Algebra for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: Look Elsewhere
Review: This is an ok text for college students trying to remember the major concepts of high school algebra, or even for the beginner who wants easy down to earth explanations of the major concepts, but if you are trying to LEARN algebra, this text is not for you. I bought it because after reading the first few pages I noticed that the writing was concise and informative. I also noticed that the book was large and so concluded (quite falsely) that the material was covered in depth. No. The author will explain the major concepts well, but won't get into the nitty gritty (like how fractional exponents work, or even how a cube or fourth root works). She will just shove some algebraic equivalences your way almost as if she is expecting her readers not to care about what is really going on behind the algebra. She gives helpful tips and shortcuts for doing operations, but no proof style analysis of concepts. And there are no excercises to speak of. If you want a soaring overview of the math you learned in high school, this is definitely the book for you. If you want to learn algebra, look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: This Does Never Help Me
Review: Where are the sections on new Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree albums. I failed colege algebra because I didn't have them all.