Book Description
In the market-leading CALCULUS FOR THE MANAGERIAL, LIFE, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, Soo T. Tan provides an accurate, accessible presentation of calculus combined with just the right balance of applications, pedagogy, and technology to help students succeed in the course. The new Seventh Edition includes highly interesting current applications and exercises to help stimulate student motivation. An exciting new array of supplements, including iLrn Tutorial and the Interactive Video Skillbuilder CD-ROM, provides students with extensive learning support so instructors will have more time to focus on teaching the core concepts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Tan7 Calculus solution manual-red cover with Boy on it-for managerail life.
This book is excellent it helped me a LOt.I wold have failed if it was not for this life saving book.The answers where clear and concise. This book shows step by step how to work each problem!!

I only wish it had a calculator explaination for the problems.

Great Cacl text, but CD ROM not Mac compatible
We used this text book in an NYU continuing education program.The course was designed as a refresher course for potential MBA applicants.I was taking it because we truly use calculus in the analytics of our systems at work.

This is a great text book.The illustrations are terrific.The problem sets are very good as they truly use real-world problems and examples.The instruction is crisp, without excessive theoretical wanderings.

One of the best scientific and engineering texts I have used.

CON:The enclosed CD ROM does not work with the Mac OSX operating system, and although I contacted customer support, they did not have plans to make the software OSX compatible.:-(

Where are the last four chapters?
This solutions book only goes through chapter 8 and the actual text has 12 chapters.I found that the answers were explained fairly well but I was very disappointed that it was missing several chapters and was probably not worth the money.

THE PAPERBACK IS THE SOLUTIONS MANUAL
Unfortunately the paperback is not a a paperback edition of the textbook, but the student's solution manual.

Easy to read.
I thought the book explained each topic in an easy to follow manner.There are some challenging excercises at the end of each section. Some of the exercises stumped me, but I guess that's good if you're looking to bechallenged. I bought the solutions manual which gives step by stepsolutions to the odd questions.The book doesn't cover every area ofcalculus, but I found it useful when I didn't understand what we covered inclass. ... Read more

Book Description
The book is organized around a traditional table of contents, and offers a contemporary flavor through the use of the rule of four, modeling, and a strong conceptual orientation. The authors motivate readers by using outstanding contemporary applications that address important topical issues, as well as entertaining and illustrative ones. The applications are woven around a carefully paced presentation of algebra and trigonometry topics. A rich variety of exercises further engage and challenge readers. In PRECALCULUS, the authors assume that readers have access to a variety of graphing calculator models, so generic instruction is provided. Guidelines and keystrokes for specific calculators can be found in the free, text-specific online graphing calculator manual. ... Read more

Book Description
Get a good grade in your precalculus course with Cohen's PRECALCULUS: A PROBLEMS-ORIENTED APPROACH and it's accompanying CD-ROM! Written in a clear, student-friendly style and providing a graphical perspective so you can develop a visual understanding of college algebra and trigonometry, this text provides you with the tools you need to be successful in this course. Preparing for exams is made easy with iLrn, an online tutorial resource, that gives you access to text-specific tutorials, step-by-step explanations, exercises, quizzes, and one-on-one online help from a tutor. Examples, exercises, applications, and real-life data found throughout the text will help you become a successful mathematics student! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Grab Bag
A grab bag of precalc topics. Makes a good refresher, but not a good intro.

Good chapters, poor layout
I see that other reviewers have beaten me to the punch. I, too, found the individual chapters very good and the overall organization confused. Like a previous reviewer, I think Cohen's Precalculus would best serve as a supplement to Michael Sullivan's more effectively organized book.

jumbled = confusing = easily forgotten lessons
My son was assigned this textbook last year in a junior college math class. He and his classmates found it frustrating. I had to spend hours tutoring him and several of his friends. As a result, I became intimately familiar with Cohen's Precalculus and the confusion it caused students.

My opinion of this book is much like that of the first and last reviewers. There is no discernible order to the chapters; the book doesn't progress in any logical way from what the students have just learned to what immediately follows. (For example: Why didn't the chapter on linear equations immediately follow the chapter on matrices? That's the whole point of matrices--we use them to solve linear equations!).

Sad to say, this book is just a big jumble of miscellaneous material lumped together under the rubric of precalculus. I don't know why the author and publisher chose to arrange the material this way. A previous reviewer suggests that the market forces textbook authors to include everything but the kitchen sink. Even if true, this explanation is irrelevant: it might explain why the book crams so much between its covers, but it doesn't explain the haphazard arrangement of the material. The book certainly didn't do my son or his classmates much good. Although they managed to memorize and regurgitate their lessons well enough to pass the final exam, the mathematical knowledge they gleaned wasn't retained very well because it was never put into any kind of logical order. This book provided no framework that made sense of the random lessons they received. In my opinion, that is not a good way to teach anything, especially an abstract subject like math.

