Different editions for school?

Question

i buying books online for school and i am finding different editions for certain books.

do different editions mean different material as well(science book)??

because the older edition is cheaper, but the school list the new edition to buy.

if its the same material, then i might get the old one.

Answer 1

Most textbooks don't change much from edition to edition (especially if they're on the 10th or so edition) but what can change are the page numbers and problem numbers.  So while the material covered will be the same, find someone in the class with the newest edition before you do the reading or homework to check and make sure you're looking at the right pages or problems.

Answer 2

newer editions have newer material/corrections printed in older editions, it is best to get the one that your school asks for