Precalculus (with CengageNOW, Personal Tutor with SMARTHINKING Printed Access Card)

I have given this Faires PreCalculus text 5 stars for many
reasons. First, it is a short book about 400 pages (which most
other Precalculus texts have more then 800 pages). That means
American students will find it light enough to carry around.
Second, it covers topics which are only necessary as preparation
for Calculus. Third, students who are already familiar with
Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra can skip materials
that would be repetitive and can concentrate more time on what
truely are materials for success in future Calculus/Advanced Math
courses. This book tells what to learn and master thoroughly.

As for other standard PreCalculus texts, they cover most topics
in College Alegebra & Trigonometry, which includes partial
fractions and trigonometric identity like sin A + sin B =
2sin(1/2)(A+B)cos(1/2)(A-B). This Faires Precalculus text has no
topic on partial fractions, as though instructors who choose to
adopt this text would prefer not to spend time on this yet,
postponing this topic until students encounter techniques of
intergration in Calculus. I see why more time should be spent on
PreCalulus learning how to manipulate algebraic expressions
dealing with inequalities and absolute values, which are very
much needed in understanding the concepts of Limits in Calculus
and finding zeros of complicated polynomials are that important
in determining minimum and maximum values...etc.

The pro is. when this Faires text is adopted. students are
guided to where they are heading to unsure success in Calculus
(the reason for a Precalculus course). The con is, there wiil be
students of intermediate level who will miss many topics as found
in other standard PreCalculus texts, as though they will never be
taught, for example, how the identity "sin A + sin B" works. You
gonna miss many interesting topics in College Alegebra &
Trigonometry, it is that when you spend most of your time on
selected topics. If your instructor adopts this book, then you
need to have a companion book like Dugopolski's Precalculus text
(which you need to buy extra to know ALL of Precalculus Alegebra
Trigonometry topics). This is because Faires PreCalculus covers
just the essentials that FOCUS ON SKILLS you need to succeed in
Calculus.

My suggestion is, if your instructor adopts other standard
PreCalculus text, buy this text as a helper. It really can help
you to gain much confidence in choosing what to expect and spend
more time on necessary topics. But, if your instructor adopts
this text, and you seem worried that this is a DIFFICULT text,
then do get a helper ( other text, because its actually wise to
learn by referring to many texts just in any learning process).
Buy an additional text (if you are low on budget, get a used copy
, its worth for the sake of education), any other Precalculus
text that suits you when you need more drill practices or
remedial revisions.

Don't blame Faires text. Its good for its purpose. Work hard and
have it in both ways. Mathematics takes a lot of patience and
practice. It is also fun to read many texts and compare,
surprisingly you learn better this way than you thought.

I particularly like Faires Precalculus because of the exercise
sets. No need to worry. There are simple exercises too, only
that this text incorporates some challenging exercises specially
designed for the well-prepared students. Even if you cannot do
them, it doesn't mean that you gonna fail. Faires text has enough
of exercises to guarantee a success. It is a great headstart in
your study of Calculus. Good luck!


A PreCalculus Text To Consider.   May 20, 2003
Tiger Chan
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Hi! I am a math teacher in Malaysia. For your information we have
Precalculus texts written in our own native language which has
about 200 pages. I have been searching for some American
preCalculus texts which are short. When I find this title by
Faires I acquired a copy and see that it has about 400 pages. Our
texts cover most topics in Algebra & Trigonometry because we have
a different syllabus where we don't make use of a graphing
calculator, naturally our math texts look short and lean.

I have given this Faires PreCalculus text 5 stars for many
reasons. First, it is a short book about 400 pages (which most
other Precalculus texts have more then 800 pages). That means
American students will find it light enough to carry around.
Second, it covers topics which are only necessary as preparation
for Calculus. Third, students who are already familiar with
Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra can skip materials
that would be repetitive and can concentrate more time on what
truely are materials for success in future Calculus/Advanced Math
courses. This book tells what to learn and master thoroughly.

As for other standard PreCalculus texts, they cover most topics
in College Alegebra & Trigonometry, which includes partial
fractions and trigonometric identity like sin A + sin B =
2sin(1/2)(A+B)cos(1/2)(A-B). This Faires Precalculus text has no
topic on partial fractions, as though instructors who choose to
adopt this text would prefer not to spend time on this yet,
postponing this topic until students encounter techniques of
intergration in Calculus. I see why more time should be spent on
PreCalulus learning how to manipulate algebraic expressions
dealing with inequalities and absolute values, which are very
much needed in understanding the concepts of Limits in Calculus
and finding zeros of complicated polynomials are that important
in determining minimum and maximum values...etc.