Incoherent is the word, all right
I'm an honors math major who had to use this text for a high-school AP math class a few years ago.

The first reviewer has hit the nail on the head. A reader could be forgiven for thinking Cohen suffered from ADHD. He's fine at explaining the small picture, but utterly hopeless at fitting all the little bits into any kind of coherent framework. This book is all over the place, bouncing here and there, seemingly at mere whim. It doesn't really matter WHY it's so disorganized--whether the result of some ed-school fad or a publisher's marketing strategy. In the end, it's still disorganized.

If your professor takes the trouble to rearrange the order of the chapters and provides plenty of supplemental material, this book might be marginally useful. But I certainly wouldn't recommend it as the primary text for a precalc course. Michael Sullivan's textbook is better organized, if not quite so lucid in its particulars.

The previous reveiwer is incorrect.
The reason for having every topic under the sun in contemporary freshman math books is not educational fads, it is market forces. I have had many converstations with textbook marketing people and have asked them why they have so many topics in their books. The answer was, 'to have the book adopted by as many departments as possible.' The result: professors must organize and edit the contents of the book, a job that properly belongs to the author and publisher. ... Read more

Book Description
Thomas Hungerford's CONTEMPORARY PRECALCULUS text is highly praised and well respected for its clear writing, outstanding applications problems, and integration of technology. Many adopters like the use of real data in examples and exercises, and they appreciate the flexibility of the book. This market-leading text is now accompanied by an outstanding array of innovative supplements that facilitate teaching and enhance learning. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

You do not NEED this book.
I have had the misfortune of teaching from this book and I have also had to take courses from this authors other more advanced math books.

Unlike calculus, pre-calculus is not a standardized class so any book on the subject will range over many different topics.This one does so with a surprising amount of randomness.

This book takes shortcuts that are not mathematically accepted: for example to explain inverse functions he uses the "Round Trip Theorem" and later suggests students learn something he calls the "difference quotient."

[The "Round Trip Theorem" states that an f composed with its inverse is the identity.]

[The "Difference Quotient" is the definition of the derivative without including the limit at the beginning.]

If you are a math teacher and have not taught from this book, the chances are you don't know what these phrases mean, and that is because they are not common terms.Indeed, this concepts, while critical for students to understand, are dealt with in the book as a recipe to memorize with funny names and mneumonics.With out the concept of limits which will come in calculus, most students find "difference quotients" completely pointless -- and I don't blame them.With inverse functions, students fail to see that inverse functions are defined completely by what Hungerford calls the "Round Trip Theorem" and this is largely because at this stage in their mathematical developement they do not yet have a grasp at reading theorems and satisfying hypotheses.In other texts this concept is (appropriately) used as the definition of invertiblity not a consequence.

While some of these problems can be fixed by teaching, it is unfair to insist students suplement their class lectures with a text that subverts the arguments carefully crafted by the teacher.

Finally the trigonometry in the book is heavily unmotivated, although this is a problem in every trig book.

Other suggestions?Search on-line for web lecture notes on specific topics, such as "What are inverse functions?" or "How to factor a polynomial?".Web notes are generally shorter and more direct about the problems being asked and the fewer exercises get at the practice needed with the theory.At this stage, lengthy textbooks wander off the topic too much.

Absolutely Awful
This is the absolute worst text book I have ever had the misfortune of using, in any subject. Hungerford only provides part of the information you actually need to do the problems, and the answers in the back of the book are not reliable. I was forced to use this book for a class in college. If you have a similar misfortune, GET THE SUPPLEMENT. It is the only thing that will help to keep you sane. Make sure you check out the amazing resources availible online, like purplemath.com. This book sure won't be of any help. My professor is just like the author, so it made for a very difficult class.

