One of the most confusing topics in engineering economics is when a project yields multiple IRR values. Blank & Tarquin’s 8th edition dedicates an entire section to the Descartes’ rule of signs and the Norstrom’s criterion, providing Excel-based sensitivity analysis that is still relevant today.

Create or download a clean formula sheet (Excel or PDF) with color-coded factors (P/F, P/A, F/A, etc.). This is better than flipping through the book’s appendix.

Let’s be practical. The 10th edition of Blank & Tarquin can cost over $200 USD new. The 8th edition, available used or via institutional access, provides 95% of the same core knowledge at roughly 20% of the cost. For a student on a budget, "better" means maximizing learning per dollar spent.

Some educators have created unofficial "BETTER" bundles – permission-approved compilations of the 8th edition PDF + separate solution manual + YouTube playlists. While not official, they circulate on sites like StudyLib and Academia.edu. Check reviews before paying.

Pro tip: Before buying, email the seller and ask: "Does this include the full solution manual and Excel spreadsheets in Spanish?" If no, it’s not "BETTER."

After reviewing the content, pedagogy, and market cost, the answer is a definitive yes.

Ingenieria Economica Blank Tarquin 8va Edicion is the BETTER choice for three specific types of people: