Would you purchase an AIG instead of Student text if

[CynthiaOK]

the price was less than 1/3 of new? My son's freshman chemistry textbook (college) is new this year (just published) and is quite expensive ($180 new) and few used copies are available for under $140. However, there are annotated instructors guides readily available for about $45.

Personally, I cannot think of a drawback to having the additional notes or answers, but maybe I'm not thinking clearly ;)

Any opinions?

[Kareni]

I can think of two possible issues with a student having the AIG.

One, I know that I would find it difficult to avoid looking at answers if they were adjacent to the problems. Would your son be likely to give each question or problem its due if the answers were right there?

Two, I could imagine his instructor might be chagrined to find a student having ready access to all the answers. If the instructor typically assigns even numbered problems (since answers to the odd numbered problems are frequently found at the back of the text), he or she might find this problematic.

I'll be interested to hear what you decide.

Regards,
Kareni

[CynthiaOK]

I wouldn't worry about this particular son (maybe one of my others, but not this one). He has an extremely well developed conscience. But he is also quiet, so I thought it could be an advantage for him to have the additional instruction as well as answers. This is a freshman chemistry class which will have a gazillion kids, so not a lot of time for individual instruction.

But it looks like all the cheap AIGs were picked up yesterday and I can't find one for less than about $100 now. So I'll probably just get a new student text *grrr* and pay the $140-180 price.

[Kareni]

...
But it looks like all the cheap AIGs were picked up yesterday and I can't find one for less than about $100 now. So I'll probably just get a new student text *grrr* and pay the $140-180 price.

*grr* indeed! (I find it so frustrating when things like that happen.)

Regards,
Kareni