Good book, although the images are not to my tastes
This book is different from many others, as the graphing calculator is an integral part of the instruction. A large number of the images are nothing more than what a graphing calculator will present when asked to plot a segment of a particular function. Since the material is standard precalculus, the decision whether to adopt this text will be largely based on your opinion concerning the role of graphing calculators in mathematics education.While there is no question that graphing calculators can be of help, they can also be a hindrance. Graphs are just another tool that enable us to better understand the concepts and are not a complete solution. All mathematicians are aware that diagrams can be inadequate and at times appear to be accurate when they are not.
While their resolution is improving, the visual aspects of the graphing calculator are still somewhat crude. The diagrams in this book can at times be confusing, as the points are still tiny squares and if the student takes the figures too seriously, they can be misleading. As we all know, if there is an opportunity for students to be mislead, some will avail themselves of the opportunity. In some ways, it is a step backwards. For years, publishers have labored to create very high quality diagrams with a great deal of contrast between the different parts. This has made the diagrams much easier to read, but in the images of the calculators there is very little contrast and the figures are crude.
Of greater concern is the real problem that students will use the calculator as a psychological crutch and fail to learn the mathematical justification of the results. For example, when we are dealing with the graphs of functions of the form y = (x - h)*(x - h) + k, out interest is in their understanding concerning how the position of the graph changes as h and k changes. If they rely on the graphing calculator too much, they will never learn the fundamental reasons for the shifts.
In terms of presentation, I found the book to be soundly written, the explanations are understandable and complete. The level is appropriate and the material is the usual precalculus fare. The last chapter deals with limits and continuity, which of course is the beginning of calculus. Considering that there are over 800 pages of material without it, one can argue both positions as to whether it should have been included. A large number of exercises appear at the end of the sections and answers to the odds are included at the end. A CD-ROM with over 8 hours of video instruction is included with the book and qualified adopters of the book can receive content-specific videotapes.
I will not be adopting this book, largely due to the emphasis on graphing calculators. To me, graphing calculators create more problems than they solve in education. However, if you feel otherwise, then this book will likely be exactly what you are looking for.

This book has too many flaws.
The most obvious problem with this book is that there are too many errors in the answers at the back.This results in a lot of time spent reworking the problems in attempts to get the "right" answers.I know it is very difficult to edit to a point that is closer to perfection, but such careful editing is of crucial importance in a math book.

The book's layout and design are poor.For example, a bold line is used to indicate the beginning of an example instead of the beginning of a concept.This has the unfortunate effect of making it appear that the explanation of a new concept is part of the previous example.Though I did get somewhat used to this technique halfway through the book, I never learned to like it, and it continued to confuse me occasionally.

I would have appreciated more exercises for practice at the end of each section.Often, I would get the hang of a concept by the second or third problem, but then there would be no more problems on which I could reinforce my newfound understanding.I will say, though, that there were plenty of applied problems and they were frequently useful, challenging, and even fun.

I rated this book at 3 stars (instead of 2 or 1) because much of the material itself is good.I learned a lot and I did fairly well in the course (A-).However, I know a good textbook when I use one, and this one needs more work to fit that description.This book made taking the class more difficult, time-consuming, and frustrating than it needed to be.

there are better books out there, this is not one of them
to be blunt, this book is not good. hungerford does not explain how to do precalculus very well in this book. it is difficult to read and to understand. a good example is if you were programming a VCR when theinstructions are japanese (no offense). this is probably the reason why itis so difficult. if hungerford made this book more student friendly, thenmaybe he would've gotten a better review. until then, look for anotherbook, this one is definately not one of the best. ... Read more

Book Description
Statistics lectures have often been viewed with trepidation by engineering and science students taking an ancillary course in this subject.Whereas there are many texts showing "how" statistical methods are applied, few provide a clear explanation for non-statisticians of how the principles of data analysis can be based on probability theory.Data Analysis: A Bayesian Tutorial provides such a text, putting emphasis as much on understanding "why" and "when" certain statistical procedures should be used as "how".This difference in approach makes the text ideal as a tutorial guide for senior undergraduates and research students, in science and engineering.After explaining the basic principles of Bayesian probability theory, their use is illustrated with a variety of examples ranging from elementary parameter estimation to image processing.With its central emphasis on a few fundamental rules, this book takes the mystery out of statistics by providing a clear rationale for some of the most widely-used procedures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

concise but clear
Sivia offers a brief but thorough explanation of how to use Bayesians in data analysis. He illustrates with important examples that commonly often arise in the sciences. As in estimating the true amplitude of a signal in the presence of background noise. These days, for anyone in a lab sitting next to an electronic gadget acquiring data, you can surely emphathise with this problem.

The necessary background for his book includes being familiar with multivariable calculus. Specifically, with the Taylor expansion in several variables, and with the Jacobian matrix of second partial derivatives. Plus of course a grounding in statistics, including maximum likelihood estimations and the normal distribution.

