Product Description
Throughout this text, motivating real-world applications, examples, and exercises demonstrate how integral mathematical understanding is to student mastery in other disciplines, a variety of occupations, and everyday situations. A distinctive side-by-side format, pairing each example with a corresponding practice exercise, encourages students to get actively involved in the mathematical content from the start. Unique Mindstretchers target different levels and types of student understanding in one comprehensive problem set per section. Mindstretchers incorporate related investigation, critical thinking, reasoning, and pattern recognition exercises along with corresponding group work and cultural connections. To show how mathematics has evolved over the centuries, in many cultures, and throughout the world, each chapter features a compelling Cultural Note that investigates and illustrates the origins of mathematical concepts. Diverse topics include art, music, the evolution of digit notation, and the ancient practice of using a scale to find an unknown weight. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

perfect for the money I paied
The cover of the book was in poor condition but inside was perfect. I'm very satisfied with the price and the quality.

Introductory Algebra through Applications
The book was in very good shape and was delivered before the date promised.I was very impressed with their service!

Math text book
The book arrived very quickly and in perfect condition.I have no complaints about this transaction. Unfortunately, we ended up with the wrong book because my daughter had to take a lower division math course instead based on test scores!I had to re-sell it, but was able to do so with no problem. ... Read more

Product Description

The Lial series has helped thousands of students succeed in developmental mathematics through its approachable writing style, supportive pedagogy, varied exercise sets, and complete supplements package. With this new edition, the authors continue to provide students and instructors with the best package for learning and teaching support–a book written with student success as its top priority, now with an emphasis on study skills growth and an expanded instructor supplements package.

Customer Reviews (1)

shipping was ok
I needed this book to be expedited shipping so i paid more for it. funny thing is that this book took longer to get here then the other book I didnt get expedited shipping on. but the book was in the condition the seller said it was. ... Read more

Product Description
Shortcut Algebra II contains coverage and review for algebra concepts, as well as strategies that students can use to apply to their homework and tests. 

Features:

*Breaks down advanced algebra problems into simple steps and easy-to-use techniques

*Engaging, real world examples to help readers better understand concepts

*A thorough review of key content areas that are often tested on standardized tests ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very poor
I have not recieved this book, send a message to the seller - no answer.
Very dissapointed,no communication.
Never will by again:(:(:(

quick & easy
used this book to provide my nephew with an overview of algebra II - easy to understand, a good introductory book. advantage/ disadvantage: this is not an in-depth book, but provides a short, concise overview with a number of exercises.

Don't Buy This Book
A student of mine brought this book to me, asking for help. Sadly, the book is riddled with typos and errors, and my student was having a heck of a time figuring it out. It turned out it wasn't her fault at all.

The book constantly confuses ellipses with hyperbolas, sometimes in the same sentence, and the typos contained in the problem answer sets prevent students from understanding anything.

If the author or Kaplan would take the time to correct the many errors in the book, it could be a valuable reference. ... Read more

Product Description

Key Message: The Tobey/Slater series builds essential skills one at a time by breaking the mathematics down into manageable pieces. This practical “building block” organization makes it easy for readers to understand each topic and gain confidence as they move through each section. The authors provide a “How am I Doing?” guide to give readers constant reinforcement and to ensure that they understand each concept before moving on to the next. With Tobey/Slater, readers have a tutor and study companion with them every step of the way.

Customer Reviews (10)

College Math 0990
It was exactly what I needed for math 0990 at Utah valley university. It also got here right in time!

Great deal
This book was $120 at my college and so I got online and bought for my friend who needed it for $20.

Just what I needed
This book is exactly what i needed for class, it was like new and did not take very long to ship!

Great for learning Algebra
This book is VERY useful, I had to take an Algebra course where of course my teacher was horrible and I basically had to teach myself. This book has it all, Explanations on problems, example problems, Practice Problems (answers in the back), exercises (answers for ODD problems in the back), chapter tests and cummulative tests (answers on the back). As well as a CD-ROM to help with showing how to solve problems for each Chapter Test. Whether your taking a class or just want to get a head start for Algebra, this is a GREAT book adn you will not be disappointed. You will definately learn a lot!

Very Satisfied
I am highly pleased with my purchase. The item is in wonderful condition and the delivery was FaSt! Wow. Great Experience! ... Read more

Product Description
Boiled-down essentials of the top-selling Schaum's Outline series for the student with limited time

What could be better than the bestselling Schaum's Outline series? For students looking for a quick nuts-and-bolts overview, it would have to be Schaum's Easy Outline series. Every book in this series is a pared-down, simplified, and tightly focused version of its predecessor. With an emphasis on clarity and brevity, each new title features a streamlined and updated format and the absolute essence of the subject, presented in a concise and readily understandable form.

Graphic elements such as sidebars, reader-alert icons, and boxed highlights stress selected points from the text, illuminate keys to learning, and give students quick pointers to the essentials.

