Pre-Calculus for Dummies

by Yang Kuang, Elleyne Kase

The fun and easy way to learn pre-calculusGetting ready for calculus but still feel a bit confused? Have no fear. "Pre-Calculus For Dummies" is an un-intimidating, hands-on guide that walks you through all the essential topics, from absolute value and quadratic equations to logarithms and exponential functions to trig identities and matrix operations.

With this guide's help you'll quickly and painlessly get a handle on all of the concepts -- not just the number crunching -- and understand how to perform all pre-calc tasks, from graphing to tackling proofs. You'll also get a new appreciation for how these concepts are used in the real world, and find out that getting a decent grade in pre-calc isn't as impossible as you thought. Updated with fresh example equations and detailed explanationsTracks to a typical pre-calculus classServes as an excellent supplement to classroom learning

If "the fun and easy way to learn pre-calc" seems like a contradiction, get ready for a wealth of surprises in "Pre-Calculus For Dummies!"

Genres: Mathematics, Science, Nonfiction, Reference

408 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2012

Reviews

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having retired recently I have made it a goal to exercise both my body and my mind regularly. To stimulate my mind I resolved to study subjects that interest me – math being one of them. My 34-year career required me to have a middle level of expertise in the subject, but in some areas I have never felt fully comfortable. Calculus fits into that category. So, I have set out to come to a more full understanding of the subject. Studying this text was my first step.

I found it to be very helpful and understandable. But considering the fact that everything I studied in it was information and knowledge I had, at some time in my life, previously learned and understood to some extent, my experience may differ from that of people who are less educated on the subject.

The main point that I found to be lacking was examples and practice problems. There were very few of the former and virtually none of the latter.

[Al Capwned · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book lacks so many essentials. Many more graphs and displays of everything needed.

[Tabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty fun read; I'd give it 5 stars if reading it were for fun. But unfortunately it's not a very exhaustive book. I'm now going through Precalculus Demystified, which includes lots of exciting problems. If you're learning Precalc on your own like I am, I'd recommend you check out Precalculus Demystified instead. On the other hand, if you're wanting to supplement for a class you're taking, this might suffice.

[P A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super pragmatic. Like "ok to solve this you need this and this technique, we won't cover any theory to explain you why it is so". The content are not bad from a pragmatic point of view. Anyway for a very "practical book" there are no exercises at all.

[Tom Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

More fun to read than a textbook!

I enjoyed reading Mary Jane's book than a typical Precalculus textbook, and still learned from it. I read this book as a refresher, and it cleared up a lot of what I had forgotten and the things I made a lot of mistakes doing.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested or needs to learn, or as a refresher for precalculus.

[Almustafa Couch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simple, easy to understand quick introductory text about precalculus. It led me to think of other branches of mathematics (I still can't do long division even to save my life) that I will need to study before calculus (i.e. algebra, trigonometry and logarithms just to mention three). The dummies guide series does seem to be really accessible and uncomplicated.

[Tamer Alshazly · Rating 1 out of 5]

The second book in this "for dummies" although i didnt learn anything from it regarding calculus, but i have to admit that now i know why the series is supposed to be for dummies!!

[Lowbrow]

I usually find the ‘Dummies’ books great for alternative explanations and recaps of mathematical topics, this one not so much.

[Rook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will most likely never read this again after I finally pass this class, but it does put things in an easier-to-understand way.