Does it matter in college if you buy a textbook that is 2 yrs older than the textbook required?
KAREN asked:
I am taking a math course and the instructor wants a 2008 4th edition copy to be used compared to a cheaper book from 2006. Would the pages be that different??
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I am taking a math course and the instructor wants a 2008 4th edition copy to be used compared to a cheaper book from 2006. Would the pages be that different??
January 19th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
If you use the older version, have a friend with the newer version so you can check page numbers and problems - often there are small changes that can build up to you failing the homework if you didn’t check the assignment against the newest version. eri
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:51 pm
You need to go through both books at the same time and compare them page by page. Some revisions are very minor and others are major. Even if only one per cent of the problems are different, you will probably need the new book, unfortunately. ownpool
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:12 pm
compare with the new edition If there are no changes you can buy
otherwise go for new edition only. punarvasu
January 25th, 2010 at 2:12 am
Even though books change little from edition to edition, I would check whether there is something in specific your professor wants to use (for example: different exercises for math assignments, or writing topics for composition courses), its hard for us to recommend something w/o specifics.
If still undecided: buy the newer version online for less, or talk to people who took the course last semester to see if you can get their books cheap. Also check your library for a semester-loaner.
Sorry, its hard for us to tell you what to do. Andre P