• Designed to appeal to underprepared students and readers turned off by dense text
• Cartoons, sidebars, icons, and other graphic pointers get the material across fast
• Concise text focuses on the essence of the subject
• Delivers expert help from teachers who are authorities in their fields
• Perfect for last-minute test preparation
• So small and light that they fit in a backpack!

Customer Reviews (4)

Good introduction
If you're new to linear algebra, this book may clarify some concepts in a traditional textbook. If you understand your college text ok or are looking for a more in depth study, this is not the book for you. I found it to be helpful and easy to understand.

Kindle version.Too many examples unreadable due to formating problems
This is a review of the kindle version.As this book attempts to convey a large amount of information in a small book, it relies heavily on the examples.I normally like this form of teaching as it helps me understand the concepts.The problem is that in the kindle version, a large number of the examples are scrambled.This makes it much harder to understand the text as it refers to the example.Not all of the examples are this way, but around 1/3 of them are so far.I stopped at around 80% of the way through.

Not what i'd hoped for
This book gives you the theorems, with examples of how to use the theorems.However i was disappointed because i was hoping to that it would make linear algebra clearer for me.Specifically, i was hoping for proof's of the theorems, which this book doesn't contain.It is a good reference book to look things up in, but not a book for obtaining a deeper understanding.

Great study guide / reference book!
I really, really don't like learning mathematics, but unfortunately some maths is required by my university's computer science course.

If you're a person like me who can't understand any of the stuff in your mathematics professor's cryptic notes, then I strongly advise you to buy this book. It's very easy to read (for a maths book), has examples explaining everything, and it's dirt cheap compared to the hardcore maths books out there which often contain too much information for a (undergraduate) student's needs! It has made studying and understanding linear algebra easy (as the title says), and it also got me through the exam the first time.

Here's what this book covers:

Chapter 1: Vectors in Rn
Chapter 2: Algebra of Matrices
Chapter 3: Systems of Linear Equations
Chapter 4: Vector Spaces
Chapter 5: Inner Product Spaces; Orthogonality
Chapter 6: Determinants
Chapter 7: Diagonalisation: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
Chapter 8: Linear Mappings
Chapter 9: Canonical Forms

(this little book is, unlike the information given here, 156 pages long) ... Read more

Product Description
Solving word problems has never been easier than with Schaum's How to Solve Word Problems in Algebra!

This popular study guide shows students easy ways to solve what they struggle with most in algebra: word problems. How to Solve Word Problems in Algebra, Second Edition, is ideal for anyone who wants to master these skills. Completely updated, with contemporary language and examples, features solution methods that are easy to learn and remember, plus a self-test. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Algebra for Leaners
This is a great little book: good examples, to the point, explanations are clear.
Word problems organized by type or category.
I have used this book with many tutored students, helping them get over the fear of word problems, showing them the few manageable techniques for solving all word problems, and helping them build self confidence.
I have even given this book as a gift to several people, because solving word problems can be a fun passtime.Wish I had written it.

DSM

Lots of Practice
My beginning algebra teacher recommended this book as a way to become comfortable with word problems.I worked through the book over two weeks and by the end I was not daunted by word problems anymore, in fact, they became fun puzzles.The explanations are light-hearted and to the point.

I would give this 10 stars if I could!
I am studying for the OAT QR section and this book is a godsend. If you have no confidence in your math skills especially when it comes to word problems, this book will solve all your problems (no pun intended)! Each chapter addresses a specific problem type and thoroughly presents different variations of the same exact problem. It has plenty of practice problems for you to hone your new skills and detailed, step-by-step answers at the end of each chapter.

The best book for learning algebra word problems
I baught this book for my son and he is a 7th Grader. My son could have easily read and learned the book by himself but to support him I read and learned solving problems with him.

I wish this kind of book was available when I was in Jr.High/High school. Word problems have been simplified and categorized in such a way that you will not forget the solution approach for the rest of your life.

Thanks to writers for writing this book.

-DC

Excellent Book
This is an excellent book on how to solve all of the common algebra word problems, such as mixture, distance, coin, and age problems, etc.There are numerous examples of each type of problem.What is really great is that the author shows you how to model the problems with easy to understand diagrams.It would be hard to find a better written book in my opinion. ... Read more

Product Description

A completely reworked new edition of this superb textbook. This key work is geared to the needs of the graduate student. It covers, with proofs, the usual major branches of groups, rings, fields, and modules. Its inclusive approach means that all of the necessary areas are explored, while the level of detail is ideal for the intended readership. The text tries to promote the conceptual understanding of algebra as a whole, doing so with a masterful grasp of methodology. Despite the abstract subject matter, the author includes a careful selection of important examples, together with a detailed elaboration of the more sophisticated, abstract theories.

