Schaum's Outline of Elementary Algebra, 3ed: Third Edition

Currently at UK uni after not going to school for over 35 years, plus I did not really attend the last two years so I lost a lot of time in Math class. Even though these are an American series of books they work just as well in the UK. The book starts of at the beginning and the problems get harder as you go. It has 2000 fully solved problems which instead of being at the back of the book they are where the examples are, that way you can actually get used to the methods for solving the problems. I have a few from this now, great series of books for someone who is self learning or someone that wants to get a top up.

I am used to these books as I have used them before.

An excellent book to aid learning in basic and fundament Algebra. Easily read and understood. Has hundreds of solved problems set out step by step as well as other to enhance learning. Used extensively in tutoring this area of mathematics.

Some people complain about the answers posted right under the short practice sequences. I wish more math books followed this configuration. For me, immediate access to the answer helped me get the next practice question correct; therefore, more correct answers which reinforces proper technique. Also, much time is saved with this method from not flipping the book over for each problem. It's easy to take a piece of paper, fold it in half and cover the answers once the sequence is understood well. Another thing I love about this book is the small blocks with a very small change in each step. This is important for people who need extra work because the concepts don't come naturally to everyone. I struggled with math for years and when I found this book it finally started to make sense! I started with the first page and worked each page in sequence presented by Mr. Rich, taking as much time as I needed to really understand each concept, and worked each practice problem in the order presented, because the problems also add complexity within the block of concept practice. After I worked through this book, I took the class at the local community college, easily made an A and also picked up some of the more subtle concepts from the classroom work. My only complaint is that there are a few wrong answers in this text, so I did get a more advanced math person to look at those as I came across them. This purchase was a book to share, probably the third or fourth copy I've purchased for other people who struggle as I did. I highly recommend this book for people who struggle with math and really want to learn!

Easy to understand, great examples

Schaum's always produce high quality books to learn

I use this book as a teacher of the GMAT. Adult students frequently complain that it has been too long since they were in a math class. This book does a great job of getting my students back into math mode. The drill questions are very quick and therefore satisfying. If you aren't a "quant" you need decent reinforcement to keep going through a math set. This book does that. It satisfies the teacher's need for the student to reacquaint with exponent rules/number properties/remainder theory/etc. And it satisfies the student's need to feel like he/she is making progress. I've taught over 2500 students in the past 3 years and have recommended this book hundreds of times. The students who actually do (not just look at) the problems have made substantial score improvements. The biggest challenge is getting a student to actually do the drills. You have to physically do the problems. Scribble something down. Don't pretend you calculated in your head. Most students will stare at the page and convince themselves they know what they are doing. Huge fail for the student. With the answers located directly below the question, it is easy for a student to think he/she is confirming knowledge prematurely. Pros - Substantial drills - Succinct content - Relatively few errors (as compared with several other primers in this space) Cons - Answers directly below questions (only a problem for students selling themselves short, academic laziness)

I was surprised and partially disappointed with both this book and the education system in a nearby county that much of graph plotting has been taken out of Algebra I and placed into Geometry. I may be mistaken in my assumption that teaching graphing should be done in Algebra as well as geometry. Other than that issue it is well written and provides a clear methodology and practice for learning the essentials of Algebra I