Problems Solved: Getting Yourself Unstuck in Math Problems

Spending too much time stuck in math problems and trying to hunt down your errors? Problems Solved may be the tool you need. Problems Solved, written for math students from the Algebra 2 level up, is a compilation of common math errors and pitfalls in 22 topic areas. Problems Solved shows you where to look for common small errors, like dropping negative signs and failing to close parentheses on your calculator. Problems Solved explains why: for example, why the change in an exponent's sign amounts to the same thing as a flip over the fraction bar and why the curve of f(x+1) lies to the left of the curve of f(x). And Problems Solved explains how: for example, how to get radicals and imaginary terms out of denominators and how to handle absolute value in inequalities.Use Problems Solved as a reference and get yourself unstuck in math problems.

Jill Hacker is an adjunct professor of mathematics at Northern Virginia Community College, a freelance writer who contributes to math textbooks, and a long-time tutor of math, English, and test prep.