A gem.
This tutorial on Bayesian data analysis is a gem: very terse, yet explaining the concepts very clearly, giving many insightful examples along the way. This is achieved within only 180 pages by focussing on understanding and intuition instead of mathematical formalism. After reading this tutorial, the reader will be familiar with the way of thinking in Bayesian statistics. The tutorial thus encourages the reader to get more independent from the (conceptually more complicated) cook book statistics with the associated risk of misusage. When reading this book I felt as if a whole jumble of more or less unconnected pieces of statistical wisdom was finally falling into place within the Bayesian framework.

A few critical remarks: (1) A clearer structure with more informative section and subsection headings would help to quicker find things and keep the material orderly in one`s mind. (As an example, the two core chapters are entitled „Parameter estimation I" and„Parameter estimation II").(2) The chapter on non-paramteric estimation is much harder to understand than the first six chapters. This is in part justified by the advancedness of the topic but it could profit from a streamlining (and updating).(3) This book certainly would have the chance to become much more popular than it is now if it was more reasonably priced.

The reader should have a firm command of elementary probability theory, first year calculus (Taylor expansion, multidimensional integration, finding the maximum of a multi-variable function), as well as elementary linear algebra (diagonalization, eigenvectors, determinants). Ideally, she should be familiar with basic classical statistics, as this will make her appreciate the elegance of the Bayesian view more. Physicists will love this book.

Bayes' Theorem made simple
This is an excellent tutorial for the both the beginner (undergraduate) and more advanced scientist.Sivia takes the reader through several examples with simple and conciseexplanations.I have used many of the examples discussed in the book as starting points for problems that I have encountered in my work.I would recommend giving it a try...

Learn what it means to be a "Bayesian"
For years I listened to people present "Bayesian" solutions to problems without appreciating the subtler implications of the term.Bayes' theorem is one of the first topics taught in freshman-level probability and statistics.It's taught, and it's used, but it isn't a central part of the teaching of modern statistics.

Bayesians make it central.Sivia does a masterful job of deriving most of statistics from judicious applications of Bayes' theorem.He can do this, in part, because the visible universe is finite.Infinities and limit theorems can be bypassed, and previously impossible functional forms become workable.

The book is a tutorial; you have to think.But it's well worth it.

poor pedagogy
Maybe it's just me but I found this book not very helpful. The easy stuff is repeated often (Bayes's theorem is quoted every few pages) but when a difficulty arises it is glossed over. Maybe it gets better: I decided not to finish the book. ... Read more

Book Description
Over the years, the text has been shaped and adapted to meet the changing needs of both students and educators. As always, special care was taken to respond to the specific suggestions of users and reviewers through enhanced discussions, new and updated examples and exercises, helpful features, and an extensive package of supplements and study aids. The result is an easy-to-use, comprehensive text that is the best edition yet. ... Read more

Book Description

Over the years, the text has been shaped and adapted to meet the changing needs of both students and educators. As always, special care was taken to respond to the specific suggestions of users and reviewers through enhanced discussions, new and updated examples and exercises, helpful features, and an extensive package of supplements and study aids. The result is an easy-to-use, comprehensive text that is the best edition yet.

Book Description
Moran/Davis/Murphy's text implements a modern approach to teaching precalculus by heavily emphasizing contexts in which mathematics can be used to solve real-world problems, and through active involvement of the student in the learning process. Students are asked to answer questions and discover ideas throughout the body of the text, and to explore mathematical concepts in group lab projects. It employs a lively, fun writing style to communicate concepts to students in a way that can be easily understood. Graphing utilities are thoroughly integrated into the text, and their use is required. Users and reviewers have given this text high acclaim for its fresh applications, projects, and wonderful use of the discovery approach. ... Read more

Book Description
In this new edition of Precalculus, Seventh Edition, the authors encourage graphical, numerical, and algebraic modeling of functions as well as a focus on problem solving, conceptual understanding, and facility with technology.They responded to many helpful suggestions provided by students and teachers in order to create a book that is designed for instructors and written for students. As a result, we believe that the changes made in this edition make this the most effective precalculus text available today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Does not include CD
I bought this new here because the used listings mention that it may or may not included the CD.Well, guess what - the new version doesn't include the CD either - despite the misleading name of the series (MathXL Tutorials on CD Series).

