Just-In-Time Algebra and Trigonometry for Students of Calculus

by Ronald I. Brent and Guntram Mueller

Book Overview

Strong Algebra and Trigonometry skills are crucial to success in calculus. This text is designed to bolster these skills while students study calculus. It shows them the relevant algebra or... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0321269438
• ISBN13: 9780321269430
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Pearson
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.4" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

Solid if you need a refresher, unsuited if you need to learn it

If you have previously studied and largely understood algebra and trigonometry and just need a quick review, then this book is right for you. However, if you haven't studied these topics or didn't understand them the first time, then it will be of little value. The coverage is thorough in breadth, starting with the basics of adding and subtracting all types of numbers through logarithms, exponential functions and trigonometry. Only a few pages are devoted to each topic with exercises at the end of each section. Solutions to some of the exercises are given at the end, although in my opinion there should have been more. While the explanations are short, to the extent that it is possible in a small number of pages, they are through in depth. In a section that I found interesting, the dy/dx notation for a derivative is used. However, knowledge of calculus is not required, the reader is simply being asked to algebraically solve for dy/dx rather than use any knowledge of what it represents. Used in the manner for which it was intended this book is an effective tool in the study of precalculus material. Note: This book is nearly identical to the companion book, "Just-In-Time: Algebra & Trigonometry for Early Transcendental Calculus." It would be a waste of money to buy both.

Wow ... great book!!

This book is totally great. I've seen very few books that explain mathematical concepts as well as this. The authors actually made math look easy by providing a lot of examples and writing in a more conversational, informal style (like the style in the Idiot's Guides series). It's a lot clearer than Barron's and Cliffs. Often there is a lot of humor added in. As the title of this book indicates, this book is intended for calculus students in college who are struggling in their courses. However, for high school students who are using this book to teach themselves new concepts or using this as a tutorial, review, etc. I would recommend this as a supplement to another text. The book is somewhat brief and does not go through the advanced and nitty-gritry areas of algebra and trigonometry. This is intended to be a remedial "catch-up" book and is not targeted specifically towards the hig school student. But high school students, teachers, and curious readers will all find this book very helpful for making hard math look simple.

Cheap, highly-focused and useful review for calculus

I'd taken Calculus ten years ago and needed to retake it. After working through 'Forgotten Algebra', this book was a godsend. It's B.S.-free and highly focused on what you need BEFORE Calculus. If you buy the first edition used (as I did), then it's cheap.

Best book for review

These guys are geniuses for presetnting complex information in a digestable, direct, witty, and accurate manner. Great for remembering forgotten trig and algebra. Awesome calc primer. I salute a rare erudite math professor who can actually teach. Where can we find more? My school is full of passive aggressive math professors who know their stuff but cant teach.thank you for the help