121 of 123 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Perfect Book!, April 2 2005
By R. Orchanian "RPO" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Pre-Calculus Demystified (Paperback)
I am a newly certified teacher of secondary Mathematics (grades 7-12) in New York State. I am in the processes of reviewing Pre-Calculus.
So I see this book through two lenses.
1.) As a student: It is a dramatic relief to have each and every answer correct. I wouldn't underestimate the comfort of knowing what you are reading is 99.99% to 100% correct. Having used Schaum's, which can be peppered with errors, this is a welcome relief.
2.) As a teacher: Every explanation is well written and crystal clear. We are brought from the simple to the complex. (Of course, I've had to read some parts multiple times to 'get it.') Ms. Huettenmueller has the extremely rare combination of brilliant communication skills, aka pedagogy, along with mastery of content.
This brings the reader to the conclusion that the author (and the publisher) really cares that you learn this 'stuff.' A sense of a
pursuit of exellence comes through the pages.
I am sure Ms. Huettenmueller is a GIFTED teacher!
As a new teacher, this is someone I'd love to emulate.
45 of 47 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
*Superb* Self-Teaching Instrument, April 16 2006
By TBell "Watermelon Man" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Pre-Calculus Demystified (Paperback)
I applaud Rhonda Huettenmueller and whole heartedly agree with the R. Orchanian review (the New York teacher). The very best available that absolutely takes the mystery out of this area of mathematics. The sequence of the chapters is superb, clear, concise and very, very accurate. It includes process steps that are left out of many *so called* self-teaching guides which leaves many students scratching their head. Just quite simply the very best book written on the subjct, hands down. I hope Ms. Huettenmueller doesn't stop here.
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
At last. At long last, Nov 24 2007
By Roger Snowden - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Pre-Calculus Demystified (Paperback)
I am one of those pathetic cases who should have been a math major, but could not stay awake during the freshman pre-calc lectures conducted by bored and boring grad students. Now, nearly 40 years later I am determined to self-educate my way through calculus.
At first I took a crack at the Wiley "Precalculus A Self Teaching Guide". Holy cripes, what a disaster! Unnerving to find such an improbable number of errors, especially for student picking up after decades of non-study.
Then, I grabbed Rhonda Huettenmeuller's fine work, and am doing the practice at the end of chapter four. I actually remembered some of my advanced algebra and managed to work my way through the problems.
Well written and clear, she provides enough dimensions on problems to give you insight, then gives you room enough to have to think a bit. The answers are all provided, and are *correct*. Well, at least we agree, so that is certainly a good sign.
I especially appreciate how she teaches this from the perspective of tackling calculus as the next step, pointing out issues that particularly apply, and how, to more advanced mathematics.
Now, if we can just get her to write more books...