Just a heads up.The one star review is to draw your attention to this fact.Otherwise, I have no knowledge of it's quality (I needed to buy it for my kid's independent study). ... Read more

Book Description
Exceptionally accessible and user-friendly, this introduction to precalculus features an abundance of interesting real-world applications that relate to readers' everyday lives. Filled with scenarios, examples, study tips, exercises, etc., it takes the intimidation out of learning precalculus, and gets readers up to speed quickly and painlessly.Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra. Equations, Inequalities, and Mathematical Models. Functions and Graphs. Polynomial and Rational Functions. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Trigonometric Functions. Analytic Trigonometry. Additional Topics in Trigonometry. Systems of Equations and Inequalities. Matrices and Determinants. Conic Sections. Sequences, Induction, and Probability.For anyone wanting a user-friendly introduction to precalculus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Simply the Best
This is the best textbook on precalculus on the market.Overall, the explanations are very clear, there are plenty of examples to work from, and as with most textbooks the answer to every other question is in the back of the book.The CD that comes with the text is also a huge help, as you get to see an instructor work through problems step by step, and not just a few problems, 20-30 per chapter.Blitzer also has a website where if you feel there weren't enough problems in the book, you can work more online.The only problem I had with this textbook is that it fell apart after one semester and it appeared other students had the same problem.Its simply too big without the proper binding.However if that doesn't bother you, this is simply the best precalculus textbook on the market.

Good for learning math, but could we skip the propaganda?
I had to get this textbook for an online course I'm taking.

I have found that the basic presentation of the concepts is very good overall, and I "get it", but some of the real-world examples strike me as being propagandistic (from a liberal point of view).

A couple of examples would include the modeling of the Gray Wolf population(subtle inference that we humans 'r bad for reducing said population), the number of AIDS cases in the US since 1983 (which peaked at the end of the Reagan/Bush I era, hence Republicans are to blame), and also fuel economy of American cars since 1940.We big bad Americans used too much gas back in 1958, apparently.That's why it's so expensive now, I guess.

Anyway, it's not bad overall, but take the examples with a grain of salt.For the really egregious examples, take them with a few shakes of salt, some lime, and a shot of tequila.

Excellent!
I used this book instead of listening to the teacher's lectures and I did really great in the class! This is a great book to use in class and study form it alone! ... Read more

Book Description
David Cohen's PRECALCULUS, WITH UNIT-CIRCLE TRIGONOMETRY, Fourth Edition, focuses on teaching mathematics, using a graphical perspective throughout to provide a visual understanding of college algebra and trigonometry. The author is known for his clear writing style and the numerous quality exercises and applications he includes in his respected texts. In this new edition, graphs, visualization of data, and functions are now introduced much earlier and receive greater emphasis. Many sections now contain more examples and exercises involving applications and real-life data. While this edition takes the existence of the graphing calculator for granted, the material is arranged so that one can teach the course with as much or as little graphing utility work as he/she wishes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Book explains, but does not teach too well.
If this is a textbook... you don't have much of a choice: get it, or drop the class.

Other than that, the textbook is OK. Not great, since it does not explain to well. Basically, it gives you a forumla, spends about 1/4th of a page using that forumla once, and then moves on. At the end of each section, there are about 100 questions, at the end of the chapter there are another 100 questions. The concepts in here are not too easy, so you probably need to actually learn it using the book (or teachers lecture). However, the book itself does not help much. Basically, it's just a section with 5 concepts (more or less), and each one has one example. That is the only thing which teaches you. The rest is for you to figure out by doing examples.

If you're a very fast and comprehensive learner, it may be good for you, as it expects you to learn on the first try, and do examples to complete your learning. Otherwise, you will need to spend more time to understand the concepts, or pay good attention to the teacher/professor.

Excellent - particularly for the interested learner
After reading other reviews on this book here on Amazon, I chose it for my independent study of precalc.I don't regret the choice.

I find it particularly well-suited for my learning preferences.Accordingly, this will be a text you will love if:

-you like learning systematically; that is, starting from simple concepts and rapidly building upon them
-you take the time to work many of the problems; the problems are expertly written and do wonders at isolating specific concepts and allowing your mind to be aware of them and master them.
-you enjoy solving problems of a mathematical and logical nature
-you have an interest in the subject that may be slightly broader than simply gaining mastery.

On the last item, the author does an excellent job of weaving tidbits of the miscellaneous and sundry of mathematics and using them to keep the mind interested while also teaching a lesson.Often these concepts are treated within an exercise.There is a good balance between including this extra information and sticking to the core subject.The extra information is never off-topic and keeps the material from becoming too dry while not being annoyingly inserted for the primary purpose of filling space.I am not a great fan of lengthy and marginally useful vignettes in textbooks.

If this is what you're looking for in a precalc textbook, this is the book for you.

Excellent Text, all around
I learned pre-calculus from this textbook, and now I've been with a youth math program that uses the book for 3 years. This pre-calc book is excellent and is the first book that was of actual use to myself when learning new material.

The examples in the text are clear and helpful, which makes a world of difference with the material. The problems are also well-designed and there are several different types of problems in this book.

