Lial's Intermediate Algebra... what comes next? Pre-Calculus?

[Karri]

Ds has been using Lial's for the past three years. He's been through Introductory Algebra, Essentials of College Geometry, and is almost done with Intermediate Algebra. He has really done well with the Lial's series. Pre-Calculus comes next. I'd like to continue with Lial's, if Lial's Pre-Calc is as good/better than the earlier levels.

Can someone please give me some reviews of the various PreCalc texts ... Lial's, Foerster's, others? What did you like/not like?

Thanks,
Karri

[Karri]

I posted yesterday wondering what comes after Algebra II. After I realized that it is PreCalc, I decided to edit my post to request info on reviews of PreCalc texts. Unfortunately, my changes did not turn out as I had hoped!:eek:

Oh well, maybe someone will be able to figure out what I'm talking about!

Karri
(still learning how to use this new board)

[Jann in TX]

I think you would be just fine with any of the 'Big 3'--Lial, Foerster or Larson (Chalkdust uses his texts).

I have one of Lial's Pre-Calc texts and it is in the same format as the Intermediate Algebra. Beware--Lial offers SEVERAL different Pre-Calc formats...I have the one that gives a bit more attention to graphing calculators (hints on how to use them within the lesson)...graphing calculators did not exist when I took Pre-Calc 20+ years ago--so I purchased this text to help me figure them out. The scope and sequence is pretty much the same in the different texts--it is just the format and extras that slightly differ.

Our local PS uses Larson's Pre-Calc text for their AP math classes. This is a VERY good text.

All three of these programs were written to the same standards and they can be interchanged at just about any level. All 3 text are also used at the college level.

[Bev in B'ville]

Our local PS uses Larson's Pre-Calc text for their AP math classes. This is a VERY good text.


Larson's Pre-Calc text for AP Calc? My dd will be taking Chalkdust Pre-Calc next year. Does this mean that she could take the AP Calc AB exam afterwards? (Surely not the BC exam - by the way, which text would you recommend for that, please?) Also, if she can take the AB exam, would I need to supplement with anything else? This is Great News!:) (Note: I checked PA homeschooler's website yesterday to see which text they use for AP Calc AB, they also use the same Larson text as Chalkdust, but they don't offer the AP Calc BC course.)

By the way, I downloaded Zoom Algebra for my dd's calculator (TI-84 Silver Edition), which made using the calculator a breeze. It's much more intuitive, she enters the data the way she sees it.

Thanks for your input, Jann, I really appreciate it.

[Jann in TX]

The students who use the Larson Pre-Calc text are already enrolled to take AP Calc next year---it is a special 'track'...so I guess you could call it Pre-AP but our district considers Pre-Calc part of the AP level (but this district is known to find loop holes)... If you do a full year Calc text your student will be more than ready for both AP exams.