College book question........What is the difference between newer editions of a college text book

[EB2]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Depends on the book- some will have just corrections from one edition to the next, while others will have entire chapters added/deleted. I'd go with the latest edition, unless you want to risk having the wrong information.

I teach a building code class that's based on the 2006 version of the code, yet I have students who try to save a few bucks by buying the 2003 version. There are HUGE differences, and if they use the 2003 code to answer test questions, they do very poorly.

Definitely agree on making sure to have the latest addition....

if you (general) INSIST on saving the 20.00-40.00 because of that, check with the professor and see if the old edition will work just as well as the new. Most will say no, due to their course being based upon the new edition, but every so often you'll find one that won't care so much.

[armx]

Although Bob K's experience is normal -- building codes specify design requirements and are a public safety document --nothing to save money on by using older edition. A colllege book on the other hand may have some minor changes in the new edition. If the old edition is more than a year old and subject of the book is dynamic/evolving in nature e.g. computer programming languge or fire prevention engg. then its the same as the codes above otherwise I agree with Mgt04 assessment

[nykstevenyg]

You need the newest edition so you can match the page numbers with teachers and homeworks. BUTTTT college text books are the biggest rip offs ever,$442 for me this semester and that was a cheaper semester.