No-Nonsense Algebra, 2nd Edition: Part of the Mastering Essential Math Skills Series (Stepping Stones to Proficiency in Algebra)

My son needed a boost in understanding math. This is helping him get a boost he needs in math class.

I am homeschooling my 8th grade daughter, and math is my enemy! Haha! So believe me, if I can figure this book out, so can you! I had the hardest time finding a workbook that actually had an explanation of how to do the math problems, and then pages of practice problems in it as well. This book has all of it. I am able to teach the lesson to myself, and then turn right around and teach it to her. As far as the videos go.... I will be 100% honest. The guy that teaches them seems nice and everything, however, he speaks way to fast, doesn't go into enough detail with his explanations, and doesn't cover all of the material that needs to be covered. The good news is the book explains the math so well, that I usually don't need a video for help. If I do, I just look up others online that are a bit more helpful. All in all it's a wonderful book, I would recommend it to anyone homeschooling, or needing to brush up for GED stuff etc. I also have his pre algebra book, and that is wonderful as well. Much better than others we have tried! Again, great explanations. Take care!!!

Good

We have used this series with my son for 3 yrs (homeschooling family) and it works well with his style of learning - stripped down, no fuss, no cartoons, no endless pages of text. My son appreciates the brief video that accompanies each lesson. After YEARS of trying different math programs, THIS is the series that causes no complaints and is showing real results. My son plans on either entering the Navy or a skilled trade after graduation and this book is providing him solid enough computational skills to test well on both the ASVAB and trade school entry tests.To make the book a bit easier to use for us, I removed the text from its spine and put it in a 3-Ring binder. I laminated the reference pages (which are tremendously helpful pages!). Lastly, I integrated the practice book into the binder and removed the answer section for just the practice book. This allows my son to have the answers while he works the problems in the main book and then I grade the "practice" pages. Using a binder also allows my son to keep his worked out problems with lessons so that he can reference his own work when needed. I offer this information to those who buy this book and then realize that the book doesn't have perforated pages (which would be my only recommended improvement) and doesn't lay flat for easy use.Anyway, I highly recommend this book, and this series!

This helped me a lot with algebra college class.

I was searching for an algebra book for my homeschooled 8th grader, which simply does algebra without all sorts of nonsense on the side. Plus, I wanted video support for those days, where time is short on my side (so she can watch them herself) or simply as another way to explain things, since sometimes, a different point of view works better.This book is exactly what I hoped for. The chapters are well laid out. Each lesson starts with a short, clear explanation before diving into the examples and problems. It starts out simple and builds in difficulty, making my daughter think beyond the simple limits. The answers are at the back of the book, and there are short quizzes for each chapter as well as a general test at the end.I did pick up the fitting workbook for those times when she needs to practice a concept a little more before moving on.It's a great series to simply learn Algebra.

Lots of editing mistakes in the answer keys and even in the lesson examples. Also the practice work book has a lot of mistakes in the answer keys as well. Spending a lot of time checking whose mistake it is...mine or the editors. Turns out it's the editor, as my algebra checker shows the answer and the steps involved. Also, Chapter 6, lesson 13 is sorely lacking in instruction. Thank goodness for the trusty algebra checker. The video tutorials are often brief and not detailed. There's no video for chapter 6, lesson 13 "Factoring More Complicated Polynomials". Bummer. In nutshell, this book is helpful but not a stand alone algebra 1 learning source. Find an online algebra checker that lays out the steps for you, try Khan Academy as well to round out the learning process.

This book series is excellent! I have been stuck in a rut with algebra for a few years, avoiding it really, because I simply could not grasp the concepts as presented in other books. I am in college right now and just need an algebra class to graduate. When I have a problem area, I go to this book and look up the video lesson. I watch the lesson and DO THE WORK WITH THE VIDEO! (You have to write it out). Then, go do the exercises in the book! Once I understand the principle of how to do the particular problem, I go to the book and do the practice exercises. Then go back to my college class!This book will help you if you are willing to write out the problems as you go through them in the videos, and then do all of the practice problems.My advice, if you are having problems, get this book and give it a try. I simply don't understand the one star reviews??? If you don't do the work, you won't understand it no matter what book you use!Good luck and don't let math keep you from graduating college!!!