Algebra Unplugged

by Jim Loats, Kenn Amdahl

A lighthearted, sometimes irreverent introduction to the concepts, vocabulary and strategies of first year algebra. Designed for people who learn best by reading, it includes no exercises. Beginning with some pre algebra concepts, like working with fractions, it explains linear equations, quadratic equations and graphing in easy to understand, non frightening language. Ideal for people who think they hate math to read before they take the class or as a supplement during it. It provides an additional explanation to the confused and comfort for the fearful. For nearly twenty years this book has been helping math-phobes survive their most dreaded class.

Genres: Mathematics, School

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Anne White · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sometimes, the simple way to say something isn't perfectly accurate in all situations. Rather than be perfectly clear, books tend to be perfectly accurate, which is great, if you can just figure out what in the world their author is trying to say." (Algebra Unplugged)

Quick recommendation: buy this and read it BEFORE you start working through a big fat Algebra I text. I used this book with my daughter and wished it had been around for my own high school math; it would have saved many hours of puzzlement. Amdahl and Loats give explanations like "In arithmetic, usually we started out with ingredients and tried to make cookies. In algebra, sometimes we start with the cookie and try to deduce the recipe. When we begin with the "product" and try to figure out the multiplication problem that led to it, we are engaging in "factoring."" Oh, so that's what it was about!

[Michael Acre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome and fun refresher or assistant for algebra

[Indie Author Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this book had been around when I was taking Algebra.This is the perfect book for someone struggling with the concepts in algebra. For those who learn by reading, this is the perfect way to explain all the ins and outs of mastering this beast.

[Kasandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read about algebra. Bet you've never thought those two words would belong in the same sentence! This book calmed a lot of my fears about taking algebra in college after 25 years without doing any higher-level math. It also explained, in plain English, some concepts and terms that I never "got" in high school algebra, even though I had an after-school tutor and managed to eke out a B in the class. (There was a lot I never understood, even with the tutor, and just fudged my way around or guessed on). I am sure I will go back to this book again for refreshers as needed, and will definitely recommend to others with algebra phobia. So far in my accelerated summer college algebra class, I have a 98 average, and I think this book is partly responsible for calming my fears and getting me to approach algebra as a game instead of as a terrifying chore (though I can't say it's actually fun, I at least am approaching it from a less fearful perspective now).

[Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not good if you want a refresher for algebra math concepts. The authors try too hard to be humorous; their attempts at being down to earth actually make the content unnecessarily muddled.

The Kindle version also has formatting issues. Many of the examples between paragraphs are images which are difficult to see because they are much smaller than the accompanying text. There were also cases where the number "1" appeared in place of the letter "l" for common words.

[Mark Yoshida · Rating 3 out of 5]

It helped to reacquaint me w/ algebra, and maybe inspired me to relearn this subject (at least now that I'm not REQUIRED to learn it...). It explained and simplified concepts that weren't clear before. A summary of the principles would be helpful.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, helps you see the overall ideas of math and algebra. Simple english, with no math problems, just ideas and explainations as to why we do things certain ways.

[Lawrence Linnen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is algebra intimidating? Read this! I've known Jim Loats, co-author, for years and he knows math education!

[Agony · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would be interesting if I did not know Algebra.