Intermediate Algebra [With Online Access]

I just wanted to freshen up on my Algebra. It has been years since I was in school and haven't really used it in some time. I figured with my daughter getting older this would be a a great way for me to freshen and be able to help along as needed! The book is easy to follow an very explanatory .

This semester (Spring 2009) for the first time I used McKeague's Intermediate Algebra to teach the subject at a California community college campus. Making the transition from Bittinger/Ellenbogen, and having been used to their online management system (MathXL) I was at first a bit uncomfortable with the new textbook, but after a few weeks things started rolling as usual. In fact Cengage (which recently purchased the Thomson Learning) also offers iLrn, an online course management system for many of their books and I was able to get the students signed on there for submitting homework, exams, viewing videos, accessing tutorials and other math resource pages. Overall the text is very user-friendly and meanwhile it is designed for those students who do not intend to continue their studies into the so-called hard sciences (which typically require a more intense 5-unit course in college algebra delving deeper in some areas such as solving 3x3 systems of equations with matrix methods, sequences and series, conic sections, and a heavier emphasis on technology usage.) However every section of McKeague contains applied/word problems which are highly appreciated by the students in the humanities and social sciences, who are often not too concerned with the technical details of a math topic as much as with its real life usages. We are in fact en route to covering the entire 10 chapters of the text this semester and also assigned a 10% optional extra credit project from the many suggested group/research topics, that the students can choose to submit by the last week of the instruction. In brief, having used McKeague was a welcome change and I am glad it was suggested to me by the college department managers this semester. The only issue is the high price tag, a problem for many students. In any event I look forward to working with the newest 8th edition in a future academic year.

This semester (Spring 2009) for the first time I used McKeague's Intermediate Algebra to teach the subject at a California community college campus. Making the transition from Bittinger/Ellenbogen, and having been used to their online management system (MathXL) I was at first a bit uncomfortable with the new textbook, but after a few weeks things started rolling as usual. In fact Cengage which recently purchased Thomson Learning also offers the iLrn online course management system for many of their books, and I was able to get the students signed on there at the outset of the term for submitting homework, viewing videos, accessing tutorials and other math resource pages. Overall the text is very user-friendly and meanwhile it is designed for those students who do not intend to continue their studies into the so-called hard sciences (including the math, physics, engineering majors who typically take a more intense 5-unit course in college algebra and get into more depth in some areas such as solving 3x3 systems of equations with the elimination and the matrix methods.) For instance, McKeague does not cover sequences and series, or the conic sections in enough depth, and the technology usage is less widespread or emphasized compared to some other texts which cater to a natural science and engineering track group of students. However every section of his book contains applied/word problems which are highly appreciated by the students in the humanities and social sciences that are not too concerned with the technical details of a math topic as much as with its real life usages. We are in fact en route to covering the entire 10 chapters of the text this semester and also assigned a 10% optional extra credit project from the many suggested group/research topics, that the students can choose to submit by the last week of the instruction. In brief, having used McKeague was a welcome change and I am glad it was suggested to me by the college department managers this semester. The only issue is the high price tag, a problem for many students. In any event I look forward to working with the newest 8th edition in a future academic year.

I've taught Intermediate Algebra for the past 5 years, and this is the best Intermediate Algebra text I've ever seen. The sections are clearly organized with many more worked examples than in most textbooks. The problems sets are excellent also. You won't find anything better in Intermediate Algebra: I've seen the rest, GO WITH McKEAGUE CAUSE HE'S THE BEST!

This text book starts at the beginning, with each lesson progressing a step further. The language and examples are clear. Particularly noteworthy are the study guides. Follow them faithfully, keep plugging away, and you WILL master Algebra!