Trigonometry the Easy Way

Rating:
Summary: It's the easy way but somewhat incomplete way
Review: I have read second edition of this book.I like the early chapters of this book. It's fun and easy to understand.
But there are some major errors and the book explains some concepts in a too much incomplete inductive way.
To begin with, the standing wave formula in the chapter 9 is different from the formula on many other college physics books.
This book says it Y=Asin(kx)sin(wt). But all other college physics books say it Y=Asin(kx)cos(wt).:-<
Another example, the answer to the exercise number 47 of the chapter 10 of this book, there is only one value for the x. Actually, there are two values. And if you seleted the same way with this book to solve this problem, you have to consider another value. Not just discard the extraneous root! Since the root value have to be interpreted to a value for the cosine as well as sine, because the quadratic equation formed exactly same with the case of cosine.
Additional example is the answer to the exercise number 57 of the chapter 10. The book omits two values. This error is very related with the concepts of chapter 12.
Furthermore, the book explains some concepts in a too much incomplete inductive way. An inductive way does not guarantee a theorem is true(well, the mathematical induction is an exception) . So it must used in a careful way. But this book abuse it. For example, see the exercise number 41 of the chapter 14. The book explains(actually make reader think by solving a problem) the existance of the polar triangle by just calculate a single instance of a spherical triangle. I think it must be presented by proving cosBcosC-sinBsinCcosa equals to -cosA by applying the law of cosines for sides and the fact sinBsinC becomes bc(1-(cosA)^2)/((sina)^2).Despite of the fact it may lead to a clumsy algebric experience.
In conclusion, although you may become friendly with the trigonometry functions with this book, you are still ambiguous and skeptical about some of the trigonometric concepts.You have to create your own exercises to make sure what you've learn from this book.:-<

Rating:
Summary: Trigonometry the easy way
Review: I purchased this book with the intent of teaching myself trigonometry - but after three chapters, I found I couldn't slog through the stupid fantasy story the book's structured around. I mean it, it's godawful, and renders the book entirely unreadable. I'm now going through Peter Selby's _Geometry and Trigonometry for Calculus_, which is far, far more palatable and straightforward.

Rating:
Summary: It's a Decent Book
Review: I think Trigonometry the Easy Way is a fairly good book. I read it, it made sense to me, and the storyline was rather interesting. It does have some problems: The exercises at the end of each chapter are much harder than what was covered in the main part of the chapter, there are relatively few examples, and the principles of trigonometry are introduced in an unclear way. An example of this is, "Will you get sick to the subject!" Recordis cried. You always go off on tangents!" "Very well," the king declared. "We will call the other ratio the tangent ratio." Overall it was pretty good book for people wanting to learn trigonometry in a fun way.

Rating:
Summary: Trigonometry The Easy Way
Review: This book is terrific! My friend, a lifelong math-phobe, was making a last-ditch effort to pass Trigonometry -- the final class she needed in order to graduate with her Bachelor of Science degree. She was trying again for the third time (both her previous attempts had ended in WPs) when she found Trigonometry The Easy Way. The biggest problem she was having was this: while the college textbook gave the formulas, it didn't give her the "why" that she needed in order to understand when the formulas needed to be applied. Memorizing formulas is one thing; understanding when to use them is quite another. She and I (a reknowned math-moron) formed a study group, using Trig The Easy Way. We found that it filled the gaps, allowing both of us to gain a basic understanding of the reasons behind trig. It's written in a simple, fun, storybook-style, and it explains the practical reasons behind the formulas, not just the dry calculations. By using Trig The Easy Way in conjunction with her textbook, my friend passed her class. She made a B, in what had previously been an impossible subject. I can't recommend this book highly enough for people needing a simple way to understand a difficult subject. And in fact, now that she's studying for her doctorate in psychology, she's planning on buying a copy of Statistics The Easy Way, too. You can't argue with success.

Rating:
Summary: Don't you dare buy this book!
Review: This is by far the worst workbook I have ever encountered. I would give this piece of crapp "negative infinity stars" just to express my anger, if it were possible. I have spent a month and a half of my summer studying for trig using this book which ended up as a waste of effort and, most importantly, time. The summer is the only time where can I boost my brain and get ahead of everybody, and even sometimes become smarter than the teachers (hee!hee!).
The thing that annoys me the most was the blasted organization of this book. The stupid fairy tale was the entire gist than learning trig. Each chapter was focused on a dilemma faced by the king and his servants, and hardly anything about trig. It took me 3-4 days just to interpret each chapter due to these: the lack of examples, the lack of practice following the lesson before the new stuffs are taught (I call it "try it"), the tone is for a 8 year old (hey, wow! a 8 year is learning trig), and learning the materials can be a toil since the informations are, rather than stated directly like most workbooks, implied in the story, meaning you will waste time rereading the stupidstory again and again trying to comprehend it. Another thing, you have to understand the story in order to actually learn trig in T.E.W (who said that!).
Mr. Douglas A. Downing has written a pain in the head. Why does he have to teach us trig by the usage of a gay fairy tale. He could have taken an easier turn by just teaching trig directly to us instead of deriving ways to make the story relevant to trig, then we are more into the story (a reason why I didn't purchase Calculus the Easy Way). You have to give him credit for being creative but all his works just turned out to be B.S. Maybe he was on crack. One thing is for certain, I will never purchase anything with the name Douglas A. Downing on it.

Rating:
Summary: Don't you dare buy this book!
Review: This is by far the worst workbook I have ever encountered. I would give this piece of crapp "negative infinity stars" just to express my anger, if it were possible. I have spent a month and a half of my summer studying for trig using this book which ended up as a waste of effort and, most importantly, time. The summer is the only time where can I boost my brain and get ahead of everybody, and even sometimes become smarter than the teachers (hee!hee!).
The thing that annoys me the most was the blasted organization of this book. The stupid fairy tale was the entire gist than learning trig. Each chapter was focused on a dilemma faced by the king and his servants, and hardly anything about trig. It took me 3-4 days just to interpret each chapter due to these: the lack of examples, the lack of practice following the lesson before the new stuffs are taught (I call it "try it"), the tone is for a 8 year old (hey, wow! a 8 year is learning trig), and learning the materials can be a toil since the informations are, rather than stated directly like most workbooks, implied in the story, meaning you will waste time rereading the stupidstory again and again trying to comprehend it. Another thing, you have to understand the story in order to actually learn trig in T.E.W (who said that!).
Mr. Douglas A. Downing has written a pain in the head. Why does he have to teach us trig by the usage of a gay fairy tale. He could have taken an easier turn by just teaching trig directly to us instead of deriving ways to make the story relevant to trig, then we are more into the story (a reason why I didn't purchase Calculus the Easy Way). You have to give him credit for being creative but all his works just turned out to be B.S. Maybe he was on crack. One thing is for certain, I will never purchase anything with the name Douglas A. Downing on it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to trig - an inductive approach
Review: Trigonometry the Easy Way is an excellent way to learn trig. The best thing about this book is author's teaching method: it is completely inductive. The book is in the form of a fantasy story that takes place in an imaginary kingdom. The reader discovers trig as the characters in the story discover it. From their experiences, the characters draw principles or formulas of trigonometry. Most math books take a deductive approach: they present the general principles first, then apply them. I find that the inductive approach works much better, because the student learns to understand, rather than memorize, the principles. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good Idea, Disappointing Story
Review: Twenty years after my only trig course, I thought this book would provide a good review. The word "easy" in the title was a big seller. Unfortunately the book uses a rather silly story to tie together the various chapters, and the number of fully-worked-out problems is minimal.