Customer Reviews (5)

has great potential, but could use a second edition.
The title of the review pretty much says it all. For a first edition, this isn't bad. I've taken copious notes from this book, and I've learned quite a bit. It's much more comprehensive than most other algebra books on the market, to be sure. I'd be hard pressed to find another introductory algebra book that actually makes it to the Adjoint Functor theorem, tripleability, and Birkhoff's characterization of varieties. However, the book also has its flaws. The most annoying one is probably Lemma 10.6.8 on page 331, which says that afinite dimensional division algebra over an algebraically closed field has dimension 1. This is clearly false. (Consider the quaternions and the complex numbers). The error in the proof is that he assumes commutativity (probably the easiest blunder to make in algebra, so it's a minor offense).Thankfully, no subsequent use of this "lemma" is made in the book (making me wonder why he's choosing to call it a lemma).In some places, Grillet doesn't really have the slickest proof on the market, which would be nice if he's trying to be comprehensive (the book wouldn't be quite as much of a wrist cracker). For instance Jacobson's proof of the simplicity of PSL is much slicker and isolates the hypotheses (dim V >2 or |K|>3) The chapter dependency chart is useful, although he breaks the logic somewhat by using fields in the chapter on group theory.Chapter notes at the end of each chapter would be very useful.
All of these problems can be easily fixed in a second edition. Another idea would be for the author to maintain some sort of errata page (John Lee does this for his books on manifolds). For the most part, the book has great potential because it's got a nice, ambitious logical structure that you won't find elsewhere. I'd rather see someone go out on a limb and try to write a comprehensive, up to date, state of the art algebra book than simply rewrite an existing book focusing only on classical algebra.
For professors who are thinking of using this book for their algebra classes, I'd suggest going through it yourself before the term starts (give yourself a few months) so that you can tweak it a little. That way if you use the book for you class you can catch any mistakes.

Full of Insight
This book does not complicate every concept, on the contrary, and for example, this is the only algebra text I am currently aware of that actually provides insight into the 'mechanics' ofmorphisms between various types of sets.To be precise, in section 1.6 (The Isomorphism Theorems), Grillet, introduces and describes both factoring through a domain and codomain.For the student, this provides insight into what is happening 'behind-the-scenes' in the homomorphism theorem and,in turn, acts as a vehicle that enables the student to fully understand and appreciate the isomorphism theorems.Of course one must take in to account the ability of the student using this text and, given this, I would say Grilet's text requires nothing more than an elementary introduction to the basic algebraic structures.This text is not overwhelmingly wordy like that of Dummit and Foote or baby Hungerford, nor is it stale and lifeless like Lang's.Instead, it is well written, definitely insightful, covers all the material needed at the begining graduate level and this text can be used, like Rotman and Lang's text, as a reference.If this book seems daunting based on the size, then I would recommend either just dealing with it or using Martin Isaacs or Papa Hungerford's since both are complete, challenging and manageable.Enjoy!

Not recommended
A bad textbook I have read for algebra.The author seems to be complicating every concept thats simple to understand.
Also most of the proofs given are not straight forward and forces you to refer to some other books for a clear understanding and definitions of the same concepts given in the book.
Not at all recommended.
Better buy a Fraleigh or Herstein or Thomas Hungerford even if your teacher recommends this one.

Excellent intermediate text
Having used this book in a graduate algebra course, I feel that it is an excellent text for those who have already had a rigorous introductory exposure to modern algebra (say, via Dummit and Foote or Fraleigh).Grillet writes clearly and concisely and leaves several challenging (but doable) proofs to the reader.His wry sense of humor is also reflected in his writing.

On some subjects, it is more of a survey of topics (such as category theory, universal algebras, exterior products), the point of which only becomes clear after one needs to use these tools in other areas.

If you are new to the subject, however, the texts by Dummit and Foote or Fraleigh, e.g., are more appropriate.

another good algebra text
This text is designed for beginning graduate students. The book includes all the basic parts of algebra any mathematician should know. The presentation and proofs are clear and easy to follow. People with no priorexposure to abstract algebra might have problems learning algebra from thisbook as quite a few important theorems and results are left with no proof.Instructor can easily supplement those missing proofs if he/she thinksthat's appropriate. Overall, it's an excellent reference book forresearchers, but only a good textbook for students. ... Read more

Product Description
Many students worry about starting algebra. Pre-Algebra Essentials For Dummies provides an overview of critical pre-algebra concepts to help new algebra students (and their parents) take the next step without fear. Free of ramp-up material, Pre-Algebra Essentials For Dummies contains content focused on key topics only. It provides discrete explanations of critical concepts taught in a typical pre-algebra course, from fractions, decimals, and percents to scientific notation and simple variable equations. This guide is also a perfect reference for parents who need to review critical pre-algebra concepts as they help students with homework assignments, as well as for adult learners headed back into the classroom who just need to a refresher of the core concepts.

