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The Practice of Statistics: TI-83/89 Graphing Calculator Enhanced Review
User Submitted The Practice of Statistics: TI-83/89 Graphing Calculator Enhanced ReviewsNovember 30, 2008 Teachers: shun this book I teach AP Statistics out of this book, and I dislike it intensely. The problem isn't with the statistical concepts, which are on a par with other AP Statistics books, but with the organization of the book and support materials as an aid for teachers: 1) The topics are treated in a non-standard and unintuitive order. Data production is only introduced after data analysis. Regression is introduced far too early, and entirely without mathematical justification. 2) The problems are peppered throughout the text, rather than placed conveniently at the end of the chapter. The problems are very uneven in terms of effort-to-learning. 3) Key topics are buried in problems, and not highlighted in the teacher's support materials. 4) Support materials are scattered - some in the teacher's edition, some in the solutions guide, some in the Resource Binder. 5) The Resource Binder is detailed, but organized in a completely haphazard fashion; it's a hodge-podge of "oh, by the way, here's some stuff that worked when I taught it that one time" nuggets, rather than a planned support for teachers. "Guidance" is colloquial and unplanned. It does me no good to write "you might be tempted to delay this section until chapter 13 and then..." [Resource Binder, teacher commentary on section 4.2] -- either this is the time to introduce the concept or it isn't; I expect the textbook's authors to have worked this out. Significantly, the Resource Binder is not a corrected version of the 2nd Edition, but an almost entirely new work with different concepts, different suggestions, and different errors and typos. It's as if the authors didn't correct the last edition, but simply started over. 6) There are FAR too many errors in the the teaching guide, the solutions manual and the Resource Binder. Be prepared to do EVERY problem you assign, because you can NEVER rely on the answer keys. This is especially egregious on Chapter tests. 7) The mathematical motivation for some concepts is non-existent. The authors go so far as to state that some key concepts are "advanced mathematics" - but they then go no further. I find that I am continually supplementing the math concepts with another text. 8) The writing is flabby and meandering. Students report that they find it garrulous and tedious. I can add more, but you get the gist of it. I address this review to teachers who are handed this book to consider for adoption: do NOT adopt it. Roxy Peck's book, which I've also used, is far superior, especially in its organization for a teacher's use. I am sure there are other good texts, but this isn't one of them - at least from the teacher's viewpoint. October 7, 2007 Decent Book I think this book does a alright job for preparing someone for the AP exam. However the setup is a little different and annoying from the previous edition at certain spots. This one is up to date and the questions deal with more recent issues. Size wise its the same as the previous, so at least you don't have to drag a fat book around. Overall not the worst textbook I've ever had. September 12, 2007 ehhh This book is alright. We just started using it in our statistics class. It is a very boring book and is not very well organized. I hate how the problems are not all in one section. July 5, 2007 Practice of Statistics It is a textbook for a math class. How good could it possibly be? May 13, 2006 Good text for AP Stats students I teach high school AP Statistics and use this textbook. I think the text does a great job of covering all the topics needed for the Exam and provides a good mix of thought-provoking problems and good explanations of procedures if you take the time to carefully read. As one reviewer pointed out, the problems are interspersed througout a section, not all grouped at the end of a section. This makes it awkward when trying to find a particular problem number. Also, as mentioned, the headings could have been done better to help outline the sections and chapters more easily. February 25, 2006 Very good This book is very nice and easy to understand and amazon was very quick about sending the book in good condition November 15, 2005 Best math text I have ever used This is by far the best math text I have ever used in my life. Coming into my AP Statistics course this year, I was someone who had always hated math and never done quite as well in it as in other subject areas--I thought math wasn't for me. The combination of an amazing teacher this year and this book changed all that. The real world examples used in this stats text make the entire thing completely practically applicable. It's literally changed the entire way I think and see the world around me. I'm not even halfway through the book with the class, but now I understand what Descartes meant when he said "Give me mathematics, and I can build you a world." This text has definitely changed my view on mathematics, allowing me to see that, indeed, absolutely everything is statistical and mathematical. I am now even thinking about majoring in Statistics in college. Simply an awesome, awesome text. Five stars and then some! September 29, 2005 ap stat i saved 40 dollars buying this book versus the 96 dollar one they sell at my school. it is awesome and perfect, i love it. September 18, 2005 Average This is much different than any other math book I've seen. The homework exercises are all throughout the chapters and it can be difficult to find them. Also, the information is not organized nicely with headings, so it is a difficult book to study with as it is hard to find what you are looking for. I had to buy this book for a college course, but as a stats book to own because you want to, it is probably not the best. January 13, 2004 Decent statistics book, crap solutions. This latest edition does a decent job of explaining the world of statistics. They also provide step by step instructions for TI-83 and TI-92 calculator use as well. What makes this book good is the use of "real world" data not some made up study to generate statistical problems. However, the solutions are very poor. Many answers in the back of the book are incorrect and the solutions manual is of little help. The Professor finaly generated her own solutions manual and handed it out to the students. My favorite part in the book is the history lessons (one pagers) about famous people in statistics. Ever wonder how Statistics and Beer are related? Turn to chapter eleven and find out. For more The Practice of Statistics: TI-83/89 Graphing Calculator Enhanced reviews click here.
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