The pro is. when this Faires text is adopted. students are
guided to where they are heading to unsure success in Calculus
(the reason for a Precalculus course). The con is, there wiil be
students of intermediate level who will miss many topics as found
in other standard PreCalculus texts, as though they will never be
taught, for example, how the identity "sin A + sin B" works. You
gonna miss many interesting topics in College Alegebra &
Trigonometry, it is that when you spend most of your time on
selected topics. If your instructor adopts this book, then you
need to have a companion book like Dugopolski's Precalculus text
(which you need to buy extra to know ALL of Precalculus Alegebra
Trigonometry topics). This is because Faires PreCalculus covers
just the essentials that FOCUS ON SKILLS you need to succeed in
Calculus.

My suggestion is, if your instructor adopts other standard
PreCalculus text, buy this text as a helper. It really can help
you to gain much confidence in choosing what to expect and spend
more time on necessary topics. But, if your instructor adopts
this text, and you seem worried that this is a DIFFICULT text,
then do get a helper ( other text, because its actually wise to
learn by referring to many texts just in any learning process).
Buy an additional text (if you are low on budget, get a used copy
, its worth for the sake of education), any other Precalculus
text that suits you when you need more drill practices or
remedial revisions.

Don't blame Faires text. Its good for its purpose. Work hard and
have it in both ways. Mathematics takes a lot of patience and
practice. It is also fun to read many texts and compare,
surprisingly you learn better this way than you thought.

I particularly like Faires Precalculus because of the exercise
sets. No need to worry. There are simple exercises too, only
that this text incorporates some challenging exercises specially
designed for the well-prepared students. Even if you cannot do
them, it doesn't mean that you gonna fail. Faires text has enough
of exercises to guarantee a success. It is a great headstart in
your study of Calculus. Good luck!


A good text to teach out of.   September 3, 2004
Archimedes (Pennsylvania)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

This review is about two books: Precalculus, by Faires and DeFranza, and the Study Guide for the same book.

The reviews above seem to be about the text itself (which is, at the moment, not what is being offered for sale; the ISBN is that of the Study Guide).

While the comments from other readers may be valid relative to the uses to which they have put the book, I have found the book an admirable aid for teaching out of. It is compact, has good exercises and examples, is well laid-out and well planned.

Books which are good for self-teaching are not often useful for an instructor who can teach with competence. The text is not a substitute for the professor; it forms the third member of the trio who comprise the learning team: teacher, student, and text.

The book is not encyclopedic, which is a plus In my opinion. It leaves space for the instructor to supplement it with other topics. The approaches taken in the introduction of various topics are appropriate in the majority of cases; these are experts, who see the subject in perspective, and know how each topic fits into the bigger picture which is applied mathematics. A sophomore writing a book to help his freshman friends will write a very different book--possibly more immediately useful to them in some ways, but ultimately less useful! The reviewers seem not to realize that the book being offered for sale is the very Study Guide which could be of great help to those who want a self-teaching book.


Meant only for the mathematically inclined   December 16, 2002
Bobby G. Davis Jr. (Phoenix, AZ United States)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Some math textbooks do a great job of actually teaching you the concepts on their own. For example, if you miss a lecture over a certain chapter, you can feel confident that you'll be able to learn the material by simply reading the book.

This is not one of those books.

If you miss a lecture, you'd better have a tutor available to explain the material to you, because this book is definitely written for the mathematically-inclined. However, the study guide/solutions manual is a little better in this respect, but not by much.

None of this really matters though if you're a student, because you have to use whatever textbook is assigned to you. Hopefully, professors will read this review before making a decision as to which textbook to recommend to their administrators.


Not much of a text   March 22, 2005
Gary L. Cowden (VA)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I purchased this text as it is required for my precalc class. The review that follows this review talks about how this book is not a self teaching guide but is to supplement the classroom experience. I can't say that I agree wit that. The book is very difficult to read even after attending the classroom session on the topic. The author does a poor job of introducing topics and drawing out points. Symbols are used in a confusing manner without explanation. The author will introduce a topic, explain it in just a few sentences and follow with "therefore" followed by a conclusion that is not explained. The authors seem more interested in proving how smart they are and less interested in teaching. Not really a good book but the graphs are good and odd answers are in the back.