Although the price is high and the book is fairly heavy, it is worth it. If you are taking a pre-calc class and this is the required book, rejoice. If you are taking a pre-calc class and it is not and you have problems with pre-calc material, consider getting a 3rd edition of this book (3rd, not 4th, edition -- save on money).

excellent text
While I have not taught from this book and have not gone through the entire text, from what I've seen this is an excellent text.
From the preface: "[E]xamples are consistently used to introduce, to explain and to motivate concepts...all of the initial exercise for each section are carefully correlated with the worked examples in that section." Based on my observations, this is true. Exercises following most sections are grouped into three categories: the first consist of these relatively routine problems closely correlated with the examples in the text of the section, and two more categories, each successively more difficult. There are many nice exercises that guide the student through a discovery process. The text is quite thorough and contains many topics not included in the bare-bones precalc text. For example, iteration of (the composition of) functions is presented in the section on composition. But the topic follows, with clear demarcation, that of basics of composition and hence can be omitted cleanly. Elegant results, some of which I had not been familiar with, such as Brahmagupta's theorem, are developed in some exercises. In the section on exponential growth and decay, the logistic growth model is developed in the exercises. But the text works fine even when omitting such challenge problems or those problems developing such optional topics.
While the book does have calculator applications exercises, I agree with the author's philosophy, that while "The graphing utility is and invaluable tool for learning mathematics... the mathematics curriculum should drive the technology, not the other way around."
I also use this book as a reference text.
Apparently the author, Prof. Cohen, was the director of the precalculus courses at UCLA. His experience shows in this book.
Update 5/4/2005: One reservation I have about the text is that the graphs are not always accurate. I feel strongly that graphs should always be presented as accurately as possible to reflect the true nature of the curves.

The best math book I've seen--period.
This is THE math book for those preparing for the calculus or (like me) revisiting the subject. The book is clear, concise, and stands up well to heavy use.Additionally, the book has tons of examples; contains sectionsA & B for each chapter.The 'A' section is all that is necessary tocontinue to calculus, but 'B' will enhance learning if you choose to delvedeeper.The study guide that accompanies the book is absolutelyexcellent--an average student like me can go through the whole book withoutan instructor if aided by the study guide. ... Read more

Book Description
This is a tutorial on the FFT algorithm (fast Fourier transform) including an introduction to the DFT (discrete Fourier transform).It is written for the non-specialist in this field.It concentrates on the actual software (programs written in BASIC) so that readers will be able to use this technology when they have finished.Aimed at working engineers, advanced technicians and students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An Excellent Reference
I bought this book to gain a practical understanding of Fourier Transforms and how to implement them with real data. I already had a conceptual understanding of FTs but not a practical one to where I could use them. This book bridged that gap for me and it seems as though that was among the author's intentions were when he wrote it. I would recommend this book and its companion to anyone in the same position.

I was sorry I bought this book.
I needed to learn some basics about the DFT and FFT."Understanding the FFT" seemed to be loaded with computer programs.I found very little to help me learn the concepts."Who Is Fourier? A Mathematical Adventure" by the Transnational College of Lex and "Introduction to Fourier Analysis" by Norman Morrison where the books that helped me the most.

I've been looking for a book like this for 10 years
This book contains all the necessary info to obtain a working knowledge of DFT and FFT. It contains many GWBASIC example programs so the reader can get a good grasp of what the algorithms are supposed to do. "C" progammers would have no difficulty rewitting these algorithms in "C".
Notes:
(1) most GWBASIC programs run without modification under QBASIC.
(2) the ones that don't run under QBASIC contain graphics statements and are easily fixed using QBASIC help.
(3) if you hate to enter source code, the software is available on diskette from the publisher for a small fee ...(includes GWBASIC and QBASIC examples)
(4) I've discovered "BASIC programmer" web sites where both GWBASIC and QBASIC are available for free download. ... Read more

Book Description

Over the years, the text has been shaped and adapted to meet the changing needs of both students and educators. As always, special care was taken to respond to the specific suggestions of users and reviewers through enhanced discussions, new and updated examples and exercises, helpful features, and an extensive package of supplements and study aids. The result is an easy-to-use, comprehensive text that is the best edition yet.

Customer Reviews (2)

What a wonderful seller!
I truly did enjoyed being a client of this seller! I got a perfect product with a perfect service and a quick delivery! I felt secure with my order.
Thank you very much!!

