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Algebra Word Problems Practice Workbook with Full Solutions
The author, Chris McMullen, Ph.D., has over twenty years of experience teaching word problems and math skills to physics students. He prepared this workbook (with full solutions to every problem) to share his strategies for solving algebra word problems. 30 fully-solved examples serve as a guide. 70 practice exercises include full solutions. A quick algebra refresher reviews essential skills. A chapter on strategies and tips introduces the basic concepts. A variety of word topics are covered, including: age problems, problems with integers, relating the digits of a number, fractions, decimals, and percentages, average values, ratios and proportions, problems with money, simple interest problems, rate problems, two moving objects, mixture problems, people working together, problems with levers, and perimeter and area.
215 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2019
182 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
About the author
Chris McMullen
180 books319 followersDr. Chris McMullen has over 20 years of experience teaching university physics in California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. Dr. McMullen is also an author of math and science books. Whether in the classroom or as a writer, Dr. McMullen loves sharing knowledge and the art of motivating and engaging students.
Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics) from Oklahoma State University in 2002. Originally from California, Dr. McMullen earned his Master's degree from California State University, Northridge, where his thesis was in the field of electron spin resonance.
Dr. McMullen is well-known for:
• engaging students in challenging ideas through creativity
• breaking difficult problems down into manageable steps
• providing clear and convincing explanations to subtle issues
• his mastery of physics and strong background in mathematics
• helping students become more fluent in practical math skills
As a physics teacher, Dr. McMullen observed that many students lack fluency in fundamental math skills. In an effort to help students of all ages and levels master basic math skills, he published a series of math workbooks on arithmetic, fractions, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus called the Improve Your Math Fluency Series. Dr. McMullen has also published a variety of science books, including introductions to basic astronomy and chemistry concepts in addition to physics workbooks.
Dr. McMullen is very passionate about teaching. Many students and observers have been impressed with the transformation that occurs when he walks into the classroom, and the interactive engaged discussions that he leads during class time. Dr. McMullen is well-known for drawing monkeys and using them in his physics examples and problems, using his creativity to inspire students. A stressed-out student is likely to be told to throw some bananas at monkeys, smile, and think happy physics thoughts.
Dr. McMullen first published The Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volumes 1 and 2, to share his passion for the geometry and physics of the fourth dimension. Dr. McMullen has coauthored a half-dozen articles on current and future collider searches for large extra dimensions.
In addition to writing and teaching, Dr. McMullen enjoys Scrabble, golf, and chess.
Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics) from Oklahoma State University in 2002. Originally from California, Dr. McMullen earned his Master's degree from California State University, Northridge, where his thesis was in the field of electron spin resonance.
Dr. McMullen is well-known for:
• engaging students in challenging ideas through creativity
• breaking difficult problems down into manageable steps
• providing clear and convincing explanations to subtle issues
• his mastery of physics and strong background in mathematics
• helping students become more fluent in practical math skills
As a physics teacher, Dr. McMullen observed that many students lack fluency in fundamental math skills. In an effort to help students of all ages and levels master basic math skills, he published a series of math workbooks on arithmetic, fractions, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus called the Improve Your Math Fluency Series. Dr. McMullen has also published a variety of science books, including introductions to basic astronomy and chemistry concepts in addition to physics workbooks.
Dr. McMullen is very passionate about teaching. Many students and observers have been impressed with the transformation that occurs when he walks into the classroom, and the interactive engaged discussions that he leads during class time. Dr. McMullen is well-known for drawing monkeys and using them in his physics examples and problems, using his creativity to inspire students. A stressed-out student is likely to be told to throw some bananas at monkeys, smile, and think happy physics thoughts.
Dr. McMullen first published The Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volumes 1 and 2, to share his passion for the geometry and physics of the fourth dimension. Dr. McMullen has coauthored a half-dozen articles on current and future collider searches for large extra dimensions.
In addition to writing and teaching, Dr. McMullen enjoys Scrabble, golf, and chess.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 23, 2024
This was a free read thanks to Goodreads - Free Read Program, and for that I thank them!
What we have here, I would not recommend to those students of Algebra that are just starting out, however for those that have put some time in, and need some extra practice for those challenging word problems and how to properly break them down, this is certainly a resource to check out. Numerous examples with highly detailed breakdowns on how to work towards the correct solution with the added bonus of checking your work included. The nice thing here is the author really did a nice job of mixing things up a bit and provided a wide variety of differing examples with not getting to wrapped around a certain style of a work problem. His ways of showing the reader how to analyze and breakdown a problem prior to attempting to solve it is extremely helpful as that is always the challenge with word problems, discerning the relevant information from the filler, and modeling it out the correct way.
My only criticism here, and yes, I understand it is a workbook, is that I would like to see a little bit more attention to instruction and explanation to the concepts as with most math text, they always come off as very rigid which is a challenge to those students who struggle with the subject matter. Perhaps the author could explain something in a way that a student understands more clearly that their classroom instructor? Just a thought.
