Product Description

A fun little book which contains no exercises but rather simply explains the concepts, strategies, and vocabulary of algebra. What are polynomials and why do I care? What's a quadratic equation and how do I solve it? How do you multiply polynomials? What is the slope of a line? What are functions? The language is clear and often amusing. The authors assume the reader has no knowledge of algebra, and also assume he or she has forgotten how to multiply fractions and other preliminary processes. Not a stand-alone text, but a book to read on a Saturday afternoon before taking your first algebra class, it touches nearly all the concepts of a first year course. It has been used and praised by eighth grade students as well as college students. A wonderful refresher before taking a college entrance exam or graduate admissions test.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #345623 in Books
• Published on: 1996-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 258 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780962781575
• Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
Algebra Unplugged is unlike any other mathematics text about algebra. Through the use of creative analogies, the authors explain the areas that are often stumbling blocks for students. -- Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School

An excellent and enjoyable book. Worth having several copies around to loan to students. -- The American Mathematical Monthly

It's a remarkable little book by Kenn Amdahl, a poet and former math-phobe and Jim Loats, a math professor. Be advised that Algebra Unplugged does not take the approach that your high school math teacher and textbook took. It certainly answers some basic questions differently. Amdahl and Loats cover pretty much all the topics of first-year algebra and a great deal of earlier math that many kids don't really have a grip on. And they do it all in just 258 pages of remarkably readable and often hilarious text.

Both of my daughters read the book. One, a true math-phobe probably managed to pass algebra in ninth grade as much because of this little book as because of her teacher. My other daughter profited as well, though she's a math lover. Bruce M. Smith, managing editor. -- The Phi Delta Kappan, Feb 1998

Sometimes, despite endless explanations by teachers and dozens of homework assignments, students don't always grasp algebra. Some ask for help, others turn to books, hoping that one will explain things in language they can understand. This may be the book they are looking for. Explanations are short, humorous, and non technical. The authors convinced this reviewer that there is value in sneaking up on a potentially intimidating subject in this way, although I was not so sure at the beginning. -- Appraisal-Science Books for Young Adults

The book contains no exercises. Instead, it simply explains the concepts, vocabulary and strategies of algebra in understandable terms. -- Zentralblatt fuer Didaktic der Mathematik

The innovative author of There Are No Electrons asked math professor Jim Loats to teach him algebra. The result is this wonderful book which explains the basic concepts, vocabulary and strategies of algebra. No exercises, just clear writing, humor and information. -- The Genius Tribe

The volume's easy pace and the use of a game as a metaphor probably will appeal to the casual learner. The book's gentle, conversational, gamelike approach may be sufficient to reach the 'unreachable.' -- Science Books and Films

From the Back Cover
"If you or anyone you know is frightened by algebra, then this entertaining, simply written book is an excellent way to overcome that fear. I know of no more painless way to master the basic concepts of algebra. Let's hope the authors will take up the challenge of a similar book about calculus!" Martin Gardner, author of The Night is Large

"I loved it!" Sheila Tobias, author of Overcoming Math Anxiety

"Ever read an algebra book for fun? Ever thought you would want to? Algebra Unplugged is just that sort of book- and innovative approach that does a great job taking the mystery and fear out of algebra. It's not a text book. You don't have to ever lift a pencil while reading it. Fascinating explanations of all the players in a first year algebra course. A must for anyone who is going to take algebra, dreaded it while taking it, or wants to brush up on it." Theoni Pappas, author of The Joy of Mathematics

"Algebra Unplugged is geared for the majority who are not good at math. Told with humor and understanding, it is an enjoyable book to read." Joan Harris, The Institute for Science and Society

"I very much enjoyed the book. A math book with lawyer jokes and stories of flogging tenors. It doesn't get any better than that." Thomas Seidenberg, Phillips Exeter Academy

"This book discusses algebra in a non-threatening, fun way." ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education.

About the Author
Kenn Amdahl was born May 4, 1949 in Richmond California, grew up in Colorado, and married Cheryl, his high school sweetheart in 1970. They continue to be married with three grown sons who are the joy of their lives. They live in Broomfield, Colorado, between Denver and Boulder. Kenn is best known as the author of There Are No Electrons, Electronics for Earthlings. He is also the author of The Land of Debris and the Home of Alfredo. This strange little book was the first novel ever printed on 100% tree-free paper made from the kenaf plant. He's published dozens of poems and written many dozens of songs. He's also a licensed real estate broker, semi-professional guitarist and folk singer, serious gardener, less serious aquarist, and an enthusiastic but completely untalented painter.

Customer Reviews

This algebra book turns Greek into plain English!
Having made it through college in the 70's without taking a math course, I am now wanting to learn algebra. I took it in high school and I was great at memorizing formulas. I now want to know the basis of math and I started with Algebra.

Algebra Unplugged is the book that I have dreamed of. If I had this in high school I could have gone a long way. Every parent should buy it for their school age children and even read it themselves. It stresses concepts not formulas. It shows you why we do the things we do in algebra.

After having it a week, I was solving polynomial equations on a drink napkin while flying from back east.

Great book! Math teachers - have a bake sale and buy this for all of your students!

Great help for relearning algebra
This book, together with Practical Algebra, has bolstered my confidence, as I return to school after many years, for my MBA. Not having taken a math class in 30 years, my skills were beyond rusty. Algebra Unplugged is a light-hearted look at algebra concepts -- especially for the non-math majors among us -- and was a great start. I think I read through it in just a few days. The only problem for me was that it didn't contain any sample problems or self-tests, so I added Practical Algebra and that really helped.

Fantastic, helpful, and very readable book
My main problem with algebra is that no one ever told me what it really is, besides a bunch of equations. I also couldn't understand why factoring was so important.

I'm happy to report that this book tells you what algebra is for and why factoring is important, and much more, and does do in a way that even the math-challenged can easily grasp. It also reassures the reader by saying that it's okay to need to read and reread the book to get a firm grasp on concepts. It is possibly the only math book I have ever read that didn't make me feel like an idiot, make giant assumptions, or skimp on the explanations. Although I don't think I will ever be close friends with math, this book makes it possible to negotiate an armed truce and (I hope) to succeed in college algebra after 10 years of doing no math more strenuous than balancing my checkbook.

The only drawback to this book is the embarrassing number of typos, but they detract only slightly from the text.