The Essentials For Dummies Series
Dummies is proud to present our new series, The Essentials For Dummies. Now students who are prepping for exams, preparing to study new material, or who just need a refresher can have a concise, easy-to-understand review guide that covers an entire course by concentrating solely on the most important concepts. From algebra and chemistry to grammar and Spanish, our expert authors focus on the skills students most need to succeed in a subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

amazing
ok this book really helps you it breaks down step by step. I just love it and you should really buy it! ... Read more

Product Description
Excellent textbook provides undergraduates with an accessible introduction to the basic concepts of abstract algebra and to the analysis of abstract algebraic systems. With many examples and, at the end of each chapter, a large number of problems of varying levels of difficulty.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Very good
Most books from Dover Books on mathematics are very good. This one keeps that up. There is nothing to say more than what many have written here. You won't make a mistake with the price to quality factor for this book.

Not perfect but still very nice
I purchased this book to help me prepare for a graduate-level course as an undergrad. The book is written at a good level: not as rigorous as a typical grad textbook, but not as chatty as many modern undergrad textbooks. This allows the reader to focus on the material and have it well-explained without being distracted or treated like a junior high student. The book contains no answers for any of the exercises. If I was not using it for self-study, this wouldn't be a problem. There are a few places where he does a bit of handwaving or is a bit lazy in his definitions (see the definition of "subgroup" on p. 207 for an example), but this does not overly detract from the quality.

While it's not perfect, I'm very happy with the book for my somewhat limited purposes. I'd like to give it 3.5 stars, but I'll be generous and round to 4 since I can't.

A Readable Intro to Algebra
I have worked through the first 7 of the 13 chapters with the exception of chapter 4 (a tangent on Diophantine equations.) My own personal goal was to become acquainted with group and ring theory.If you proceed past chapter 7, then you will learn about polynomial rings, quadratic domains, abstract issues in linear algebra, and other topics.From what I read, I found Deskins' book highly readable.My math background consists of three college courses that I would consider rigorous and proof-oriented.If you have less of a background then it might be more challenging; however, the book builds its concepts very methodically and logically.Rarely did it leave me scratching my head and searching through previous chapters.

Deskins includes enough exercises to get a good mental grasp of the ideas.The level of difficult ranges from the very easy, definition checking problems to the sort of challenging.I say "sort of challenging" because none of the more difficult problems seem to be quite as difficult as the most difficult problems in other books.However, I have no experience with other algebra books, so this may be a characteristic of the subject.

All in all, I highly recommend the book as a text for teaching yourself abstract algebra.It is very readable and the well-chosen exercises help you understand the material.

It's a two-sided thing.
On the one hand, this book, like all Dover Mathematics books, is fairly dense, with few examples or pictures. It's a difficult read, but, again, like all Dover books, is totally comprehensive.

Now, on the other hand,this book is, hands down, the cheapest abstract algebra book you will everfind (again, this is a trait of Dover). When I bought this book on Amazon,I searched for "Abstract Algebra", and despaired when I sawprices like $80.00, $90.00, etc. To find a good textbook for under $20.00is a godsend.

So, basically, if you're willing to put some effort intothis book and plow through it (and it's no more dense, really, than mostmath textbooks), it's very rewarding.

Abstract Algebra provides a clear course in Abstract Algebra
Abstract Algebra provides a helpful look into the great topic of Abstract Algebra.While, like most Dover books, it does not provide extensive amounts of problems or their solutions, Deskins attempts to explain eachtopic from elementary number theory to matrices building upon previousknowledge with the least confusion as possible.Deskins' book does notrequire extensive mathematical background or sheer mathematical genius. Instead, only the desire to learn is required to become enriched by thisbook.I recommend Abstract Algebra to any high-school or colledge studentwishing to expand their mathematical horizons. ... Read more

Product Description
The authors help students "see the math" through their focus on functions; visual emphasis; side-by-side algebraic and graphical solutions; real-data applications; and examples and exercises. By remaining focused on today's students and their needs, the authors lead students to mathematical understanding and, ultimately, success in class. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

the book
i did get the book fast,it was pretty used.
after about a month of owning it the book started to split, hopefully it will at least last till december for

Great condition and fast
This was the first time I purchased through Amazon. I was thrilled on how great the condition of the book was and how fast it arrived. I have always been wary of buying used books on-line because you really never know what your getting. This has alleviated my mind. I plan on looking for more soon.

Just what I needed !
This is great Just what I needed. New seller shipped late but it was fine .I will use this resource again.

good book
The book was needed for a class so I didn't just chose this one, but it is very good for someone who hasen't done algebra or higher math in a while. I wish I has the answer or solution book as well bc only the odd answers are in the back to check work. Over all great book and seller was awesome!

best order
This was the best order that I have gotten thw only problem was it took a little longer than usual thank you so much for everthing ... Read more

Product Description
Practical Linear Algebra introduces students in math, science, engineering, and computer science to Linear Algebra from an intuitive and geometric viewpoint, creating a level of understanding that goes far beyond mere matrix manipulations. Practical aspects, such as computer graphics topics and numerical strategies, are covered throughout, and thus students can build a "Geometry Toolbox," based on a geometric understanding of the key concepts.

