Amazon Customer Reviews

I loved the painless series for Math Word problems I bought in 1997 so much I kept it. I'm just as impressed with the Painless Algebra,so I bought the Geometry and Life Science books too. This series is written in layman terms,is condensed, an easy read, even for those who have never had a course in any of the above.It's also small enough to carry with you for on the go reference. I wish I had this before failing Algebra three times. Not one of my school text books explained the subjects so clearly, provided plenty of examples worked out step by step,than provided exercises with answers for the reader to do. I'm building an educational reference library for a now fourth grader who can also understand the books.In a word Excellent.Painless Algebra (Barron's Painless)

This book was in great shape. I also bought it for a great price. I received it very quickly. You couldn't even tell the book was used.

If you want to learn math in HOURS than this is the book for you! Shipping was super speedy, as well! I plan on ordering the geometry book also written by this author...she's awesome!

Painless Algebra provides a good overview of algebra topics.
Two issues cause this middle school math teacher concern.
The first is errors, either in the text (< is not less-than-or-equal-to) or in the Brain Ticklers answer key (slope incorrect on p.149 #2).
Of greater concern is the book's philosophy of directing the reader to follow directions without sufficient explanation. The 'red chip/black chip' zero-pair method of understanding addition and subtraction of integers is not used, which helps many students understand why 5 - 8 = -3. In the integers discussion, patterns of subtraction could also help comprehension, such as "if 5 - 4 = 1, and 5 - 5 = 0, 5-6=-1" with companion illustrations on number lines.

This is undoubtedly a great book written in a simple manner and comprehensive language. But it lacks many important points. Especially, for someone who is clueless in algebra. For example, in the section Solving Equations the author explains very well what you have to do step by step to simplify the equations. But the author never mentions reodering the terms. Without doing it, a person may get completely lost when he is faced with a more challenging equation. I would still give this book a big credit! But it lacks important points.