Old Leaving Cert Maths Books

rocuronium

I'm need to brush up on my maths. I figure the best place to start is to go over the maths I did for leaving certificate back in 1996. The books I used were Text & Tests 4/5 (I think) for Leaving Certificate Higher Level by O.D. Morris. The books were new editions for a relatively new course at the time which introduced options including further calculus, further probability and statistics and groups. The first one was green and the second one was purple. I know they have been superseeded by newer editions but I'm thinking it's better to go back to the ones I know. The course has probably changed since those books were in use anyway? My school supplied the books each year so never got to keep them.

Anyone know where I could get those books now?

If not are there better ones that would be more worth my while using for revision?

LeixlipRed

The exact same books are still on sale today in any bookstore that stocks secondary school books. The LC Honours books don't contain any pound signs so I don't think they needed to be updated when the euro came in like the JC ones were. Any new editions would be identical anyway. I still have mine at home and would use them for time to time as they're excellent when you're stuck for a simple explanation of something

Michael Collins

Yeh I think the old Morris O.D. books are way better than the new ones. Apart from the better explainations, they're laid out much nicer - which is as important in readability terms. The course hasn't changed in ages. The course examined in 1994 was the last change I think.

MathsManiac

You might pick them up second hand at www.schoolbooksonline.ie

rocuronium

Thanks for the info guys.

Checked out the new editions (2004) of Text & Tests 4/5 in the shops. Although 4 seems fairly much the same as the pre 2004 edition, 5 is definitely thinner than I remember. Although I could be wrong, was there not a chapter covering the option on further probability and statistics in the pre-2004 editions? As it happens, this was one of the main things I was looking for.

If there wasn't, I guess the new editions will suffice but I have the feeling I knew a lot more statistics for Leaving Cert than is in book 4.

LeixlipRed

In my copy of 5 there's a section on te option probability/stats question so they must have taken it out. Is groups and calc still in it?

rocuronium

Thanks Leix

Yeah the section on groups is gone along with prob & stats with the only option included being further calculus; I read somewhere that the section on groups is available separately. Anyway, my question is answered - the editions are not exactly the same. Pity because prob & stats and groups/group theory were the two options that I did and was most looking forward to getting back to. Oh well, seems like I'll have to use some "grown up" books instead as it's unlikely I'd be able to lay my hands on the older editions anywhere now.

Thanks for your help

MathsManiac

On the other hand, buying the two booklets should be cheaper than buying the full book...