Algebra for future engineer

[summer]

I now own Lials Intro Algebra, Jacob's algebra, and Keys to. My daughter loves Keys to best and I actually like it, but want a thorough program as she plans to be an engineer someday and is quite good at math. DD would be happy to stay with Keys to, and if I felt it was complete, I would be too. So I am trying to decide between Lial's and Jacobs. (unless someone here tells me that Keys to is actually so very complete for Algebra 1)

What do you think?

[periwinkle]

both Jacobs and Lial; they are equally excellent, although different in layout and teaching method. My suggestion? Hand your daughter the 2 books to look at and let her decide which she prefers.

hth!

[Karin]

Dd has tried Lial's, and it's fine, but we switched to an old edition of Dolciani which she prefers. For someone who is going into a math related field, I'd avoid Teaching Textbook at this point until it's all done and has had time to prove it's mettle. Her goal is to major in biochemistry. Others will no doubt answer here. I added the algebra tag as there are a number of older threads on this very subject you might find helpful in addition to whatever you get today.

[langfam]

DS did Jacob's last year (8th) but stalled with it at complex algebraic fractions. He did not like the "chattiness" of the text. Developmentally, I don't think he was ready for Algebra anyway. We went to "Keys to" and Lial's BCM, This year 9th, he's using CD's Larson text which has a similar format to Lial's. He likes this style a lot better, that is, just the explanation of concepts minus all the story details which was present in Jacob's that was distracting to him. So I guess it depends on what kinda of child you have. I think my dd who loves stories would've loved Jacob's.
HTHs

[Cindy in Indy]

I have bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering and worked as an engineer for 8 years (before kids came along). I love Jacob's Algebra! I think it is interesting and it forces you to think mathematically. It stretches your mind in new ways (one of the great benefits of advanced math study). I highly recommend it! That said, I also like the recommendation above to let her look at Lial's and Jacob's and decide. I have no experience with Lial's so I can't compare them. There is much to be said for finding a program you like. (If the style doesn't suit your student, it makes it very difficult to learn.)

Cindy in Indy

[Gwen in VA]

Keys to ..... is basically a pre-algebra program. It is a wonderful program and all four of my kids have used it -- but in 5th, 6th and 7th grades as preparation for algebra, not as part of an actual algebra course.