Reviewed by Mingshen Wu, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Stout, on 8/22/2016.
This book is a comprehensive textbook. It does cover all the materials that we need to cover by our college mathematics course MATH-120 and … read more
Comprehensiveness rating: 1 read less
This book is a comprehensive textbook. It does cover all the materials that we need to cover by our college mathematics course MATH-120 and MATH-121.
This book does not provide an effective index and glossary. However, users can use the content list to find the section needed. Yes, this is a good question: the authors should spend a little more time to develop an index and glossary that may help students and other learners.
Accuracy rating: 5
The contents in this book are basic algebra and trigonometry. I did not find significant error. I believe it is unbiased.
Relevance/Longevity rating: 4
The contents are fundamental algebra and trigonometry concepts/skills that have not been changed too much over long period of time. So, it is fine. The teachers who use this book may add in other application problems as needed -- this happen to my teaching all the time whenever what textbook I use.
I do feel this book is a little bit too long though. Properly shorten it may be a good idea.
Clarity rating: 4
Yes, I think this book provides adequate context for the jargon/technical terminology used.
Based on my experience this book is easy to read by students.
Consistency rating: 5
I would say that it is not easy to keep internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework by these many authors. I was surprised that it is just fine. I feel it is quite consistent.
Modularity rating: 5
Yes, the book contents are arranged into 13 chapters. It is quite easy to select the topics needed to make a course with 3-credit, 4-credit, or 5-credit. This book certainly provides enough optional contents for our sequence of two 4-credit courses (algebra and trigonometry)
Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5
Yes, the topics in the text are presented in a logical, clear fashion.
Interface rating: 4
I reviewed this book using the online book version. Book loading is relatively slow. Navigating from chapter to chapter online takes a while to load. This book has over a thousand pages!
Once it loaded up, the text is clear, the pictures are very nice, too.
Grammatical Errors rating: 3
I didn't see grammatical errors.
Cultural Relevance rating: 5
This book definitely is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way. This book should be acceptable by all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds including international usage.
Comments
1. For convenience, I would suggest the authors to add an index and/or glossary that may help students to learn.
2. Some chapters were a little bit too long. Try to avoid including several quite similar examples.
3. The online content list has no page number -- I am not sure the paper copy since I didn't see -- better add it on. It would be nice if user can online navigate using page numbers.
Reviewed by Robert Strozak, Senior lecturer, Old Dominion University, on 6/21/2017.
This book covers more than I require in PreCalculus I, and may be useful in our PreCalculus II course.… read more
Comprehensiveness rating: 4 read less
This book covers more than I require in PreCalculus I, and may be useful in our PreCalculus II course.
Accuracy rating: 5
I didn't find any mistakes or content irregularities.
Relevance/Longevity rating: 4
I think the homework sets will need to be expanded or updated.
Clarity rating: 4
it is well written. I think my students can use it as a useful reference.
Consistency rating: 5
This book matches or current text very closely, so it will follow the same terminology and style we already use.
Modularity rating: 4
It has a series of "mini lessons" that can be used effectively.
Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5
The topics follow our current text, which I find very logical.
Interface rating: 5
The book is very "clean."
Grammatical Errors rating: 4
None, as far as I have found.
Cultural Relevance rating: 5
I see nothing that would be offensive.
Comments
Reviewed by Bill Heider, Instructor, Hibbing Community College, on 6/21/2017.
The text covers the topics you would typically expect to be covered in a combined college algebra/Trigonometry text. The text does allow for … read more
Comprehensiveness rating: 5 read less
The text covers the topics you would typically expect to be covered in a combined college algebra/Trigonometry text. The text does allow for students with varying levels of readiness, as the first two chapters covers topics typically encountered in an "Intermediate Algebra" course. Topics covered include all the algebra and trigonometry to prepare a student for an introductory level calculus course. Contextual problems are included throughout. A comprehensive index lists major topics and links to the appropriate page when utilizing the pdf file provided.
Accuracy rating: 5
Sampling homework sets and examples no errors were found.
Relevance/Longevity rating: 4
Applications are up to date. In addition, technology is incorporated in a generic way so as to allow for various models of calculators or utilizing software, web- based calculators or spread sheets. The book provides links to you tube videos and provides support for online homework using service including webassign, xyz homework and others.
Clarity rating: 4
Examples are presented in a clear manner. the book uses liberal diagrams and illustrations to facilitate understanding as appropriate.
Consistency rating: 5
Each section and each chapter follows the same pattern to facilitate usage of the book. Each chapter concludes with a summary and a set of practice problems in addition to problems at the end of each section of the text. In addition the book divides chapters into major sections
Modularity rating: 5
Each section of each chapter can be completed reasonably in a day or two of a typical course. There is some option to re order chapters and topics.
Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5
the book is well organized and laid out in a very understandable fashion. Each section starts with some motivation of the content, examples of problems, followed by relevant applications. Links to videos are included and the chapter ends with a comprehensive set of problems. The PDF file conveniently links both the table of contents and index to the relvant section, simplifying navigation to the desired sections
Interface rating: 5
the interface of the book is excellent. The pictures and diagrams are claer. The pdf file links both the table of contents and index to the appropriate page in the text.
Grammatical Errors rating: 5
No grammar issues.
Cultural Relevance rating: 5
Examples are generally culture and gender neutral. There is no bias in the presentation of material.
Comments
This book would be an excellent choice for any combined college algebra/Trigonometry course. Any course utilizing the text would be well prepared for a claculus course aor any other program requiring a typical background in these topics of mathematics.