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Rating: 
Summary: saved the life of a mathematically challenged student
Review: Because of the unorthodox education I received, I have always had a lot of problems with math. Thanks to this book and Forgotten Calculus I was able to go from a background of only 2 years of HS math over 25 years ago and an elementary algebra class taken in college over 10 years ago and parlay that into a B in a Business Calculus class in only one semester!! Granted I had to work VERY VERY hard to do this, but I even managed to come pretty close to making an A. Bleau's books also teach you how to use a TI-83, a valuable skill and something I couldn't figure out how to do with a TI manual at all. I reviewed and bought a lot of other math books and none of them were anywhere near as good as these two. The only other books I'd recommend are Schaum's for extra practice problems.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Refresher Course for the Fearful
Review: Forgotten Algebra is written in a way that all math textbooks *should* be written. Math isn't supposed to be scary, and there's usually a very straightforward way to approach each problem -- this book shows you that way.That being said, Forgotten Algebra is designed for people who have been exposed to Algebraic concepts (perhaps in high school), but don't remember things like manipulating fractions, factoring, or the rules of exponents. (Wait! If those words made your spine shiver, no worries -- this book will take away that fear.) Of course, if you've never taken any kind of algebra, this book will be a bit over your head. Likewise, you don't need this book if you've recently taken algebra. Other than a few errors in the answer key (thus, the four stars), this book is well organized and quite good. It helped prep me for a college calculus course 13 years after high school, and it can help you too.
Rating:
Summary: Almost perfect.
Review: I am working on the third edition of Forgotten Algebra with a publication date of 2003. In the process I am reworking all the examples and problems. I would like the new edition to be error free. Thus far I have found six errors.
Page 288, prob 14
Page 290, prob 9
Page 301, prob 25
Page 302, prob 21
Page 303, prob 5
Page 305, prob 9
If you know of more, please send the info along WITH YOUR SOLUTION to me at P.O. Box 5928, Key West, FL 33045. That way, if the mistake happens to be yours, not mine, I will correct your work and return it to you. Thanks in advance.
Rating:
Summary: This makes math fun again
Review: I recently decided to go back to college, so I needed a book that would remind me of all the Algebra I had forgotten in the past ten years in order to pass a math placement exam. Not only did I pass the exam, but I did BETTER than most of the incoming Freshmen! I do have to agree with everyone else, that there are a few errors. However, there are so many practice problems in the book, that they can be overlooked. I only wish that EVERY problem was worked out in the back.
Rating:
Summary: Great Refresher!
Review: I recently decided to go back to college, so I needed a book that would remind me of all the Algebra I had forgotten in the past ten years in order to pass a math placement exam. Not only did I pass the exam, but I did BETTER than most of the incoming Freshmen! I do have to agree with everyone else, that there are a few errors. However, there are so many practice problems in the book, that they can be overlooked. I only wish that EVERY problem was worked out in the back.
Rating: 
Summary: There are TONS of errors in this book!!!!!
Review: I was real excited about this book because I havent taken math in over three years. I liked the simple explanations and refreshing review. There is plenty of space for practice and just enough problems to work so that the book is not jumbled with practice. The only gripe and I think this is important one , is that their are tons of errors! I am only on page 53 and I have found at least 6 errors. If you don't know your algebra or dont remember much you can be misled in your learning. I think this deters in the learning of the material. It also makes the explanations and answers confusing.
Rating:
Summary: There are TONS of errors in this book!!!!!
Review: I was real excited about this book because I havent taken math in over three years. I liked the simple explanations and refreshing review. There is plenty of space for practice and just enough problems to work so that the book is not jumbled with practice. The only gripe and I think this is important one , is that their are tons of errors! I am only on page 53 and I have found at least 6 errors. If you don't know your algebra or dont remember much you can be misled in your learning. I think this deters in the learning of the material. It also makes the explanations and answers confusing.
Rating:
Summary: Worked for me
Review: When I decided to go back to college to a very technical and challenging school after a 13 year hiatus, I figured I better brush up on some math, so I purchased this book. It did just what I wanted it to do: helped me remember everything I had already learned. I didn't want an extremely verbose textbook to read. I just neeeded brief descriptions and then LOTS of problems to work. This book fit the bill. As stated previously, there are some errors which can be frustrating. With all this said, I never felt that Algebra was very challenging, so it came back easily. I don't know how this book would work for someone who has struggled with Algebra, but the previous reviews seem very good.
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