JadeOrchidSong Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 We need to pick a Prealgebra book soon. Even though I really like AoPS and the free videos, my ds10 is not mathy and gets frustrated easily. So I need to consider other options. I am wondering which of the two, Dolciani and Lial's I should choose. Please advice. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 The answer to this question will vary per family and possibly per child as the writing styles as well as methods of instruction vary quite a bit. We weren't fond of Lials Pre-A after purchasing and reviewing it. This is mainly due to its very busy and distracting layout. *However* there are other families here who seem to really like it. Used copies of these books are pretty affordable. IMO you will be the best judge of this for your dc once you pick up a copy or can view it somewhere online. I think there were online samples someone posted of these texts floating around. However I have seen used Dolciani books starting at $1. Lials the same - http://www.alibris.c...h?qwork=5298299. I'll probably pick up a Dolciani copy even though we already have a Pre-A spine which we really like in TabletClass. Its good to have other perspectives of the same subject when your child hits a road block. We also have MUS Pre-A as well, but don't find it as strong in terms of breadth or depth as some of the other options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JadeOrchidSong Posted November 25, 2012 Author Share Posted November 25, 2012 Derek. Thank you for your response. It is very helpful. My son and I both like AoPS videos and I hope to get a copy of Prealgebra to try, but I am fully prepared to back down to use maybe Dolciani if AoPS proves too hard for him. He is finishing up SM 5B now. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I don't know anything about Lials but Dolciani worked well here. The explanations were very straightforward. We did odds (the answers were in the back.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 We weren't fond of Lials Pre-A after purchasing and reviewing it. This is mainly due to its very busy and distracting layout. Yes, busy, and at least the copy I got has shiny paper. It looks very sturdy, but my 50+ year old eyes would not like to spend hour after hour on it. Plus, if you make light pencil marks in the margin, they do NOT erase well at all. Just FYI. I'm going to look for the Dol cheap to eyeball. I already bagged some beaten up NEM to compare. Nothing like a hands on look-see. Math is such a ........ demanding, time-consuming subject, I **really** want a good fit for us. Goal: learn it not burn it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.