book reviews for the Sciences: Algebm, Trigonometry, and Vectors" by Arthur Beiser is an sttempt t o deviate this former problem. As stated in the preface, "The purpose of this book is to survey the most basic of these tools - algebra, trigonometry, and vectors - and to provide the reader with enough praotice in their use that they assist and not obstruct his exploration of arinnrn . . ... Much of the book will serve . ...~~ a" a review fop most readers. and indeed ~
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chapters which in addition to nmveying dsebra, trigonometry and vectors, provide a' introdu&ian to sooh topics as: exponential notation, significant figllres, logarithms, use of slide rule, approximations and radian measure. Numerous tables t,o assist in ca.lclculations are included in fonr appendices. Each topic is developed briefly and clearly requiring only the knowledge of simple arithmetic, and several examples axe then worked out in considerable detail. Many of these examples are taken from the sciences. Unfortunately the only such example taken from an area other than physics is the pH scale used to illustrate the utility of logarithms. Numerous problems are then given with the answers provided. The book is relatively free from error with only two typographical errors and an error of omission in oversimplifying the pH scde noted on a quick reading. The aulhor intends his work for self stndy. However, it is difficult to imagine
a student t,esrhing himself in a short period of time material which, no matter how clearly presented in a book, he has
been unahle to grasp while being taught for the past few years. Some supervision will mdoubtedly be required and the problem remains a?with all supplementary texts of this type-when and how to implement this supervipion. Certainly the author achieves his purLQse of providing a review of the material for the bet,ter prepared student and this alone would make his work worthwhile. Also, perhaps s better title for the book would have been, "Essential Math for the Introductory Sciences." At any rate, there is no doubt that it would be a real joy to teach a class of general chemistry in which each strident had an understanding of mathematics comparable to that intended by this book.
its ions follow. Further sections include the physical properties of the element, the chemical reactions of the element and some of its ions, and reactions of the ions which occur with a change of valence. Chapters on detection and determination and toxicity conclude the work.
JANET B. VANDOREN College of Wooster Wooster, Ohio Preparative Organic Photochemistry
Alexander S e h h b e ~ g , Technische Universitgt, Berlin. 2nd ed. I n eoaperation with Giinther Otto Schenck and Otto-Albrecht Neumiiller, Max-Planck Institut fur Kohlenforschnng Miilheim/ Rohr. Springer-Verlag, h e . , New York, 1968. xiii 608 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 23..5 em. $37.
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J. R ~ W L A N D DONALD This eomdetelv Indiana State Uni%??~it?/ . revised Enelish lanpnapv e.litim d r h nlwrg's rsrlivr hook, Teme Haute P i O i l . Photorlwro~ic," effectively catalogs the photochemical literature through 1965. Though the Gmelins Handbuch der Anorganischen organization of topics is completely Chemie. 8. Auflage, System arbitrary, i t is efficient and useful. The Nummer 48, Vanadium. Teil A, book provides a most complete reference Liefervng 2, Das Element source to t,he current sitnstion in the photochemical literature. This reviewer Edited by E. H. E. Pietach and the found no reference errors in the selections Gmelin Institute. Verlag Chemie he chose bo cross check. GMBH, Weinheim/Bergstrasse, 1968. One feature of the book will deter all xxii 408 pp. Figs. and tables. 17.5 but the mast affluent, from purchasing a X 25.5 om. 16117.50. copy of Schiinberg. I t costs $37! This volume begins with descriptions DOUGLAS C. NECKERS and methods of preparation and separaHope College tion of the numerous vanadium isotopes. Holland, Michigan Spectroscopic properties of the atom and
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Volume 46, Number 12, December 1969
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A901
