Math Essentials ~ A Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Over the past weeks my 11th grader has been working her way through No-Nonsense Algebra from Math Essentials. This is a softcover textbook. The author and teacher of the book, Richard W. Fisher sees No-Nonsense Algebra as not simply your everyday algebra textbook. Rather, he has turned the text into a system of teaching algebra. The 5 key parts are:

1. Introduction and Explanation of each new topic
2. Helpful Hints, important tips and shortcuts
3. Examples with step-by-step solutions
4. Written Exercises
5. Review Section to ensure that the student remembers what they have learned

There are a total of 10 chapter in the text and they include:

1. Necessary Tools for Algebra
2. Solving Equations
3. Graphing and Analyzing Linear Equations 
4. Solving and Graphing Inequalities
5. Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
6. Polynomials
7. Rational Expressions 
8. Radical Expressions and Geometry
9. Quadratic Equations 
10. Algebra Word Problems

At the end of the book students will find a very helpful section that includes the following:

• Glossary
• Important Formulas
• Important Symbols
• Multiplication Table
• Commonly Used Prime Numbers
• Squares and Square Roots
• Fraction/Decimal Equivalents

At the end of the book students will also find the solutions to all of the problems found in the lessons. There are also quizzes and a final reviews that are included after each chapter.

Here is an example of one of the lessons.

There really isn't space to do the work in the book so my daughter used a notebook to do her work in. I think that is what is intended for the student to do, but don't quote me on that. 

All lessons have a companion video lesson that is taught by Richard W. Fisher. These video lessons are extremely helpful. Mr. Fisher does a wonderful job at breaking down each new concept being taught step-by-step. Plenty of examples are worked through before students are sent off to do the written practice. I also love that there is a review built into each lesson so that students are able to continually reinforce what they have already learned. Math builds upon itself and it is so important to ensure that past concepts are not lost. 

Math is definitely not one of my daughters strong subjects and she GROANED when I presented her with this book. As she began the lessons she kept on saying, "This is definitely not No-Nonsense." She was definitely challenged but she has been doing well with the lessons overall. I think that the workbook has been quite positive. It has been the best resource for getting her Algebra that I have found so far. Due to chronic medical conditions she has struggled to keep up with math. So for her it has been a DOUBLE WHAMMY! A twofold setback, a dislike and struggle with the subject and health issues. 

I would recommend No-Nonsense Algebra to parents looking for an Algebra book for their students that are struggling with the subject and need help over the summer. This is a great tool for homeschoolers. This would also be a great text for adults wanting to refresh on their Algebra skills. Definitely read what my Fellow Homeschool Review Crew Members had to say about No-Nonsense Algebra and some of the other math books that were reviewed by Richard W. Fisher. 

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