Algebra Unplugged

THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS ON ALGEBRA CONCEPTS THAT THERE IS ON THE MARKET. I AM OVER 60 YRS. OLD AND WANTED TO STUDY ALGEBRA. I ONLY WISH THERE EXISTED MATH TEACHERS WITH THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE CONCEPTS AS CAN THESE GENTELMEN. WOULD GIVE 10 STARS IF POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!

My main problem with algebra is that no one ever told me what it really is, besides a bunch of equations. I also couldn't understand why factoring was so important. I'm happy to report that this book tells you what algebra is for and why factoring is important, and much more, and does do in a way that even the math-challenged can easily grasp. It also reassures the reader by saying that it's okay to need to read and reread the book to get a firm grasp on concepts. It is possibly the only math book I have ever read that didn't make me feel like an idiot, make giant assumptions, or skimp on the explanations. Although I don't think I will ever be close friends with math, this book makes it possible to negotiate an armed truce and (I hope) to succeed in college algebra after 10 years of doing no math more strenuous than balancing my checkbook.The only drawback to this book is the embarrassing number of typos, but they detract only slightly from the text.

This book, together with Practical Algebra, has bolstered my confidence, as I return to school after many years, for my MBA. Not having taken a math class in 30 years, my skills were beyond rusty. Algebra Unplugged is a light-hearted look at algebra concepts -- especially for the non-math majors among us -- and was a great start. I think I read through it in just a few days. The only problem for me was that it didn't contain any sample problems or self-tests, so I added Practical Algebra and that really helped.

As a student who somehow stumbled through algebra, calc and differenial equations I wish that this book had existed when I started out. It revealed "secrets" of algebra to me that would have made my life much easier had I known about it. Have you ever wondered whether algebra is just some game? Read this book to find out the rules. I couldn't put this book down and ended up finishing it in 3 days. It was a nice easy read with just the right mixture of humor and facts. I suggest that anyone who will take, is taking or has taken an algebra course should read this book. They give you great insight without pounding you on the head with a bunch of homework!

Having made it through college in the 70's without taking a math course, I am now wanting to learn algebra. I took it in high school and I was great at memorizing formulas. I now want to know the basis of math and I started with Algebra.Algebra Unplugged is the book that I have dreamed of. If I had this in high school I could have gone a long way. Every parent should buy it for their school age children and even read it themselves. It stresses concepts not formulas. It shows you why we do the things we do in algebra.After having it a week, I was solving polynomial equations on a drink napkin while flying from back east.Great book! Math teachers - have a bake sale and buy this for all of your students!