A first glimpse of Harold Jacobs’ timeless algebra book reveals what most of us think of as a textbook. The lessons are grouped by topic and contain a short introduction to the concept before launching into a plethora of problems, including a few review and a lot of lesson specific problems. While each lesson contains review problems, there are not a vast amount. The text clearly expects you to master the previous concept before continuing. While the student can learn the necessary information about the new concept from the text, there is little assistance built into the text for the struggling math learner. The text was clearly designed for use in a classroom alongside a teacher to introduce each topic to the student.
Harold Jacobs produced two high school level math books in all. The algebra text, included in this review, and the geometry text. Both of these were published in the 1970s and are considered classics. The text itself is favored among classical educators for its in-depth material and focus on definitions. The algebra book actually covers more than a more modern algebra textbook typically covers. In fact, a student who completes this book fully is about half-way through algebra 2. Unfortunately, finding an algebra 2 text to pick up where this book leaves off can be difficult. Truly, I have only found one.
Scio Academy’s algebra course videos are based on the units in Jacobs’ algebra, because Jacobs is one of the most thorough algebra texts available for classical educators.
Jacobs algebra was out of print for a few years, but Masterbooks (masterbooks.com) republished this great text only a few years ago. The new version does not seem to have some of the practice problem sets that the older books have. If you are intent on giving your student a lot of practice, then try to find a 1970s version on ebay.
Who should use Jacobs algebra?
The student who loves math, will thrive with this book. The student who sort of understands math, but doesn’t love it, will succeed with this book. The student who hates math and doesn’t understand it without severe help, will struggle with this book.
If you are searching for a solid dependable algebra text you can use with your student, then this book is for you. If you struggle with giving your student the help of additional explanations and answering specific questions, then Scio Academy is for your student. Your student can complete Jacobs’ traditional text alongside our algebra weekly webinar and video helps and thrive with math this year!
Jacobs Algebra Review Summary
Some cons may be pros for you and vice versa. That’s okay!
Pros
- Complete
- Fun to read
- Daily assignments are clear
- Emphasis on mastery
- Plethora of practice problems
- Includes some math history
Cons
- Instructions can be hard to follow
- The “how” is sometimes unclear for rushed readers
- Intended to be used with a math teacher
- Shortage of review problems
Would you mind sharing what one book picks up where Harold Jacobs Elementary Algebra leaves off? Thanks.
Harold Jacob has a Geometry text that picks up where Algebra left off. Past geometry Foerster’s Algebra 2 and Trigonometry are solid. Saxon is popular. The Art of Problem Solving texts are advanced and thorough.
Hi. So, when you say “Truly, I have found only one,” you were referring to Forester’s? My son is a math lover who is currently on lesson 11 in Jacob’s Algebra (and loving it!), but it makes me nervous not to have a plan after geometry. Please share! Thanks.
Hi! I was actually referring to Jacobs’ Geometry. For algebra 2 and beyond the Art of Problem Solving’s intermediate Algebra is a great option. Foerster’s Algebra 2 is fantastic, but in order for a student to be truly prepared for that text, I really feel that he’d benefit from doing some of Foerster’s algebra 1. Foerster’s texts are both very solid and challenging, but they lack instruction for the student. They are designed, like Jacobs, for students to have a teacher walk them through it.