A Graphical Approach to College Algebra (3rd Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Hornsby & Lial are masters of textbook design
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Hornsby & Lial are masters of textbook design
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Math Texts
Review: 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 a topic was unclear in my college text, I could refer to their presentation and always gain a better understanding of the subject. I totally disagree with the reader from Florida regarding graphing calculators. I own two, a TI-82 and a TI-86, and had no experience prior to taking a particular course. The instructor was able to guide and teach all that was needed for the course without loss of material to be covered. The engineer from Florida needs to take a closer look at his students. Most of these people have been mastering electronic games and equipment from a very early age. I doubt that they would find plain 'ole graph paper and a pencil more stimulating and interesting. I'm a 52 year old grandmother and I sure don't. Hornsy and Lial get my vote everytime and thanks to on-line ordering, I'm only s few days away from receiving the best they have to offer.

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Math Texts
Review: 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 a topic was unclear in my college text, I could refer to their presentation and always gain a better understanding of the subject. I totally disagree with the reader from Florida regarding graphing calculators. I own two, a TI-82 and a TI-86, and had no experience prior to taking a particular course. The instructor was able to guide and teach all that was needed for the course without loss of material to be covered. The engineer from Florida needs to take a closer look at his students. Most of these people have been mastering electronic games and equipment from a very early age. I doubt that they would find plain 'ole graph paper and a pencil more stimulating and interesting. I'm a 52 year old grandmother and I sure don't. Hornsy and Lial get my vote everytime and thanks to on-line ordering, I'm only s few days away from receiving the best they have to offer.

Rating:
Summary: This book is absolutely horrible.....
Review: The introduction of a graphing calculator, such as the TI-83, at this level of college course is absolutely confusing and ridiculous. Unless an individual has previously learned the graphing calculator, the student winds up spending more time fighting learning the calculator than learning the algebra. I am a professional engineer of over 15 years experience and have tudored many students in algebra at the college freshman and sophmore level. I cannot recommend such a book or the implementation of such teaching techniques for freshman and sophmore level college algebra courses. Students must learn the basics first, then learn such a beast as the graphing calculator. The TI-83 is much to complex and compounds the struggles of students trying to learn college algebra. College Algebra is already a "beast" to most whom enroll in it. Don't add another level of frustration to the students and aggrevation to the teachers. I dont disagree that the graphical methods should be taught, but use plain 'ole graph paper and a pencil. The web site is totally useless. The Graphing Calculator Manual is not readily available through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Teachers!!! Please put yourself in the minds of the students. Make learning a positive experience. This book coupled with the Graphing Calculator only puts a bad taste, aggrevation, frustration in a students mind. Make learning a positive experience - DON'T USE THIS BOOK.