Have a classmate, lend you their book from time to time to note any changes you need to know. This happens quite a bit. I depends on the subject.

Math books sometimes don’t greatly changes just the problems and their order.

Ooo yea.I had that problem with my accounts book.

Really annoying in the begining, all the page numbers and chapters were a little off, and some sections didn’t have the same questions or updated case studies..

I got used to it though, I had a friend in the same class, and I used to check his book for what exactly we were assigned to do, and then find it in my own, if it wasnt there, i’d usually take it down, but it was very very tedious. [but i was broke 🙂 so theres my motivation]-

Thing is, the theory doesn’t really change that much, if its more theory then problems, like business instead of math or something, then make do with the one ye have.

Just to be on the safe side, grab your profs 6th edition and compare it to your 5th edition, if its too confusing to follow or very different, even past just different page numbers and big chunks are missing, then buy a second hand or return the one you have to a bookshop and get some money of it.I’m sure your institution has a second hand textbook facility, if need be.

Borrow.

Adious

If you are going to use a “used” textbook it is best to make sure it is the correct version.I always bought used if I could get the correct version in good condition.Sometimes that just isn’t possible and you just need to spring for the new book.It is harder to use an older version.I did have to do that once (I was lazy and waited until the day of the class to get the book) it was all sold out, except an older version.Sometimes they are missing parts of the text.Or the chapters may be arranged differently.It is a pain in the **** enough to keep up with your reading.Trying to figure out what to read and if it’s right and complete makes things worse.It may also have older information that may no longer be accurate.Especially if this is a history book or in the case of science or anything to do with computers.When you are done with the book sell it back to the bookstore.I always did!And the newer version will bring you more money back then the older version.They may not even take the older version at all.Textbook prices sting, trust me I know.But if you’re going to pay for college, you should make sure you get the best education you can out of it.

Nah don’t buy one

its gonna have the same things again but with just little bits of new info in it

if you dont have some stuff that arent in the book, then just ask a friend for a quick look or lend

but its up to you

I’d just go out and buy the new textbook (see if you can buy a used one on amazon; if you can, you may just use the old one until the new one arrives). Using the old textbook could cause a major problem for you if your instructor assigns problems from the textbook.

On the one hand, they change these books more often than they really need to just to make extra money.

On the other hand you’ll save maybe $50-$100 or so? Compare that with your tuition costs for the course, and the long term value of your education, and decide whether you really think it’s being intelligently frugal, or penny-wise, pound foolish.

The teacher may not accept it. I had that happen in a class. Contact the teacher first or buy the book twice if you find he wants 6th.

just compare your book periodically to other students in your class, in most cases textbooks change little from edition to edition