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[quote=pettifogger][quote=Anonymous][quote=pettifogger][quote=Anonymous]It's true thay AOPS Intermediate Algebra has a lot of more abstract math (like factoring and solving [b]polynomials,[/b] conic sections, and functional equations), that isn't relevant to the STE part of STEM.

If you aren't focused on math for math's sake, you can skip a lot of the AOPS material and problems, and stick with Khan and Brilliant type stuff which focuses more on the math for engineering and technology. [/quote]

Polynomials are not relevant in science and engineering?? I beg to differ.[/quote]

"Polynomials" are covered in Intro Algebra.  Professionals use calculators and computers for numerical methods, not Vieta's Formulas and rational roots. [/quote]
Your comment is quite misleading. Polynomials were barely touched upon in the Intro book; there were only two sections of very basic material. The core and heart of polynomials, namely polynomial division, polynomial roots, including the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, is all covered in the Intermediate Algebra book. In fact, a big portion of this material is standard K12 school material, required in an algebra 2 or precalculus class and is critical to STEM. This material is of course also found in Khan and any other algebra textbook or algebra course (though taught much more procedurally, and/or by rote). Where I do agree with you is that yes, in addition to what I just described, The AoPS Intermediate Algebra textbook goes way beyond a typical Algebra 2 course, even delving into high level math contest topics with chapters on advanced inequalities and functional equations.

The Intro to Algebra book, while very good, does not come close to covering all the algebra students need to be successful in STEM, that's why it is an intro course. While it may be ok to take a school based Precalculus course after taking the AoPS Intro series books, (largely because many algebraic topics are sometimes taught in a K12 typical precalc class), I would [b]not [/b]recommend directly going into AoPS Precalculus just from the Intro Series.[/quote]

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