Credit for ALEKS Corp (McGraw Hill) Online courses in College Algebra & Statistics

[PeteDude]

The pie is your support and will go over everything you need to learn the material. I cant see books that doesnt make sense.

Different learning styles. Some folks need to have things explained in a different fashion, or need multiple methods to solve a given problem. Books will do this. Web sites can help too, but the writing may not always be as good.

I'm one of those who need to have books handy. Yes, sites like Purplemath are great aids, but my copy of Complete Idiot's Guide to Algebra has gotten dogeared from all the use it's seen. The book's author explains things in a more relaxed fashion smattered with his trademark goofy humor, which makes it a good read at stressful moments.

The ALEKS writing can be overly stiff and formal, sometimes to the point of being obtuse. Sometimes their writing is over-concise, so you just know the explanation is in there, but you can't decipher it because they essentially rushed through writing it. Not to mention, it's tough sometimes to read their explanations on a screen when your eyes are bugging out, or worse-- reading explanations on a screen that you want to throw something at because it just told you you're wrong.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend running out and blowing lots of $$$$ on ALEKS' listed reference books. I think books like the Idiots' and Demystified series (yes, I have both for Algebra AND PreCalculus) are the best bet, and can be had cheap used through Amazon.