Decent at best.
The book is decent.But is not a great text book.It's highlihgted formulas, etc... are very helpful, but it doesn't seem to explain a lot of things in a way to make them easily understandable.I have used manydifferent math books, and I would not use this one unless you are teaachingextremely bright students. ... Read more

Book Description
Master differential equations and succeed in your course DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH BOUNDARY-VALUE PROBLEMS with accompanying CD-ROM and technology! Straightfoward and readable, this mathematics text provides you with tools such as examples, explanations, definitions, and applications designed to help you succeed. The accompanying DE Tools CD-ROM makes helps you master difficult concepts through twenty-one demonstration tools such as Project Tools and Text Tools. Studying is made easy with iLrn® Tutorial, a text-specific, interactive tutorial software program that gives the practice you need to succeed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

diffcult text for the DE student
The written derivations and examples were brief and difficult to understand. I gave up on using this book for learning DE,only use to practice problems required for assignment. After finding alternative study links, did the DE aspects become clearer. Solution manual did not bring much to the table either.

other DE books to choose from
I've run down most, if not all, of the available introductory DE books in my review of Boyce/Diprima (a book to be avoided by the way): Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems , 8th Edition, with ODE Architect CD

ADVANCED MATHMATICS
IT'S A GREAT BOOK FOR MATH LOVERS. YET IN THE EXAMPLES THROUGHOUT THE BOOK THE AUTHOR SKIPS MANY STEPS, SO YOU HAVE TO KNOW ALGEBRA, INTEGRATION, DIRRENTATION, AND SUMS VERY WELL TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE AUTHOR IS DOING.

Dense; Not for Self Study.
VCR directions. Especially how it explains variation of parameters (2.3). If you are a math whiz, this text is for you. If not, try to get a copy of Dr. Kapoor's _Differential Equations: Step by Step E-Z Math Cards_. By the way, Zill's Solutions Manuel simply omits explanations for many odd-numbered problems, so good luck.

Old, but good
This is a good introduction to DE without alot of the unnecessary textual pollution often found in math texts.It's been around awhile (I used this one some years ago) but I found it was among the simplest, clearest, and best-written math texts because its approach assumes no prior knowledge of DE.From basic equations such as the famous Bernoulli to more complicated boundary-value issues, I was able to gain a solid and more complete understanding of the multivariable calculus I had just attended as well as preparation for higher math.Although it's been awhile, I do recall some errors in this book (as another reviewer has mentioned), so be aware.

Recommended. ... Read more

Book Description
Precalculus presents the course as it was intended to be taught, providing students with an integrated review of algebra and trigonometry while focusing on essential calculus concepts. Faires and DeFranza wrote this book because they believe students too often leave a precalculus class unprepared to go on to calculus. Although students who complete a precalculus course generally have had plenty of algebra and trigonometry review, they often lack the grounding in analysis and graphing necessary to make the transition to calculus. Faires and DeFranza's PRECALCULUS concentrates on teaching the essentials of what a student needs to fulfill their precalculus requirement and to fully prepare them to succeed in calculus.This streamlined text provides all the mathematics that students need--it doesn't bog them down in review, or overwhelm them with too much, too soon. And the authors have been careful to keep this book, unlike many of the precalculus books on the market, at a length that can be covered in one term. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Poor teaching material
This book fails in teaching calculus.
It is simply a guide of problems without answers. Worthless for anyone looking to be learn calculus. It assumes a student has a good teacher who will explain everything. Very few classroom instructors spend enough time with students to make up for the deficiencies of this book....

Did a terrible job at explaining concepts
I've taken up to college level Calculus I before I bought this book for my boyfriend who was taking Pre-Calculus. Since I took Pre-Cal a few years ago (and actually enjoyed it), whenever my boyfriend asked me if I could help him on his Pre-Cal homework, I turned to this book, which he bought as required text for his class, to refresh my memory on how to do some problems.

But instead of reminding me how to do the problems, this book confused me even more! Examples from the book that were supposed to help seemed to skip more than 2 steps at a time and provided no explanation on why some steps were taken. I ended up just looking at some other books and going to the Internet to re-learn concepts I've already been taught.

All in all, buy this book if you have to (ie, is required for class), but personally, I wouldn't recommend trying to teach yourself (or even re-teach) from this book.

Not much of a text
I purchased this text as it is required for my precalc class.The review that follows this review talks about how this book is not a self teaching guide but is to supplement the classroom experience.I can't say that I agree wit that.The book is very difficult to read even after attending the classroom session on the topic.The author does a poor job of introducing topics and drawing out points.Symbols are used in a confusing manner without explanation.The author will introduce a topic, explain it in just a few sentences and follow with "therefore" followed by a conclusion that is not explained.The authors seem more interested in proving how smart they are and less interested in teaching.Not really a good book but the graphs are good and odd answers are in the back.

