Understanding Elementary Algebra with Geometry: A Course for College Students

by Lewis R. Hirsch, Arthur Goodman

Hirsch and Goodman offer a mathematically sound, rigorous text to those instructors who believe students should be challenged. The text prepares students for future study in higher-level courses by gradually building students' confidence without sacrificing rigor. To help students move beyond the "how" of algebra (computational proficiency) to the "why" (conceptual understanding), the authors introduce topics at an elementary level and return to them at increasing levels of complexity. Their gradual introduction of concepts, rules, and definitions through a wealth of illustrative examples -- both numerical and algebraic--helps students compare and contrast related ideas and understand the sometimes-subtle distinctions among a variety of situations. This author team carefully prepares students to succeed in higher-level mathematics.

Genres: Mathematics

704 pages, Hardcover

First published November 19, 2001

Reviews

[Spunkyblah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an adequate elementary algebra text that includes a good range of topics and applications. The placement of the introduction to graphing in the middle of the text is a bit odd -- I skip it and come back at the end of the course. The biggest problem for me is that I felt too many problems had integer answers or solutions. Integration of fractions into more examples and exercises would help students maintain their grasp of fractions. Also, it would be great if the teacher's edition came with alternate examples in the margins to pair with given examples in the text. Yes, I can come up with my own, but it saves a lot of time! Without them, not only does the teacher have to come up with alternate examples, but (s)he must check that they aren't the same as section exercises and chapter review problems.

[Jae Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's algebra! It's awful! That's just my personal feelings on all things math. Sincerely, a victim of dyscalculia.