This book covers all the standard linear algebra material for a first-year course; the authors teach by motivation, illustration, and example rather than by using a theorem/proof style.

Special Features:

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Customer Reviews (5)

Not so basic; very wordy
This is the second part of a classic (I suspect it's a "classic" in the sense of the word used by physics majors describing Jackson's E&M book) textbook series in abstract algebra, originally intended for undergraduates, but closer to the graduate level.The title is a misnomer, as this is one of the most advanced algebra books I've ever read.This volume starts with category theory and continues from there.

The writing is very elegant, like its companion volume, to the point where it slows down the reader considerably.Like the first volume, there is no glossary.This volume is much more advanced than the first volume; while I could see undergrad seniors using volume one in a year-long 500-level undergrad/grad course, this volume is closer to a 600 or even 700 level.The main challenge is picking out all of the concepts from the script, and hanging on to them long enough to make it through the next chapter.

Some things I would have loved to see:
More examples.
A glossary of definitions.
A table of theorems and lemmas.
A more direct approach.
A table comparing the various structures and the types of morphisms by each structure. Wikipedia has a nice table of structures, but I have yet to see a table with, for example, a row labeled "Isomorphism", with columns for monoids, groups, rings, fields, modules, and categories, and values showing the main differences in concepts.Such tables convey a lot of information quickly.

Not so very basic
I bought both the Basic Algebra I and II in order to help my grandson review algebra before trying to go to college. Both of these books are far advanced for a basic math course. They are totally unsuited for my purposes. They read like one of those government technical seminars where everyone falls asleep. This book is only useful if you are already a math nerd.

Not that basic
It is indeed not an undergraduate level book, but Jaconson I&II
form a great overall introduction to algebra for the budding
algebraist. We used Jacobson I as the intro algebra text for
graduate students at Berkeley, and it can be recommended for
first or second year students (and beyond.) It forms a part of]
the trilogy of "Don't Let the Name Fool You" of not that basic
mathematics book with Weil's Basic Number Theory and Serre's
A Course in Arithmetic.

Excellent
Basic Algebra II is much better organized than Basic Algebra I, and it is an outstanding reference for the algebra that every Ph.D. graduate student should know.Perhaps the decision to prove Wedderburn's theorem via Morita theory was unfortunate since it makes the former seem more inaccessible than it really is, but otherwise I cannot fault the exposition. One word of warning: if your main interest is algebraic number theory, then Lang's _Algebra_ is probably a better reference since Jacobson omits several topics that are crucial for the number theorist.

Not really for undergraduates
The claim by Book News that this is a book addressed to undergraduates is just plain wrong.In fact, this book is even difficult for the average graduate student.The title `Basic Algebra' might be at the root of this misundestanding. This is a classic book and a standard reference for abstract algebra at a relatively advanced level. ... Read more

Product Description
Did you decide NOT to purchase the accompanying textbook at the beginning of the semester? Are you now wishing that you had a textbook? We have designed a product just for your situation—more economical, more portable (thinner and paperback), and more relevant (spiral binding for use next to your computer) for you. The MyMathLab Edition of your textbook is designed for review, reference, and study and does not contain any exercise sets. Exercise sets can be found in the ebook inside your MML course. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good addition to MyMathLab
This book is helpful when used along side MyMathLab. Good for college level algrebra and trig, and for brushing up on pre-calculus (since you will need this basic info before taking calculus).

Not Happy
I am not a big fan of this product.It took me approximately 3 weeks to receive this item, as well as the fact that it is misleading.I was under the impression that it had a mymathlab code that came with the book, but it did not. ... Read more

Product Description
This book still remains the best introduction to computer algebra, catering to both the interested beginner and the experienced pure mathematician and computer scientist. This updated Second Edition provides a comprehensive review, and contains excellent references to fundamental papers and worked examples. In addition to being a general text on the subject, the book includes an appendix describing the use of one particular algebra system-REDUCE. ... Read more

Product Description
This manual contains completely worked-out solutions for all the odd-numbered exercises in the text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Very useful book
Only a week into my linear algebra course, but the first few sections of this book at least have proved very helpful and articulate. Will post a more thorough review once I have more experience with the book.

*UPDATE*
Finished my linear algebra course, and this book was phenomenal! Very clear examples and mostly logical progression of ideas. Would recommend to any friends taking linear algebra, and will keep as a reference for years to come. Great book!

Hold onto your copy
This is probably the most useful book I ever bought for college. Even though I thought I would never need it again, I really regret selling my copy too soon.

Good 'Nuff
My review in response to the others:

This is a college text, intended for approximately the 2nd year/ beginning of 3rd, depending on when you take this class.Don't buy?Most colleges require texts (although I suppose you could be a maverick) not only for the problem set, but because the lectures closely follow the book's presentation, making your own notes the best supplement.That said, I have often found multiple books handy --most math libraries are vastly under used.Schaum's Outline is a good supplement for most any math class.You can get along fine with just this book, although some of it may be confusing --particularly chapter 3, which can only be described as "crystal clearly confusing."Not necessarily the content, but rather how it was presented as "too step-by-step" and less "here is how it works".The book does adequately cover all the basics, and depending on your level and understanding, some chapters may in fact be too basic.Some chapters will probably be skipped.

