Jann in Tx - question about Lial's intermediate alg. x-post from K-8 board

[Guest lynktum]

I asked this on the K-8 board and then thought it might be more appropriate over here. Thanks!

 

I'm not sure which Lial's intermediate algebra is part of the series you recommend. I thought at one time you mentioned there is not a 9th edition. I have found this one ISBN-10: 0321127137 ISBN-13: 978-0321127136 ~ is this one that would work? Here is a link for Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Intermediate-A...839061&sr=11-1

 

I'm normally a lurker but I appreciate all your input. We've successfully gone through BCM and now are working through Introductory Alg. I have one more question if it's not too much trouble. Do you have the ISBN for the geometry book? Do you recommend Lial's for geometry or is there something you like better?

 

Thanks,

 

Lyn

[Colleen]

As many times as I read Jann's advice, I'm always a bit confused by the myriad of Lial's texts and editions. My oldest son used the 6th edition of BCM and that was fine; I'm hoping to use it with my other boys, though it may not hold up that long. I posted just below with a couple of questions about Introductory Algebra. I'm wondering if there's a difference between the 7th and 8th edition, and if others have found the student solutions manual sufficient. What's your take, Lyn? Thanks!

[Guest lynktum]

I'm not sure what edition of BCM I used, it's packed up now, but I was pleased with it. I'm using an old copy of Introductory Algebra, it is the 5th edition. I've heard there is not much difference in the editions. I did not get the solutions manual and so far I have not needed it. The 5th edition has the answers for all the odds and the solutions for about every other odd. (Every fourth problem, but a few are skipped.) I haven't needed the solutions in the back of the book, yet.

 

I saved a post from Jann that might help you more than I can. (That is the post that says that there is not a 9th edition, hence my question.) It was on the high school board dated Sept052007 and message #2495. I don't know if you can still back up that far or not. In it she said "...the older 7th and 8th editions are just fine...minimal difference--mostly the cover. The student text is all that is really needed--ALL of the teaching is there,..." She goes on and says "Student solutions manuals are also available. They show the odd problems worked out. I did purchase this for Intermediate Algebra but is has not been opened yet...". In the post she lists ISBNs for the 10th ed and packages from the publisher's website. I haven't been able to find the website to see if older editions can be compared.

 

I couldn't find your other post, but "busy server" is about to drive me crazy!! I hope I have been of some help.

 

Lyn

[Guest lynktum]

Jann,

 

In searching for some info for Colleen I found the answer to my question. Someone else had asked you the exact same thing. Once again I appreciate all your help. Since I've already started the series, would you advice not using the 9th edition and trying to get the 8th or 10th?

 

This is the thread I'm referring to:

 

http://wtmboards.com/HSboardSep052007/messages/2633.html

 

Thanks,

 

Lyn

[Jann in TX]

Textbooks are a big business. Textbook publishers contract with colleges and college bookstores bring in lots of $$$ for the colleges. College bookstores make more money when text editions change often! This is the main reason for so many editions--they RARELY add 'new' material. I have an OLD copy of Introductory Algebra--it does not say the edition number but it is from the 1970s! It is a tiny book with teensy print--but the teaching and material is 90% the same and the current texts.

 

Once again, there is not enough difference to warrant choosing one edition over another... and both series by Lial (now merging into one for the 10th edition and beyond) are good.

 

Let's add another coal to this fire--you can even go from Lial to Foerster or Larson without missing concepts. They are all 3 based on the same standards...just slightly different approaches and layouts...

 

Hope I have not confused you more!

E-mail me if you would like.

snikrepj @ gmail . com

[Guest lynktum]

I appreciate it! Like Colleen said, once you start looking at buying the book it gets so confusing with all the different editions and I wasn't aware that there was two series.

 

Thanks again,

 

Lyn