Reviews for How to Succeed in College Mathematics

The average rating for How to Succeed in College Mathematics based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-11-10 00:00:00 Michael Perlman I agree with just about everything that's been written in How to Succeed in College Mathematics. Moreover, I am surprised that all I know about the road to success in any math course, regardless at what level, have been put down in writing in a single book. It's very prolix and thorough. Probably the one suggestion I have for the book is to excise the math examples and problems out of the book and just stick with the pointers. I have worked as an educator in the middle school, high school, and college levels, and my students do not fully follow any of the maxims prescribed, so I highly doubt anyone who is struggling in math will go and pick up this book out of his volition for the sake of change. That's how things go. To me, I think the reason why this happens because they can't see the big picture; I actually saw it when I got to differential equations. No wonder why I was one of the hundreds of students taking precalculus and one of the fewest students left to complete the final real analysis course before earning an undergraduate degree in mathematics. It's just tough. Interestingly, many of the rules I've set up for myself over a decade ago are what got me through the gauntlet yet they are clearly outlined in How to Succeed in College Mathematics. There are two points missing from the book that I think the author should have espoused and elaborated more. Point one, the students should have a binder of problems, a binder of proofs, and a binder of facts. A binder of problems includes problems that the student got them incorrectly the first time, so he can work on them over and over. Say 10 pages of problems per day for exercise. Over time, they'll become second nature because of the aphorism "Practice makes perfect." Either they can be written, typed, or copied and pasted. They also serve as an useful reference. Similarly with proofs. For facts, any formula, algorithm (usually for statistics), table, or reference is added and then memorized through study sessions. It's exactly what I did to be real good in math. So, I've strongly encouraged many students to do the same. Point two, schema is real important. Just because one sees it in a problem and does not go further than that. So, his knowledge of that particular problem confines him to thinking, "Anytime I see that problem, I'll use the same technique." But what happens if the wording is a bit different or completely or the numbers are changed? Naturally enough, there is a hesitation and therefore doubt. That's why being exposed to many different problems in the same vein is quite important and essential for real growth in mathematical maturity. A good example of this is: working with problems from one calculus book, then problems from an AP calculus book, then problems from a word problems book, and finally problems from math contests. Combine them all: there is a varied exposure to different kind of problems, using the same techniques. Eventually, the brain will have triggers to know which technique to apply when it recognizes the key features. All in all, How to Succeed in College Mathematics is a very useful book, filled with germane advice, that hardly any struggling mathematics student will read.

Review # 2 was written on 2017-08-08 00:00:00 Shannon Marsiglia This is wonderfully written with lots of effort put in. I felt that there are many sections which apply to the learning process in general. He is tough and not as gentle as one would like at times. I think that was an acceptable style.