I too was frustrated that in several cases, key concepts and even whole parts of theorems, were left as exercises (and then referred to in other chapters).This is inconvenient, to say the least, if the problem is not prescribed and the class moves rapidly around the subject, or say your class skips certain chapters and a theorem is referred to later as "see exercise 3x in chapter 3", or if you don't figure it correctly!I agree that the "study guide" was not that helpful in most cases, as it was mostly a more elaborate presentation of the back-of-the-book answers, but in the cases where it was helpful, it was almost invaluable.For instance, many problems are ambiguous, or not very clearly stated, making it useful to be able to see what exactly constitutes the answer.For lack of a better way of putting it, some problems were laid out so poorly that they had to be reverse engineered.

The authors give a good introductory course, which is what the cover promises.The book is intended to be dry, as this is supposed to be a big boy class and a departure from basic foundation math like calculus and such.However, the book starts off very, very basic, and then in chapter 3, becomes more abstract and theoretical --again, for me it was the most difficult chapter because the material wasn't laid out well.Chapter four is more applications, which is pretty much the focus from there on in some fashion or other.The information you learn in this class become very powerful problem solving tools in later ones.Some stuff you may be able to use right away as a shortcut to the long hard way you have been doing it, while other stuff presents itself later.

Don't Buy!!!
I'm very disappointed with this solution manual. It does not explain the answer well. The writer only add a few sentences to the answers which can be found on the back of the textbook! The way the explanation is being written is also very confusing!!! Don't buy this book!!!

Thanks!
Thank you for sending the book.It was in very good condition, like you promised and I received the book much earlier than I originally had thought. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is designed as a text for the first year of graduate algebra, but it can also serve as a reference since it contains more advanced topics as well. This second edition has a different organization than the first. It begins with a discussion of the cubic and quartic equations, which leads into permutations, group theory, and Galois theory (for finite extensions; infinite Galois theory is discussed later in the book). The study of groups continues with finite abelian groups (finitely generated groups are discussed later, in the context of module theory), Sylow theorems, simplicity of projective unimodular groups, free groups and presentations, and the Nielsen-Schreier theorem (subgroups of free groups are free). The study of commutative rings continues with prime and maximal ideals, unique factorization, noetherian rings, Zorn's lemma and applications, varieties, and Grobner bases. Next, noncommutative rings and modules are discussed, treating tensor product, projective, injective, and flat modules, categories, functors, and natural transformations, categorical constructions (including direct and inverse limits), and adjoint functors. Then follow group representations: Wedderburn-Artin theorems, character theory, theorems of Burnside and Frobenius, division rings, Brauer groups, and abelian categories. Advanced linear algebra treats canonical forms for matrices and the structure of modules over PIDs, followed by multilinear algebra. Homology is introduced, first for simplicial complexes, then as derived functors, with applications to Ext, Tor, and cohomology of groups, crossed products, and an introduction to algebraic $K$-theory. Finally, the author treats localization, Dedekind rings and algebraic number theory, and homological dimensions. The book ends with the proof that regular local rings have unique factorization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

anybook
I don't have any idea why the shipping takes over 3 weaks within a State of Florida, and there is no tracking info on the package? Other than that it's a great book by the way.

Comprehensive but wordy.
Rotman's book has just about anything you'd want out of the sort of fat algebra bibles that have become popular recently.It's comparable to Dummit and Foote, though the second is written at a somewhat higher level and provides a unified treatment of commutative and non-commutative rings.Still, I think that Rotman is a bit wordy and rather than clarify, his lengthy proofs tend to obfuscate.(His proof of the correspondence theorem is particularly guilty of this.)I think the gold standard as far as presenting clear and concise proofs in algebra is concerned is the book by Hungerford.I used Hungerford in conjunction with this book.First I'd read Hungerford to get a crisp, clean and concise version of the theory and then I'd read the relevant parts of Rotman for the extra examples and intuition.Another thing I don't like about this book is the physical size.I think the book could have shed some weight by using a smaller font and better typesetting without sacrificing any of the content.

Graduate Abstract Algebra
I can't believe someone actually said the problems in this book are easy! That's outrageous! This book is rigorous and is designed for graduate Abstract Algebra. The first few chapters may seen easy because they are a review of some topics down in undergraduate Abstract Algebra. I think the author did a very good job of reviewing first and then getting into the deep stuff to give all the students a fair chance. Not everyone is brilliant! I highly recommend this book for Graduate Abstract Algebra.

