Algebra Survival Guide: A Conversational Handbook for the Thoroughly Befuddled

by Josh Rappaport

Book Overview

If there's one question that many parents would rather not hear when Sophia or Aiden gets home from school, it's, "Mom, can you help me with my algebra homework?"

And nowadays that question gets asked by younger and younger children because algebraic thinking has been inserted into the math curriculum as early as 5th grade, sometimes even in 4th grade

So what helps parents recall algebra and also helps students learn it in a friendly...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0965911381
• ISBN13: 9780965911382
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Singing Turtle Press
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.3" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

Come out, come out all GROWNUPS who fear the bullies in Algebra Town!

I want to talk to the grownups who, like me, never got the gist of Algebra, and certainly never passed an Algebra course (Come on, soul mates, go back with me in time: remember how we sat at our desks, sweating, fighting off that sick "I know I'm not going to pass this test" stomach). Well, fear no more--we can now emerge from the darkness that was ignorance of Algebra. We now have hope. we can now live the consummate human life, because there's a new sheriff who will help us defeat the bullies in Algebra Town (You know the ones, my friends: they sit, confidently, smugly even, figuring out how those numbers become algebra.). The sheriff is named Josh Rappaport. But Mr. Rappaport doesn't tote a gun, no sir--his weapon doesn't mutilate, it enlightens. His weapon is the ALGEBRA SURVIVAL GUIDE ( A Conversational Handbook for the Thoroughly Befuddled). Oh my! This handbook has so charmed me, I'm reading it like a novel. Good sign, right? It's no chore reading Josh Rappaport's gem. And you will also love Sally Blakemore's illustrations. She gets it! that falling down a hole feeling ( You have to buy the handbook to see Ms. Blakemore's visual take on fear of Algebra). So, come on grownups-who-never-passed-Algebra...wouldn't you like to live a full life? wouldn't you like to give numbers, then Algebra, a chance? I KNOW you'd like to read words like REFLEXIVE Property, COMMUTATIVE Property and ASSOCIATIVE Property without fighting the the urge to cry? Well, do yourself a favor and purchase the Algebra Survival Guide. Then, do yourself a further favor and buy the WORKBOOK. Okay?

A great choice for anyone!

This book is excellent. I took all the math offered in high school and college algebra (20 years ago!) My 7th grade daughter is struggling with pre-algebra and I couldn't remember a thing to help her. I ordered the Survival Guide and workbook and they are both fun! My 12 year old works out of this book on her own. It really is self-teaching. Each section takes you step by step through the concepts explaining in simple terms how to do the problems. I am learning all the Algebra concepts and love the way the book is laid out. Very direct, simple, engaging & great to look at visually. I am an artist by profession and give you kudos on the graphics. I also substitute teach in our public schools and this is a great book to learn how to teach basic algebra. I work with a lot of special needs students and knowing how to explain the algebra in fun and practical ways is a blessing. I recommend this book to teachers, parents and students.

It will solve all of your problems!!!

I purchased this book last spring in order to prepare myself to take college algebra this fall. In high school I failed algebra and I was beyond confused or befuddled. I put off going to college for 10 YEARS simply because I didn't want to do the math. I was dreading the idea of having to spend the summer studying it. I've always had a fear of math and algebra, and over time I began to hate it. Now when I say I hate it, the term hate may not be enough; my loathing was beyond measure; but from working through this book something amazing happened; I don't hate or fear algebra anymore! Seriously!!! And I understand it! And not only do I understand it; I enjoy it! If the idea of enjoying algebra makes little or no sense to you, if you have spent your time and your money struggling through books or classes that are boring, uninformative, over your head, and/or just plain stupid, then really, this book is for you! Please don't pass this book up; it will change your life. And if you could understand how much I hated algebra, you would understand how good this book really is. Josh, you changed my life! Thanks!!!

The Fundamentals Made Easy

Let me start by saying that in High School, I felt like a mathmatical retard. I failed math horribly. I never got the basics. It didn't help that I was a bit lazy, but nevermind that! At age 30, and a liberal arts degree later, I decided it was time to learn Algebra properly, once and for all. This book, and the workbook that goes with it was a balanced and enlightening start that truly was painless. I have just about finished the book and will be moving on to harder algebra. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone looking to simply the fog that surrounds the word "ALGEBRA".

The Clouds of Confusion Have Parted! Algebra Is Clear!

This delightful, easily understood explanation of algebra's basic concepts saved my hide in a standardized math test I had to take last week! I spent two days studying this book and suddenly felt like a mathematician, capable of explaining exponents, coefficients, radicals, factoring, square roots, quadratic trinomials and even the slick operation of the Pythagorian theorem to other novices-- who now thought I was a math expert! Boy, I wish I'd found this lovely little text when I was in school. A perfect supplement for your kids' standard algebra textbook... or, heck, a great textbook all by itself! Buy it, and watch your kids smile when they finally understand algebra!