Prealgebra - Softcover

Yoshiwara, Katherine; Yoshiwara, Bruce

Softcover

ISBN 10: 053436831X ISBN 13: 9780534368319

Publisher: Brooks/Cole, 2002

With an emphasis on conceptual understanding, PREALGEBRA eases the transition from the numerical skills of arithmetic to the more abstract world of algebra. The text concentrates on conceptual understanding in place of rote application of algorithms and encourages students to "explore algebraic concepts in an informal way to build a foundation for the subsequent formal study of algebra," as recommended in the NCTM Standards.

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Review:

"I like the frequency of the exercises. Rather than tackling several concepts or definitions before an exercise set, the author explains and then asks for participation." "(This book fits the way I want to teach my course) because I want students to learn the concepts of mathematics and not just memorize procedures... (The greatest advantage of this book's organization is that) students LEARN and UNDERSTAND math." "This book is an excellent bridge between basic arithmetic and algebra... Most of my students are in the prealgebra class because they fear algebra. This book has helped diminish those fears." "(One of the greatest strengths of this book is that it) is not overpowering with a lot of extraneous information. It explains a concept and then provides problems for the student to work." "The problem sets are very generous and the number of examples excellent. There are ample opportunities for practice and understanding." "There is a circular motion in which the topics are introduced, brought back in a slightly different manner, and brought back yet again. This will serve to reinforce the material being presented." "There is much more motivation for the students when actual applications are discussed right from the beginning." "The non-traditional organization is a breath of fresh air. Hurray for this author for writing a text with a new approach." "Crazy effusiveness: "This author is on the beginning of a new wave for the future in mathematics. Thanks to this author for being brave enough to move beyond traditional approaches (that often do not work for a non-traditional student)." "One of my biggest complaints about a prealgebra course is that it often just regurgitates in the same manner the arithmetic that students have already seen for many years... This book teaches new material from page one and also offers the opportunity for students to review arithmetic." "Traditional books that do not use fresh approaches encourage the students to drop the class. We need more texts such as this one to entice students to want to learn mathematics and come to the realization that there is something captivating about math."

About the Author:

Kathy Yoshiwara was born in Derby in the UK and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. She attended Michigan State University, where she studied Greek and mathematics. She did graduate work at UCLA and earned an MA in mathematics in 1977. She left UCLA in 1979 to join the faculty at Pierce College, where she has been teaching ever since, except for the 1988-1999 academic year, when she taught at Barnsley College in Yorkshire (northern England) on a Fulbright teaching exchange. She is the author or co-author of three mathematics textbooks and is a member of the Calculus Consortium for Higher Education, where she is part of the writing team for their Precalculus text. She is a member of the MAA (Mathematical Association of America) and currently serves on the Committee for Curriculum Renewal and the First Two Years (CRAFTY). In 1996 she received the Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics from the Southern California Section of the MAA. She is married to Bruce Yoshiwara and benefits from his expertise in all things mathematical. Bruce Yoshiwara has taught full-time at L.A. Pierce College since 1989 (except for the 1998-1999 academic year, when he and his wife Katherine Yoshiwara both had Fulbright Teacher Exchange positions at Barnsley College, England). He is co-author (Katherine is the principal author) of three algebra and pre-algebra textbooks. He serves on the Mathematical Association of American (MAA) Committee on Computers in Mathematics Education and is a consultant for Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching). Bruce is editor of the Pierce Math Department newsletter and maintains the department web page.

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