The worst mathematics book I have ever read!!!
I gave this book one star only because I couldn't give it a score of zero!!! Although many professors say that this book is excellent, remember they are professors who already understand the material. This book shows no examples, and the examples that it does show end abruptly with comments such as "all items are routine." Routine!!! Please show me what to do so that I don't have to spend more money on a separate study guide. Aren't mathematics texts expensive enough? This book may be an excellent addition to a professors library but this book should never, ever be used as a primary text for students.

Good for Self-Study
This is a tough book to review, because it is not clear who the real audience is supposed to be.The author says that it is aimed at first-year graduate students, with a bunch of extra material that can be referred back to during the second year and beyond.The earlier chapters also include efficient reviews (with sketched proofs) of material that should be familiar to those who have taken undergraduate algebra.

This characterization is debatable.Based on my experience reading most of the first six chapters (the first 400 out of about 1000 pages), I would say that the level of sophistication is roughly that of Dummit and Foote's "Abstract Algebra", which is usually considered an undergraduate book.D&F can sometimes be harder to read, and that is in part because Rotman's exposition is better (in my opinion), but also because D&F introduce more difficult material earlier.Whether D&F's approach is better is questionable; I find Rotman to be a much smoother read, but the organization is quite different -- for example, one does not encounter noncommutative rings until deep into the book, whereas Dummit and Foote introduce them immediately upon defining rings.On the other hand, early in the coverage of D&F's chapter on rings, one has to digest Zorn's Lemma and its applications almost from the beginning, whereas Rotman (I think wisely) pushes this back into a later section.In general, D&F introduce a lot of hairy examples that by themselves require a lot of effort to digest (thereby impeding the reader's progress through the core material), whereas Rotman's examples tend to be straightforward, at least as new concepts are being presented.

So, overall, the exposition flows more smoothly in Rotman's book, and the reader can cover the basics more quickly with less time spent on tangential examples and early generalizations.Also, Rotman's proofs are usually much cleaner and the overall style is very nice.It's more pleasant to read than Dummit and Foote.But this comes at a cost: Dummit and Foote do cover more material, and generalize at an earlier stage, than Rotman does.

But my biggest gripe concerns the exercises.Put simply, Rotman's are far too easy for what is being pitched as a graduate course.In fact, they are in general far easier than the homework problems I sweated through when I took honors undergraduate algebra. They're barely adequate to convince the reader that he has a basic grasp on the material, and there are almost no hard ones, let alone really tough, thought-provoking open-ended problems like one encounters in Herstein's "Topics in Algebra" (an undergraduate book).There are certainly no exercises in Rotman's book that would be of any use for a graduate student preparing for qualifying exams.They're not even much of a workout for a decent (honors student) undergraduate.

So, what is this book good for?I think it's great for reading material that is usually harder to understand elsewhere.Rotman has a real knack for clear mathematical exposition, and some of the chapters are a real joy to read.(Side note: there are also a lot of typos, at least in the first printing.The author maintains an errata list at his web site, and a second printing is coming soon.There are still many errata that he didn't catch, but they're fairly minor and do not detract significantly from the reading.) But this is simply not suitable for a primary graduate text or reference.Most good schools are going to demand more of their graduate students, and one is inevitably going to have to read Lang or Hungerford (and work through their exercises) to achieve competence at the graduate level.Rotman's book is a kinder, gentler book upon which to fall back when those books are inscrutable, as is all too common.I do recommend it highly for that purpose -- I think it's a very good secondary book. ... Read more

Product Description
Essentials of College Algebra by Lial, Hornsby, and Schneider, gives readers a solid foundation in the basic functions of college algebra and their graphs, starting with a strong review of intermediate algebra concepts and ending with an introduction to systems and matrices. This brief version of the College Algebra, Tenth Edition has been specifically designed to provide a more compact and less expensive book for courses that do not include the more advanced topics covered in the longer book.

Focused on helping readers develop both the conceptual understanding and the analytical skills necessary to experience success in mathematics, the authors present each mathematical topic in this text using a carefully developed learning system to actively engage students in the learning process. The book addresses the diverse needs of today's students through a clear design, current figures and graphs, helpful features, careful explanations of topics, and a comprehensive package of available supplements and study aids.

Customer Reviews (4)

Good enough
Simply put, the book was good enough. It was cheap and had some water damage but it wasn't enough to hinder my ability to use the book.

Great Condition
The book was in great condition. However, there was a slight timeliness issue with the book arriving on time and wish the seller would have communicated better. Otherwise I would still recommend to buy from this seller.

Excellent Condition
Easy to use, hassele free and fast delivery.
Two thumbs up for the seller.

