stuff fits into!I've read the reviews on this book and looked at the sample pages, and in general it looks like an effective way to learn algebra, but will it help me with my courses? Thank you!
Rating:
Summary: Great!!!
Review: I needed to refresh myself on math for some nursing classes and this absolutely did it!!! I would recommend this to anyone!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Learning Tool
Review: I purchased this book to help me get through a college Algebra class. It was much more informative that the class textbook.
The author practically saved my life in this class. There are plenty of explanations of the whys, hows and rules of Algebra. There are plenty of examples and practices. This book is very well laid out with great order of the topics covered.
I will probably keep this book and pitch my $100 college textbook when the class is over.
Rating:
Summary: An alternative to integrated math programs
Review: I purchased this book to help my daugther "relearn" her Alegbra after having an integrated math program for two years in her high school. The format of the book is easy to understand and it shows how to achieve the answers. My daughter has found the book enjoyable and feels more confident about her upcoming ACT test. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Completely understandable walk through of Algebra
Review: I recently had to get back into Math. I was not anxious since it had been about 10 years since I had to practice and test myself on Math. I asked my College Counselor (College of Marin) who recommended your book "Practical Algebra: A Self Teaching Guide". I was afraid!! But once I got into the book, from Page 1, I felt comfortable. I felt as if the instructor was there with me, supporting me and teaching me all at once. I felt completely at ease with the structure, the pace and the questions. Thank you so much for allowing my return to Math be so painless.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: i was looking for a book that would refresh my math skills for college and this book absolutely did that.you have to get used to the format first though. at first it was a little confusing and things didnt seem to flow but after reading it over a couple of times everything started to flow nicely and the math started making sense.so dont give up.
Rating:
Summary: I wish there were 6 stars
Review: I'd certainly award them to Mr. Selby and Dr. Slavin's book. I'm not finished with the text, but I'm learning so well that I KNOW I will have mastered the material. In fact, I just ordered the book which they recommend as a follow-up, "Geometry and Trigonometry for Calculus." They start out with baby steps -- literally simple addition and subtraction, and work up to fairly sophisticated algebraic expressions and problems. The student finds himself enjoying the material almost like it were a novel. Selby and Slavin give immediate answers for ALL the problems, so there's no frustration wondering if the problem is solved correctly. If the student misses a certain number of problems in a set, the authors recommend review of specific "frames" which cover the material. They treat the student with respect, making it clear that NO ONE (least of all someone who is motivated to study through their text) is a dummy. This is so much easier than trying to keep up with a math teacher who scribbles and then erases the material on a blackboard about as fast as he/she can write. I now know that self-paced learning is the way to go, at least for me. Many years ago, I failed calculus in college, and barely squeaked through college algebra and trigonometry. I fully intend to use this framework as a basis to repeat the course (even if via correspondence) and get this only blotch on an otherwise fine college career off my record. How sad that Mr. Selby has passed on, but how great it is that his books live still.
Rating:
Summary: Great review book!
Review: I'm returning to school after 16 years away from the textbooks and I felt the need to hone my algebra skills in preparation for chemistry. Sure, some of it was tough to muddle through, but math has never been easy for me, and it guided me through each step very logically and in a friendly tone. I've already recommended this to other math-challenged friends and siblings.
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