Product Description: This book offers the sound presentation of mathematics, useful pedagogy, clear and well-constructed writing style, superb problem-solving strategies, and other qualities that have made the Martin-Gay series so successful. Exceptionally interesting and practical real-world applications throughout the book capture readers' interest, while Martin-Gay's streamlined problem-solving process develops and hones their problem-solving skills. New features include Spotlight on Decision-Making applications, revised Chapter Projects, Real-World Chapter Openers, Vocabulary Review sections, video icons, and Study Skills sections. For readers interested in learning or revisiting essential skills in beginning and intermediate algebra through the use of lively and up-to-date applications.
Intermiate Algebra Martin-Gay Hardback Got exactly what I wanted & it arrived in 48 hours with standard delivery. Very pleased!
Good Math Book The chapters are divided up well. The vocabulary is very clear. The end of chapter exercises are the best part of the book. they are a great way to test yourself before the exam. they are ordered progressively based on difficulty, so you can work your way through them quickly.
review of the complete Intermediate Algebra package My book came in a package with the Student Solutions manual and a one time use access code for Course Compass.
First off, there is a huge disconnect between this book and Course Compass. For instance, in section 3.5 (starting page 181) the author introduces Standard form but never goes into how it works. There is no section devoted to putting equations in that form, or why that form is important. In Course Compass, the section 3.5 homework contains many problems with Standard Form. The problems in the 3.5 section online are also far harder than the ones in the book. So if you practiced the book homework and then went online to do the homework for class in Course Compass, you still may not be prepared. Often the book has easier problems to work than Course Compass.
Martin-Gay seems to assume that everyone who uses this book will have a really good math professor, because a lot of concepts are not explained. This is infuriating for someone taking the class online through their college. Sometimes I felt like Martin-Gay was hinting at "just do this and this" rather than "this is why this concept is important." This is annoying.
The Student Solutions manual is not divided into sections. It is a pain to look through as each section is hard to find. Oftentimes the solutions are not explained. I could have sworn that was the point of a solutions manual--to explain the process of solving a problem. Apparently I was mistaken. In some instances the solutions manual is no better than the back of the book.
Course Compass, the online component of this text, is buggy and slow. Even worse, Course Compass is not compatible with Mozilla Firefox and Course Compass is barely compatible with Internet Explorer 7. There are so many glitches in IE 7 with Course Compass that it is embarassing. Course Compass works best with IE6. The help with solving homework is oftentimes pointless and sometimes I have had a hard time understanding what the computer wants, because if it is not put in just right the answer is wrong.
Overall, this textbook and the package it came with are a less than complete set for Intermediate Algebra. The textbook needs to explain more. The solutions manual needs to be easier to search through. And Course Compass needs to be compatible with Firefox and IE7. I cannot fathom why my college still uses this textbook.
Intermediate Algebra Book I was very impressed with how fast the book arrived. It also arrived in great condition. I would definately consider doing business with this vendor again.
Book needs more explanations and less fluff Book needs more explanations on problems and less "Study habit reminders" and other fluffy stuff that I just skip over. What student has time to read the "extra optional stuff"? In my humble opinion, this book doesn't explain problems well. It doesn't explain WHY. It assumes you know WHY problems are solved in certain ways.
For example, on page 110, she throws a property at you:
"If A is a positive number, then | X | < a is equivalent to -a < X < a."
It would really help me understand this property if I knew WHY| X | < a is equivalent to -a < X < a.
The answer book should explain more also - especially for problems that are different from the examples.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
