The Humongous Book of Algebra Problems (Humongous Books)

An excellent book.

Very good book if you want to revise and brush up on existing knowledge and add a few new techniques as well. A good range of topics, this will be useful across a wide range of study levels. One criticism aimed at the book by some is that is has no practice questions, Frankly, if you can't work out how to read the question, try the question and THEN look at the worked solution, you probably shouldn't be doing maths anyway.

I was hoping for a book that contained both explanation and practice problems. The explanations were there (and very good), but with no practice problems, and that really diminishes the value of the book.

Very good

Bought this book for my younger brothers after purchasing his Calculus book. It saved my life and my grade and is doing the same for my brothers! Highly, highly recommend buying this book for students in high school and then purchasing the Calculus book for high school and first year university Calculus.

Wow, just wow. I can't recommend this book enough A few months ago, I decided to go back to school (specifically for a master's program) and started looking for a text that could help me review all of the algebra I'd forgotten (in preparation for reviewing all the calculus I'd forgotten). I was basically looking for something that A) would give me a broad understanding of all of the important Algebra topics I need to know and B) wouldn't baby me or throw too much at me in one go. While there are plenty of online and offline resources to help understand specific topics and areas of Algebra, nothing has been quite right (either the explanations focus too much on explaining the simple stuff, doesn't explain enough of the basics or doesn't cover enough topics). The Humongous Book of Algebra problems, however, has been absolutely perfect for what I need. There are basically two reasons why I absolutely love this book. First, format of the book. This book is written in a basic Q and A format where a question is asked and Kelly answer it both on a technical and theoretical level (ie, what you do to the numbers to get the answer and why it works that way). Each question in answered in a quick no-nonsense style that gives you the important information - no more, no less. This format breaks up Algebra into bite sized questions that lets the reader take in as much information as he or she needs. At some points I was able to breeze past several pages, while at other points I needed to read and reread an answer before finally getting it. Apart from the fine intake control, the Q and A style breaks everything up into small steps that allows you to pin point exactly what you get and what you don't get. Sometimes texts and materials try to bundle up several subtopics into one overarching topic. As a result, it can be difficult to figure out what exactly you don't understand or what you need to go over to get the concept. Not so with this book. Also, this Q and A style allows you to quiz yourself. After covering a few pages, you can go back, cover the solution, and try to answer the question in your own words. The solutions are extensive enough that answering most requires you to deeply understand why something works the way it does (which, you have to admit, is much better than the end of the chapter battery of plug and chug questions that most textbooks give you) Second, the wording. This is where the book really shines. Most math books force you to choose between two styles - a super jargon heavy technical style or a simplified conversational style. Each have their strengths and weaknesses (Jargon will helps you understand advanced texts but can be difficult to get an initial understanding of; The simplified style is easy to understand, but can get annoying as you start trying to get a deeper understanding of what's going on), but this book takes the best of both. As it's base, it uses a technical style that doesn't get to heavy, but still uses the proper terminology. However, the little 'notes' that Kelly has added to the book gives you little tricks and simple alternative explanations that helps the reader grasp the core concept quickly. There were so many "ohhh now I get it" moments as I read these notes. As a result, while the book has enough rigor to keep you advancing as a student, the side notes makes you feel like you've got a helpful tutor pointing out the easiest ways to understand the harder topics. If any of this sounds like it will be the least bit helpful for your study goals, I definitely suggest you pick up a copy of this book.

Its good just not what I personally expected it to be!

excellent