MHB Michael Sullivan Precalculus Textbook Arrived Today

Click For Summary
The discussion centers around the transition from David Cohen's precalculus textbook to Michael Sullivan's Precalculus 5th Edition. The original poster finds Cohen's book overly complex, particularly due to its focus on the unit circle, which may be better suited for honors courses. In contrast, Sullivan's textbook is viewed as more accessible for a general student audience, despite its own challenges. The poster has a long history with Sullivan's book, having used it since 2006, and notes its widespread adoption in high school and military online math courses. There is a request for a link to a free online version of Sullivan's textbook, highlighting its perceived ease of understanding compared to Cohen's work.
xyz_1965
Messages
73
Reaction score
0
I finally got my Michael Sullivan Precalculus 5th Edition textbook today. I have decided to part ways with my David Cohen book. It makes no sense to keep it. It is truly over my head.

By this I don't mean that Sullivan's book is a walk in the park. It can be intense depending on the topic and/or chapter. Cohen's book concentrates more on the unit circle as a guide through most of the problems. It is probably meant for an honors precalculus course.

So, parting ways after so many years. I had the 5th edition Sullivan precalculus textbook back in 2006. Soroban helped a lot back in 2006. Sullivan's book is directed more for a general student population as opposed to a group of talented or advanced math students.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sullivan is a great textbook but I have a free download PDF of the book
I also have the hard copy with the DOE gave me

Just about every HS and military online math classes uses it.
 
karush said:
Sullivan is a great textbook but I have a free download PDF of the book
I also have the hard copy with the DOE gave me

Just about every HS and military online math classes uses it.

Can I please have the link to the free online Sullivan textbook? Sullivan is so much easier to read than David Cohen. Do you have the 5th edition of the precalculus book?
 

Thread 'Complex analysis or calculus?'

Im currently reading mathematics for physicists by Philippe Dennery and André Krzywicki, and I’m understanding most concepts however I think it would be better for me to get a book on complex analysis or calculus to better understand it so I’m not left looking at an equation for an hour trying to figure out what it means. So here comes the split, do I get a complex analysis book? Or a calculus book? I might be able to Borrow a calculus textbook from my math teacher study that for a bit and...
View full post »

Similar threads

MHB Precalculus Chapter Test Questions
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Other Old but good C++ textbook available for free
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Quantum Physics and math textbooks for self study
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
How to bridge the gap from a Thomas or Stewart calculus book to this?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
10K
Algebra/Trignometry based Physics textbooks
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
What was the cost of a Soviet high school math textbook in 1976?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
11K
Pure Math Preparation (the ultimate high school / pre-university book thread)
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
41K
The best physics magazines and the best physics books?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
46K
RIP Edwin F Taylor (1931-2025)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
872
I could really use some help picking my optional module [GameDev]
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K