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Calculus for Dummies (For Dummies)

by

Calculus for Dummies (For Dummies) Cover

ISBN13: 9780764524981
ISBN10: 0764524984
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The mere thought of having to take a required calculus course is enough to make legions of students break out in a cold sweat. Others who have no intention of ever studying the subject have this notion that calculus is impossibly difficult unless you happen to be a direct descendant of Einstein.

Well, the good news is that you can master calculus. It's not nearly as tough as its mystique would lead you to think. Much of calculus is really just very advanced algebra, geometry, and trig. It builds upon and is a logical extension of those subjects. If you can do algebra, geometry, and trig, you can do calculus.

Calculus For Dummies is intended for three groups of readers:

  • Students taking their first calculus course – If you're enrolled in a calculus course and you find your textbook less than crystal clear, this is the book for you. It covers the most important topics in the first year of calculus: differentiation, integration, and infinite series.
  • Students who need to brush up on their calculus to prepare for other studies – If you've had elementary calculus, but it's been a couple of years and you want to review the concepts to prepare for, say, some graduate program, Calculus For Dummies will give you a thorough, no-nonsense refresher course.
  • Adults of all ages who'd like a good introduction to the subject – Non-student readers will find the book's exposition clear and accessible. Calculus For Dummies takes calculus out of the ivory tower and brings it down to earth.

This is a user-friendly math book. Whenever possible, the author explains the calculus concepts by showing you connections between the calculus ideas and easier ideas from algebra and geometry. Then, you'll see how the calculus concepts work in concrete examples. All explanations are in plain English, not math-speak. Calculus For Dummies covers the following topics and more:

  • Real-world examples of calculus
  • The two big ideas of calculus: differentiation and integration
  • Why calculus works
  • Pre-algebra and algebra review
  • Common functions and their graphs
  • Limits and continuity
  • Integration and approximating area
  • Sequences and series

Don't buy the misconception. Sure calculus is difficult – but it's manageable, doable. You made it through algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Well, calculus just picks up where they leave off – it's simply the next step in a logical progression.

Synopsis:

EACH DUMMIES BOOK FEATURES- Plain-English explanations- "Get in, get out" information- Icons and other navigational aids- A tear-out cheat sheet- Top-ten lists- A dash of humor and fun

Synopsis:

This book will be one of few on the market that not only gives the reader the essential elements of calculus but also explains why calculus matters. Coverage will include the reason for calculus, limits, continuity, functions, vectors, multiple variables, sequences, derivatives, differentiation, integration, word problems, curve sketching problems, integral theorems, the mean value theorem, natural logarithms, numerical approximation, and conic sections.

Also included will be numerous real-life examples and handy integral tables of trigonometric and reduction formulas and formulas involving quadratic expressions and the exponential function.

Synopsis:

With easy-to-understand explanations, memorable examples, and helpful shortcuts, maths teacher Mark Ryan takes the mystery out of calculus concepts and problems - everything from limits, derivatives, and integration to word problems, integral theorems, and conic sections.

Synopsis:

Features the rules, definitions, and formulas you need to know

Conquer your fear of calculus the fun and easy way!

Confused by the complexities of calculus? This easy-to-understand guide takes the mystery out of key calculus concepts such as limits, differentiation, and integration. You’ll ease into the basics with clear explanations, clever shortcuts, and real-life examples to help you – and you’ll discover that calculus isn’t so tough after all.

The Dummies Way

  • Explanations in plain English
  • "Get in, get out" information
  • Icons and other navigational aids
  • Tear-out cheat sheet
  • Top ten lists
  • A dash of humor and fun

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About the Author

Mark Ryan has taught pre-math through calculus for more than a decade. He is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
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Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: An Overview of Calculus.

Chapter 1: What Is Calculus?

Chapter 2: The Two Big Ideas of Calculus: Differentiation and Integration.

Chapter 3: Why Calculus Works.

Part II: Warming Up with Calculus Prerequisites.

Chapter 4: Pre-Algebra and Algebra Review.

Chapter 5: Funky Functions and Their Groovy Graphs.

Chapter 6: The Trig Tango.

Part III: Limits.

Chapter 7: Limits and Continuity.

Chapter 8: Evaluating Limits.

Part IV: Differentiation.

Chapter 9: Differentiation Orientation.