A good text to teach out of.
This review is about two books: Precalculus, by Faires and DeFranza, and the Study Guide for the same book.

The reviews above seem to be about the text itself (which is, at the moment, not what is being offered for sale; the ISBN is that of the Study Guide).

While the comments from other readers may be valid relative to the uses to which they have put the book, I have found the book an admirable aid for teaching out of.It is compact, has good exercises and examples, is well laid-out and well planned.

Books which are good for self-teaching are not often useful for an instructor who can teach with competence.The text is not a substitute for the professor; it forms the third member of the trio who comprise the learning team: teacher, student, and text.

The book is not encyclopedic, which is a plus In my opinion.It leaves space for the instructor to supplement it with other topics.The approaches taken in the introduction of various topics are appropriate in the majority of cases; these are experts, who see the subject in perspective, and know how each topic fits into the bigger picture which is applied mathematics.A sophomore writing a book to help his freshman friends will write a very different book--possibly more immediately useful to them in some ways, but ultimately less useful!The reviewers seem not to realize that the book being offered for sale is the very Study Guide which could be of great help to those who want a self-teaching book.

A PreCalculus Text To Consider.
Hi! I am a math teacher in Malaysia. For your information we have
Precalculus texts written in our own native language which has
about 200 pages. I have been searching for some American
preCalculus texts which are short. When I find this title by
Faires I acquired a copy and see that it has about 400 pages. Our
texts cover most topics in Algebra & Trigonometry because we have
a different syllabus where we don't make use of a graphing
calculator, naturally our math texts look short and lean.

I have given this Faires PreCalculus text 5 stars for many
reasons. First, it is a short book about 400 pages (which most
other Precalculus texts have more then 800 pages).That means
American students will find it light enough to carry around.
Second, it covers topics which are only necessary as preparation
for Calculus. Third, students who are already familiar with
Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra can skip materials
that would be repetitive and can concentrate more time on what
truely are materials for success in future Calculus/Advanced Math
courses. This book tells what to learn and master thoroughly.

As for other standard PreCalculus texts, they cover most topics
in College Alegebra & Trigonometry, which includes partial
fractions and trigonometric identity like sin A + sin B =
2sin(1/2)(A+B)cos(1/2)(A-B). This Faires Precalculus text has no
topic on partial fractions, as though instructors who choose to
adopt this text would prefer not to spend time on this yet,
postponing this topic until students encounter techniques of
intergration in Calculus. I see why more time should be spent on
PreCalulus learning how to manipulate algebraic expressions
dealing with inequalities and absolute values, which are very
much needed in understanding the concepts of Limits in Calculus
and finding zeros of complicated polynomials are that important
in determining minimum and maximum values...etc.

The pro is. when this Faires text is adopted. students are
guided to where they are heading to unsure success in Calculus
(the reason for a Precalculus course). The con is, there wiil be
students of intermediate level who will miss many topics as found
in other standard PreCalculus texts, as though they will never be
taught, for example, how the identity "sin A + sin B" works. You
gonna miss many interesting topics in College Alegebra &
Trigonometry, it is that when you spend most of your time on
selected topics. If your instructor adopts this book, then you
need to have a companion book like Dugopolski's Precalculus text
(which you need to buy extra to know ALL of Precalculus Alegebra
Trigonometry topics). This is because Faires PreCalculus covers
just the essentials that FOCUS ON SKILLS you need to succeed in
Calculus.

My suggestion is, if your instructor adopts other standard
PreCalculus text, buy this text as a helper. It really can help
you to gain much confidence in choosing what to expect and spend
more time on necessary topics. But, if your instructor adopts
this text, and you seem worried that this is a DIFFICULT text,
then do get a helper ( other text, because its actually wise to
learn by referring to many texts just in any learning process).
Buy an additional text (if you are low on budget, get a used copy
, its worth for the sake of education), any other Precalculus
text that suits you when you need more drill practices or
remedial revisions.

Don't blame Faires text. Its good for its purpose. Work hard and
have it in both ways. Mathematics takes a lot of patience and
practice. It is also fun to read many texts and compare,
surprisingly you learn better this way than you thought.

I particularly like Faires Precalculus because of the exercise
sets. No need to worry. There are simple exercises too, only
that this text incorporates some challenging exercises specially
designed for the well-prepared students. Even if you cannot do
them, it doesn't mean that you gonna fail. Faires text has enough
of exercises to guarantee a success. It is a great headstart in
your study of Calculus. Good luck! ... Read more