Bruce E. MeserveReseñas

Wonderfully written and engaging, this book contains introductory concepts of algebra. However, don't let it fool you, it also says that this book is intended for classes where someone has had some calculus. However, it has stuff for people just starting with Algebra too.

The book has seven main chapters. The first chapter is called Our Number System; it contains information on sets, Peano's Postulates, Transfinite Cardinal Numbers and other such things. The Second Chapter is called Theory of Numbers; it contains information on different bases divisibility, the Euclidean Algorithm and other stuff. Chapter three is the Theory of Polynomials. Chapter four is the Theory of Equations. Chapter five covers Determinants and Matrices. Chapter six talks about Constructions using Classical and Nonclassical Methods. Chapter Seven talks about Graphical Representations.

After the seven main chapters comes a Bibliography, information on the Symbols and Notation used, and an index on the material. Each section in the chapter has some exercise problems to test your ability, and are related to the material from before.

Intended for use in a one semester course for elementary school teachers who may be required to teach mathematics without much of a background in the subject. Well written and interesting. Reading it would be useful for teachers, or for parent educators in a similar situation as well -- although if using Saxon or Mathematics a Human Endeavor, the teacher manuals are reasonably sufficient.