College Algebra Course Textbook
I bought these for high school students taking a dual credit algebra course.They were used but in good condition. ... Read more

Product Description
This latest edition in the highly respected Swokowski/Cole precalculus series retains the elements that have made it so popular with instructors and students alike: its exposition is clear, the time-tested exercise sets feature a variety of applications, its uncluttered layout is appealing, and the difficulty level of problems is appropriate and consistent. The goal of this text is to prepare students for further courses in mathematics. Mathematically sound, FUNDAMENTALS OF COLLEGE ALGEBRA effectively prepares students for further courses in mathematics through its excellent, time-tested problem sets. This edition has been improved in many respects including the addition of technology inserts with specific keystrokes for the TI-83 Plus and the TI-86, ideal for students who are working with a calculator for the first time. The design of the text makes the technology inserts easily identifiable, so if a professor prefers to skip these sections it is simple to do so. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Poor explanations, poor book
This book explains the absolute bare minimum on how to do the problems. Every problem in a set is a curve-ball type, and with only the odd answers, you never feel like you get enough practice, other than re-doing each problem.

(side note)
The solutions manual is absolute garbage, the explanations dwell on the most obvious points, then gloss over things that actually need explanations.Unless you really know this stuff, you will need outside help. It's one of "those" manuals where it tells you the answer and how to start problems, but every solution will have you scratching your head thinking "how did they get from here to there?"

Only the odd problems are solved, so you're better off with just the crappy book, and hope you have a really good instructor.

very helpful
using it for algebra class and its been helpful...i would recommend getting the solutions manual as well....

A good book, but you may need outside help or supplementaion
I've just completed this book as part of a correspondence course. I found most of the explanations clear and to the point, but there were places in which the author lost me completely. Much of the theory, which should haveclarified the topics under discussion, only gave me more reason to ask,"Why?" The solutions provided in the back of the book onlycovered the odd-numbered exercises, and there were absolutely noexplanations. Techniques of solving problems is the very foundation of thecourse. I'd like to see more of this included in future editions.

Is a great book if you want to learn the "fundamentals"
Yes, this book is great if you want to learn what's behind each equation.In fact the most important thing about this book is to remember these theories and reasons so that you can apply them to many problems.Nice forlearning the rules and good examples that illustrate the main ideas. ... Read more

Product Description
"Lang's Algebra changed the way graduate algebra is taught, retaining classical topics but introducing language and ways of thinking from category theory and homological algebra. It has affected all subsequent graduate-level algebra books." - NOTICES OF THE AMS"The author has an impressive knack for presenting the important and interesting ideas of algebra in just the "right" way, and he never gets bogged down in the dry formalism which pervades some parts of algebra."- MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS

This book is intended as a basic text for a one-year course in algebra at the graduate level, or as a useful reference for mathematicians and professionals who use higher-level algebra. It successfully addresses the basic concepts of algebra. For the revised third edition, the author has added exercises and made numerous corrections to the text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Terrible first algebra book
After having it used as my undergraduate algebra text, I hated algebra for about 15 years. Absolutely NO motivation or "genetic" understanding of the material. If you DO know the subject already, the book has many of the slickest proofs, so a good book for the professional, terrible book for instruction. Oh, another thing: if you want to know how to actually go about computing some algebraic object (eg, Jordan canonical form, Smith normal form, etc), do NOT try to find the answer in this book.

Comprehensive book, great for reference.
This book covers a very wide variety of topics in algebra, and has lots of exercises. It is a great book for reference.

Indispensable reference, but not perfect
Lang's Algebra is a very broad reference in abstract algebra: most subfields are at least mentioned, and there is a wealth of detail on many important topics. Overall, Lang's writing is clear and his exposition makes sense. The sheer quantity of information contained in this book, however, forces Lang into a less-than-logical general organization. His index makes up for that to a large extent, and this book is probably best used as a reference. Of course, Algebra makes an excellent reference and complement to any survey course in abstract algebra, because of its clarity and comprehensiveness.

That said, there are a few caveats that I would like to mention. Lang's terminology is nonstandard (eg "entire ring" for what other authors call an "integral domain"), and these accumulated idiosyncrasies become increasingly irritating as one reads through the book. Second, don't expect many applications. I found this to be a problem in Galois theory in particular, where Lang's exposition is completely clear and easy to understand, but seemingly pointless. He neglects even the classical and fairly abstract applications, like the Galois theorem, and he leaves infinite-dimensional Galois theory as an exercise. Now, there are not many applications in general in this book, so be aware that the clarity of Lang's exposition comes at a certain cost (ie, Lang never gets bogged down in too many examples or minor points). Third, Lang occasionally uses notation that he never defines and that does not appear in the index.

In summary, this is a wonderful general reference for algebra, but not a substitute for more specialized or more elementary textbooks in specific subfields, especially Galois theory. The best way to take advantage of Lang's clear, abstract exposition is to make a real effort to come up with examples on your own and use Lang for the general case. I wouldn't rely only on Lang's exercises either: they don't cover as much as you might want them to, but the ones that Lang does include are challenging and important.

Not a goodseller
There was no tracking for my book. I didn't know what happened. It took over 2 and half weeks to get it. I sent email to ask them about my book situation and got no answer.

Best Algebra Book.
This is among the finest references for Algebra I have ever seen.Comprehensive is an understatement.The only point of contention may be the terse language used throughout the text which makes it hard for novices.Great text to have on your shelf! ... Read more

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