Chapter 10: Differentiation Rules — Yeah, Man, It Rules.

Chapter 11: Differentiation and the Shape of Curves.

Chapter 12: Your Problems Are Solved: Differentiation to the Rescue!

Part V: Integration and Infinite Series.

Chapter 13: Intro to Integration and Approximating Area.

Chapter 14: Integration: It’s Backwards Differentiation.

Chapter 15: Integration Techniques for Experts.

Chapter 16: Forget Dr. Phil: Use the Integral to Solve Problems.

Chapter 17: Infinite Series.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 18: Ten Things to Remember.

Chapter 19: Ten Things to Forget.

Chapter 20: Ten Things You Can’t Get Away With.

Index.

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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
tbasjr, May 4, 2007 (view all comments by tbasjr)
For whatever reason, at my stage of life I want to learn things?whether they involve math, history, foreign languages, etc. I enjoy learning. Having been away from college for many years, I wanted to review calculus and learn some new aspects of the subject. I wanted to do it as quickly and easily as possible. Calculus for Dummies enabled me to accomplish my objective. Mark Ryan, its author, de-mystifies the subject and makes it easy (well, relatively) and fun. Who would have thought that humor, of all things, could be injected into the study of calculus? But Mark found a way to do it!

Calculus for Dummies does everything possible to help the reader grasp calculus. There is a quick and to-the-point review of essential algebra, trigonometry, and analytic geometry concepts necessary for understanding and working with calculus. Mark?s explanations of the derivative and the integral are superb. And there are a number of problems presented which help reinforce the learning process.

The bottom line, however, is that Calculus for Dummies not only covers calculus but it does it in a very clear manner so you can learn the subject quickly. It is an interesting book. How many times have you seen a calculus book that was interesting? Most calculus books are, unfortunately, written by people who really don?t care if the reader grasps the subject or not?and they tend to be written in abstruse ?math speak.? I am happy to have found Mark?s book Calculus for Dummies. I would highly recommend it. I am waiting for perhaps a follow-up book from him on slightly more advanced calculus concepts.
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pangealand, February 7, 2007 (view all comments by pangealand)
I bought this book to help me with my Calc II class which I wasn't understanding at all. It helped me understand integrals and other concepts that my textbook went way over my head with.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780764524981
Author:
Ryan, Mark
Publisher:
For Dummies
Location:
New York
Subject:
General
Subject:
Calculus
Subject:
Mathematics-Calculus
Subject:
Introductory Calculus
Copyright:
2003
Edition Description:
Lifestyles Paperback
Series:
For Dummies
Series Volume:
291
Publication Date:
20030909
Binding:
Electronic book text in proprietary or open standard format
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
384
Dimensions:
9.16x7.42x.85 in. 1.27 lbs.
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Product details 384 pages For Dummies - English 9780764524981 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by , EACH DUMMIES BOOK FEATURES- Plain-English explanations- "Get in, get out" information- Icons and other navigational aids- A tear-out cheat sheet- Top-ten lists- A dash of humor and fun
"Synopsis" by , This book will be one of few on the market that not only gives the reader the essential elements of calculus but also explains why calculus matters. Coverage will include the reason for calculus, limits, continuity, functions, vectors, multiple variables, sequences, derivatives, differentiation, integration, word problems, curve sketching problems, integral theorems, the mean value theorem, natural logarithms, numerical approximation, and conic sections.

Also included will be numerous real-life examples and handy integral tables of trigonometric and reduction formulas and formulas involving quadratic expressions and the exponential function.

"Synopsis" by , With easy-to-understand explanations, memorable examples, and helpful shortcuts, maths teacher Mark Ryan takes the mystery out of calculus concepts and problems - everything from limits, derivatives, and integration to word problems, integral theorems, and conic sections.
"Synopsis" by , Features the rules, definitions, and formulas you need to know

Conquer your fear of calculus the fun and easy way!

Confused by the complexities of calculus? This easy-to-understand guide takes the mystery out of key calculus concepts such as limits, differentiation, and integration. You’ll ease into the basics with clear explanations, clever shortcuts, and real-life examples to help you – and you’ll discover that calculus isn’t so tough after all.

The Dummies Way

  • Explanations in plain English
  • "Get in, get out" information
  • Icons and other navigational aids
  • Tear-out cheat sheet
  • Top ten lists
  • A dash of humor and fun
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