Precalculus mathematics in a nutshell: Geometry, algebra, trigonometry

Not at all helpful. Belittles algebra and lacks explanations. This book has nothing to do with precalculus unless you define pre-calc as all math before calc.

- If you want to a quick review on algebra, geometry and trigonometry, this book is for you. - If you want to use it as a supplement while you use I.M. Gelfand, Serge Lang and AoPS, this book is for you. - If you want to learn the subjects for the first time, then this book is not for you. Learn them with proper books like the ones from the authors I mentioned above. That is my take.

As a dyed-in-the-wool math-phobe (with but one year of high-school algebra and a year of high-school geometry 15 years earlier), I thoroughly chewed through this little book over a summer and then launched into the first semester of Calculus (taught in the traditional style, not "Calculus-reform style) at a rather rigorous Math/Science/Engineering oriented university. In that Calculus class, I generally got 100% on each quiz and exam (and most of my classmates with a more typical pre-engineering background did not). Take it for what it's worth, but I credit this book. Very compressed, but very clear. You will note that I successfully substituted this book for two semesters of the usual pre-calculus math sequence, and I doubt this would have worked for me if the book were missing any important pre-calculus material.

The book's title says it all. At a time when thousand-page tomes on basic geometry, algebra, and trignometry full of worthless color pictures have become commonplace; it is refreshing to see a book that shows just how simple and beautiful basic mathematics can be. I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates mathematics--not just students.

This is one of my very favorite math books of all time. As a survivor of the deplorable California education system in the sixties and seventies, I had to teach myself math because most of my teachers didn't either didn't know how to teach basic math or else they didn't understand it themselves. I used this book! I have had my copy for around twenty years and it is all beaten up and filled with highlighting and notes. I have shown it to friends whenever they needed help and they have asked to buy my copy off me, but I refuse to sell it. I send them here instead.Also, I recommended this book to a friend and walked her though the basics so that she regained her cofidence and knowledge enough to pass the GMAT within a couple of weeks! In my opinion, this book gives it all to you -- the basics -- without getting "cutesy" or patronizing -- which is what many of the new "easy to understand" precalculus books unfortunately do. Nor does it leave out substance, which is what you need if you are trying to pass or master this subject. What more could you ask?One thing to keep in mind, though, if you want to practice your math, use this book with an additional book of problems. There really isn't enough problems in the book for practice. But then, that was not the author's intention, anyway. You should know that when you buy it, though.

This book is a great tool for those who have been away from algebra, geometry, and trig for a short while. The author treats one to a 'no nonsense' crash course in basic concepts. This being the case, the book is fast paced and very crisp. There is not much 'hand holding' here. Topics are explained quite well and to the point with a good number of exercises. One caveat though. If you have been away from math for say 10 - 20 years you will often get lost wading through the material. The text does assume that one's thinking process is still attuned to basic skills such as the "two sign change" rule in a compound expression. Therefore if you find that you have forgotten the tricks involved in things like factoring you will be better served to first go with say "Practical Algebra: A self teaching Guide" and "Geometry and Trig for Calculus". Both by Selby et al. However, if you've been away from math for only a short time (< 5 years), by all means get this book.

This is one of the best concise texts on the subject of Precalculus Mathematics. It covers all one needs to know to make them comfortable in dealing with the deep dark world of higher mathematics. I found the book so outstanding that I use it as a precourse my Fundamentals of Engineering Review course where calculus and higher math must be totally understood to pass this tough State Board Exam. Excellent work!