I needed a quick refresher because I am job hunting and this sometimes comes up on interviews due to my occupation. I havent had to use this type of math for quite a while though. I dont disagree however with some reviewers who have complained that the material is not really written for beginners. I had to struggle with much of the book and had to go over certain chapters more than once. Also, there isn't nearly enough explanation of certain key concepts. You are expected, for example, to accept that a complicated equation is an equation with a power no greater than 2 in which the equation is set to equal zero. However the accompanying workbook was a great help; in fact, there is just enough explanation of each concept in each chapter of the workbook that I could almost recommend buying the workbook as well as the main textbook. In the end, though it was a struggle at times, I was able to teach myself algebra from this book, and was able to take my placement exam with a passing grade. Like some other commenters. I bought this book because I am looking for a new job 2 years after leaving my prior one, and was advised that I should be ready to answer questions on it. I was panicked, because I was never a strong math student and haven't taken a math class in more than 20 years.