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Summary: As Someone Who Always Struggled with Algebra ...
Review: . . . and with algebra story problems in particular, I found that the books I consulted on the subject were often dense and confusing, with insufficient (for me) explanations or none at all. Then, I got a copy of "How to Solve Word Problems in Algebra" from Amazon. This is the book I wish had been used to introduce me to the subject in the first place. It is written in easy-to-understand language that is never intimidating (yet at the same time manages not to be condescending). The thirteen chapters are organized by problem type - "Numbers", "Time, Rate, & Distance", "Mixtures", etc. Each chapter is packed with practice problems of varying difficulty, answers, and (most usefully) clear, step-by-step explanations. "How to Solve Word Problems in Algebra" has helped me improve my grades, test scores-and confidence. Highly recommended if you are (or are the parent or teacher of) a beginner, are finding algebra word problems especially difficult, or would just like to improve your efficiency in this area.
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Summary: Excellent supplement for Algebra Textbooks
Review: As an algebra teacher for 30 years, having taught at the junior high, high school and college levels, I have observed that students struggle with word problems more consistently than any other area. This book is the best source I've seen for alleviating some of the stress and difficulties students have with word problems. It makes an excellent supplement to any elementary or intermediate algebra textbook.
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Summary: A great study source for understanding word problems
Review: Easy to Read. Easy to follow. Very helpful for those who fear algebra word problems. A must buy, and worth every penny!!
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Summary: This book helped me pass College Algebra I
Review: I am a math phobic. Unfortunately, I had to take Algebra I as a basic requirement last semester. Every word problem on the final exam could be answered by studying the examples in this book. After doing a few, you'll actually find that you're LEARNING how to do the problems on your own, without having to constantly refer back to a textbook. I never thought I'd say this, but I hope there are more word problems in my next Algebra course!
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Summary: Excellent book with structure and sense
Review: I bought this book (and about ten others) this summer to help my children improve their algebra word problem skills. The book does a great job of providing a structure by offering mini-algorithms for solving common algebra problems such as mixtures, time and distance, coin mixes. Each problem is superbly explained with a system that child can at first use to solve the problem even though he/she is not actually "getting" it. However, they do get it soon enough. I did each chapter with my children and then had them do the test problems. The exercise problems are a bit tough and could have been simpler. In fact I ended up making supplementry problems to help them ease into the concepts. But no matter, I still consider this book heads above others. This book is a must even if your child is doing well in math. Charan Langton, Author of The Reading Lesson - Teach your child to read in 20 Easy Lessons.
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Summary: Very logical! Very Easy!
Review: I have taught Algebra and Algebra II to high school and middle school students now for five years. Many teachers I know have simply skipped many of the word problems because they are too difficult to teach. That practice has never set well with me, yet I have not been able to do better at teaching this difficult subject. My own difficulty in explaining the procedure stems from the fact that Algebra comes so easily to me. I sometimes unknowingly skip steps, or I will solve a similar problem in a different manner because I see a shortcut. I bought this book last year, hoping that I can find a systematic way of explaining how to solve common algebraic word problems. What this book has enabled me to do is put a consistent, algorithmic, logical structure to common problems in Algebra. Many, many more of my students have been able to tackle word problems successfully. I was so impressed with this book that I shared it with colleagues who have now embraced it with enthusiasm.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, until the last problems
Review: If you are looking for help in understanding algebra problems then I definitely recommend this book. Inside you will find helpful hints and practice that will help you tackle a wide range of problems from distance, coins, finance, quadratics, work, numbers, etc. The Supplementary problems after each chapter are helpful, and are well explained. So if you make any mistakes in doing them you will be able to go through step by step and see where the mistake was.
I do have one complaint. While the book does a great job with explaining the answers throughout the the text, the authors unfortunately decided that no explanations were needed in the last (Miscellaneous) section. While some of the problems shouldn't be too hard, others are, and without explanation you will learn little. This wouldn't be much of a problem, except people who buy this book are most likely not very good or comfortable with word problems to begin with. Therefore, the most explanation possible should be included, and in this section it is not.
Still, if you want a good introduction, I would reccomend this book.
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Summary: Excellent reference book
Review: Mildred Johnson does something many, if not most, algebra books fail to do. Give the students not just an explanation of how to solve word problems but she gives the students enough problems of the same kind to practice so they can get the pattern engrained in their mind. I have used her book as a reference for my algebra classes for years and highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: How To Solve Word Problems In Algebra
Review: The supplementary problems are very difficult .
For people who are challenged in algebra word
problems (like myself) it is almost impossible to
to do the problems with any degree of success...
no matter how much time and effort you put into
solving them. Perhaps for the fortunate who are
strong in this area the book is commendable but for
mathematical cripples, such as I, it offers very little
help and practically denies me of any hope to continue.
In short, the supplementary problems are very
difficult, very confusing and discouraging.
Rating:
Summary: A great study source for understanding word problems
Review: This book is worth it's weight in gold. I used this book to teach my son algegra. I thought I knew algebra -- I was mistaken. The author provides simplified and easy to understand methods of solving algebra word problems that made the learning process fun. A blessing on her head.
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