I'm taking the course 1st semester and on the book search it says that the books are optional, but how do you have math without a textbook? Are there like handouts/print offs? And should I buy them anyway. I mean they are $175 and I don't want to buy them unless I will use them.

Never buy textbooks prior to attending the first class. Are you sure there's no 'custom courseware' required to buy for the course? Courseware is basically a bound photocopied bunch of handouts that you buy for most courses that are officially put together by your prof for the class. Though for a Math course I'd expect there to be a textbook.

Note: Most textbooks like math, science, physics, etc. have 'online' versions you can get access to online (e-book style, etc) and not have to buy the physical book and it's much cheaper. Or, if you do attend the class and the prof says you should buy the textbook to make your course easier for you... then go to the bookstore and buy the math textbook used, assuming it's a book that didn't come out this year brand new. There's also many other ways to find used textbooks... click the tips/articles link at the top nav and it'll show you a section with a whole bunch of textbook buying tips

You do need it. You do practise questions with it.

Originally Posted by Chad

Note: Most textbooks like math, science, physics, etc. have 'online' versions you can get access to online (e-book style, etc) and not have to buy the physical book and it's much cheaper.

Where can I find the e-books?

you search it on google, not all books have ebooks though. Also there is the odd chance that someone in your program has found the PDF of the textbook, and that could be getting passed through the students in your classes at the start of term also.