What we have here, I would not recommend to those students of Algebra that are just starting out, however for those that have put some time in, and need some extra practice for those challenging word problems and how to properly break them down, this is certainly a resource to check out. Numerous examples with highly detailed breakdowns on how to work towards the correct solution with the added bonus of checking your work included. The nice thing here is the author really did a nice job of mixing things up a bit and provided a wide variety of differing examples with not getting to wrapped around a certain style of a work problem. His ways of showing the reader how to analyze and breakdown a problem prior to attempting to solve it is extremely helpful as that is always the challenge with word problems, discerning the relevant information from the filler, and modeling it out the correct way.
My only criticism here, and yes, I understand it is a workbook, is that I would like to see a little bit more attention to instruction and explanation to the concepts as with most math text, they always come off as very rigid which is a challenge to those students who struggle with the subject matter. Perhaps the author could explain something in a way that a student understands more clearly that their classroom instructor? Just a thought.
August 7, 2025
I think we can all agree that word problems are the most fun part of mathematics. Algebra Word Problems Practice Workbook by Chris McMullen contains 100 word problems that require some algebraic understanding to solve. This selection of problems comes with complete, step-by-step solutions. These problems shouldn’t be difficult to solve even for beginners, but if you get stuck, the author has done a tremendous job of explaining everything in clear, accessible language.
Overall, the quality of the problems in the book was noteworthy. I enjoyed solving all of them. Especially the mixture, work and area problems, which were my favourites. However, the book does miss some crucial topics like compound interest, probability and volume. I always prefer quality over quantity, but I can’t help feeling that a math workbook should include more than 100 problems. Maybe McMullen could include a few more topics and increase the total number of problems in a future edition.
The quality of the content in the workbook is excellent, but you’ll definitely want more once you’re done. Despite that, I highly recommend this book.
Overall, the quality of the problems in the book was noteworthy. I enjoyed solving all of them. Especially the mixture, work and area problems, which were my favourites. However, the book does miss some crucial topics like compound interest, probability and volume. I always prefer quality over quantity, but I can’t help feeling that a math workbook should include more than 100 problems. Maybe McMullen could include a few more topics and increase the total number of problems in a future edition.
The quality of the content in the workbook is excellent, but you’ll definitely want more once you’re done. Despite that, I highly recommend this book.
May 8, 2019
When I was in Jr High and High school I hated math and in particular, I hated word problems. So, I went back to school as a non-traditional aka older student and found that I actually like them now. Now, I am not a good math student and I have to think through each of the steps as I go. This book works through each problem that way. Each step is fully thought out. I think this will benefit students who are unsure of where to proceed with the problem. I worked through several problems, skipping through the book to get different levels and found all of the solutions to be thorough. I won this book in a giveaway, but the opinion is all my own.
June 6, 2019
Where I like sudoku, my husband likes math problems, so he was the true test of this workbook's caliber. The workbook passed the husband test with two thumbs up!
His analysis: good problems, with solutions that offer information about solving the problem. For a guy who is decades from his last algebra classroom, there was enough information to refresh his memory, and the problems were hard enough to be a good challenge.
Our thanks to the author for providing an advanced reader's copy through a Goodreads giveaway. This will get a lot more attention after our long summer days have turned back to long winter nights.
His analysis: good problems, with solutions that offer information about solving the problem. For a guy who is decades from his last algebra classroom, there was enough information to refresh his memory, and the problems were hard enough to be a good challenge.
Our thanks to the author for providing an advanced reader's copy through a Goodreads giveaway. This will get a lot more attention after our long summer days have turned back to long winter nights.
April 25, 2019
I won this book on Goodreads. I loved this workbook! I also LOVED algebra, but it has been decades since I had the class. I am one of the people who actually have used algebra throughout my life, especially proportions. I liked this workbook because it was simple and direct. It has a table of contents and index for quick reference. Most importantly, it has tips/suggestions about how to approach the algebra problems and tangentially any problem. The workbook also has 70 word problems and their corresponding solutions. The author gives an explanation of how to work each problem as well as the answer. This is rarely found. The explanations lead the reader through the logical reasoning.
April 26, 2019
I won this for free from the Goodreads free book giveaway contest and this is EXACTLY what I wanted as my youngest is getting ready to start Algebra. It's been too long for me to recall all the steps in Algebra but this guide gives you the processes you need to do it right. That to me is the best part so you aren't wasting so much time trying to figure out everything on your own. Thank you Mr. McMullen!!
June 28, 2019
I love these books! I love freshening up on my math skills, and it is also an enjoyable activity when I get bored. I would also recommend these to students or anyone else who needs practice. My copy of this book was received from a Goodreads giveaway and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews