Jacobs Math vs Teaching Textbooks Math
The sharpest difference is screen time: Jacobs Math is fully offline, Teaching Textbooks Math is mostly digital. Six more come apart as well, so the two have little in common past the subject.
At a glance
Jacobs Math
Grades 8-12
Owners report it suits
Advanced/giftedTeaching Textbooks Math
Grades 3-12
Owners report it suits
Math-anxious parentsBoth are reported to suit Independent workers.
Skip to who fitsWhere they differ
| Attribute | Jacobs Math | Teaching Textbooks Math |
|---|---|---|
Rigor
?How demanding the material is versus grade level. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Parent involvement
?How much the parent is present and teaching. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Prep load
?How much the parent prepares before a lesson. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Screen time
?How much daily work is on a device. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Independence
?How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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| Approach | Mastery | Spiral |
| Format | Textbook | Online |
| Best for Tags show where owners consistently report a good fit. They are not exclusions. | Independent workersAdvanced/gifted | Independent workersMath-anxious parents |
| Method | ClassicalTraditionalTraditional textbookProblem-solving/Socratic | Video-led/self-pacedAdaptive online |
| Grades | 8-12 | 3-12 |
Solid tags are unique to that program. Muted tags are carried by both.
Where they match
- Time commitmentboth 25 to 40 min
- Faith contentboth Light
- Used asboth Spine
How each one plays by grade
Jacobs Math
Grades 8-12
Typically Algebra 1 in 8th or 9th, then Jacobs Geometry the next year. Strong students go on to Foerster or another Algebra 2 and Trigonometry.
Teaching Textbooks Math
Grades 3-12
Cost
| Cost item | Jacobs Math | Teaching Textbooks Math |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $77-280 depending on package | $50-200/yr |
| Consumable | No | No |
| Per child / year | ~$130-250 first child, far less after | ~$50-70 |
What parents report
Jacobs Math
Consistently praised
- Teaches the concepts instead of just formulas
- Cartoons and real-life problems keep it interesting
- Parents say they finally understood algebra
- The Callahan videos rescue shaky parents
- Prepared kids well for science and college math
Reported as challenges
- The instructor guide is thin on explanation
- One curveball problem per set can stump you
- Some students find it too easy or slow
- Most families need the DVDs or a math-confident parent
Teaching Textbooks Math
Consistently praised
- Self-grading saves parent time
- Kids can work independently
- Clear video lessons
- Low prep
Reported as challenges
- Considered light/below grade by some
- Fewer challenging word problems
- Subscription cost recurs yearly
Who Jacobs Math fits
Suits a college-bound student who likes reading and reasoning through problems, plus a parent willing to add the Ask Dr. Callahan videos if math isn't their strength. A family wanting a self-grading, hands-off program or heavy daily drill will be happier elsewhere.
Read the full Jacobs Math entry Check price Master BooksWho Teaching Textbooks Math fits
Independent, screen-comfortable learners whose parents want to step back, and parents who aren't confident in the math themselves. Families who want a parent at the table, paper on the desk, or an accelerated track should keep looking.
Read the full Teaching Textbooks Math entry Check price Teaching TextbooksSome links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes how a curriculum is described or scored.
Still deciding?
Jacobs Math compared with
Teaching Textbooks Math compared with
See all 17 Teaching Textbooks Math comparisonsDescriptions aggregate what homeschool parents consistently report across public community sources together with each publisher's own materials. Prices and editions change over time. Both entries last reviewed July 2026.