chalkdust precalculus question

[AngieW in Texas]

I used ISBNs to get my precalculus textbook. The text that I ended up getting was Precalculus Functions and Graphs: A Graphing Approach. I intended to get Precalculus with Limits: A Graphing Approach. I got the matching videos and solution manual.

Apparently the two books are identical up through chapter 9. However, the "with Limits" book has two more chapters that are not in the "Functions and Graphs" book. Chapter 10 Analytic Geometry in Three Dimensions and Chapter 11 Limits and an Introduction to Calculus are both in "with Limits", but not in "Functions and Graphs".

Are these two chapters essential for Precalculus?
Should I try to find the "with Limits" book so I will have those two chapters?

[Jann in TX]

The 2 chapters you mentioned are normally the first chapters of a Calc text. They are NOT normally part of a Pre-Calc text--just some extra stuff.

The DVD set I purchased had lessons for theses chapters on it. I may have DD watch the lessons as a preview--if she wants to. I'm not the least bit concerned if she chooses to stop before them.

Jann

[AngieW in Texas]

Perfect. The solution manual and the dvds both have all 11 chapters and have both textbook titles on them. That's how I know that the books are identical through chapter 9. It's just that the "with Limits" books has two extra chapters. If those two chapters are normally calculus instead, then I'll just stick with what I have.

I watched the dvds for a little while when I first got them in the mail. I was surprised at how much there was on the videos. I was expecting 10-15 minutes for each chapter section, but most of them are closer to 30 minutes and some even run more than an hour.

[Martha in GA]

Angie,
Where did you get your DVDs? I've been trying to use the ISBN's to find the correct DVDs from Houghton-Mifflin, but when I e-mail the sellers to make sure I'm getting what I want, I'm finding that they are single discs, not the 11 disc set. Thanks in advance.

Martha

[AngieW in Texas]

I got mine on amazon. I bought mine new, but it was from a reseller.

Unfortunately, resellers can offer any number of the discs listed under that ISBN. You have to check with the reseller to make sure that all the discs are included.

I would try emailing the sellers on this page
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0618394877/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Since they're selling them in new condition, they're likely to still be shrink-wrapped. That's the way that I got mine. The seller that I got mine from is the one at the top of the list, bookaggie.

[Corraleno]

Angie,
Where did you get your DVDs? I've been trying to use the ISBN's to find the correct DVDs from Houghton-Mifflin, but when I e-mail the sellers to make sure I'm getting what I want, I'm finding that they are single discs, not the 11 disc set. Thanks in advance.

Martha

I also got mine from Bookaggie on Amazon -- only $16 for brand new shrink-wrapped DVDs. They shipped quickly and I had no problem with them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0618394877/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

[MomsintheGarden]

I used ISBNs to get my precalculus textbook. The text that I ended up getting was Precalculus Functions and Graphs: A Graphing Approach. I intended to get Precalculus with Limits: A Graphing Approach. I got the matching videos and solution manual.

Apparently the two books are identical up through chapter 9. However, the "with Limits" book has two more chapters that are not in the "Functions and Graphs" book. Chapter 10 Analytic Geometry in Three Dimensions and Chapter 11 Limits and an Introduction to Calculus are both in "with Limits", but not in "Functions and Graphs".

Are these two chapters essential for Precalculus?
Should I try to find the "with Limits" book so I will have those two chapters?


I haven't been on the boards much lately, but just wanted to give my opinion on the book you purchased, "Functions and Graphs."

My ds finished the Precalc with Limits book in homeschool high school and has just finished his freshman year at engineering school. He used CD, and we bought our With Limits book directly from them. Here are the chapters in his book:
P - Prerequisites
1 - Functions and Their Graphs
2 - Polynomial and Rational Functions
3 - Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
4 - Trigonometric Functions
5 - Analytic Trigonometry
6 - Additional Topics in Trigonometry
7 - Systems of Equations and Inequalities
8 - Matrices and Determinates
9 - Sequences, Series, and Probablilty
10 - Topics in Analytic Geometry
11 - Analytic Geometry in Three Dimensions
12 - Limits and an Introduction to Calculus

Ds says the information in Chapters 10 & 11 was used in his Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus, Vector Geometry, and Physics courses. The material was reviewed a little, but he strongly feels it was good to have had previous exposure and practice with Analytic Geometry before Calculus. He says the topics COULD be learned in his college classes, but your student will be at a disadvantage compared with the other students who have been more thoroughly prepared. These topics are VERY important if you have a student who is planning on taking college math classes through Calculus.

In my opinion, chapter P can easily be skipped if your student has a strong background in Algebra II. Chapter 12 on Limits could be skipped because it will be covered in Calculus. Chapters 10 and 11 are the most challenging chapters in Precalculus, but not skippable if you have a student who is going into math, engineering, or the sciences.

HTH,
GardenMom

[nuttman]

I just ordered the cds. Does it matter which edition of the Limits book you get? I see the 4th edition is quite a bit cheaper than the new edition.

[Grace is Sufficient]

I'm hoping to make this work with a 3rd edition text and the DVDs mentioned above, but does anyone have any suggestions for where to find a teacher's manual/tests etc.?

Thanks!

[cmpet7]

I am also trying to find all 11 dvd's. I clicked on the amazon link but can't find book agie. Does anyone know anything about the other sellers. I e-mailed the first one on the list, but they never got back to me. Thanks. Cathy

[AngieW in Texas]

It looks like bookaggie sold her last copy for now. I do see one listed that says it has all the discs. Look for beautifulday916.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0618394877/sr=8-1/qid=1243116749/ref=olp_tab_used?ie=UTF8&coliid=&me=&qid=1243116749&sr=8-1&seller=&colid=&condition=used

I made sure to buy the same edition for everything. Sometimes the changes are minor, but other times they are huge.