Any recommendations for precalculus and calculus practice books?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for precalculus and calculus practice books. Participants share their experiences and preferences regarding books that provide ample problem-solving opportunities, as well as those that may include theoretical content.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with a book they purchased, describing it as more of an encyclopedia than a practical problem-solving resource.
  • Another participant recommends the Schaum series for its extensive problem sets and affordability, noting that the solved problems are presented immediately after the problem statements.
  • A different participant mentions a book titled "Principles of Mathematics" by Allendoerfer and Oakley, highlighting its inclusion of logic and set theory as beneficial for calculus preparation.
  • Several participants suggest various problem solver books, including "Calculus Problem Solver" and "The Humongous Book of Calculus Problems," emphasizing their focus on worked problems rather than theory.
  • One participant points out that while some books provide explanations, they may not be suitable for those seeking drill-style practice.
  • Another participant shares a free online resource that offers a range of topics from algebra to differential equations, including worked examples.
  • There is mention of the usefulness of student solution manuals for textbooks as an additional resource.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for practice-oriented books, but there are differing opinions on the balance between problem-solving and theoretical content. No consensus is reached on a single recommended book.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express a preference for books that focus heavily on problem-solving, while others appreciate theoretical explanations. The discussion reflects a variety of needs and preferences among participants regarding study materials.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for high school students preparing for advanced mathematics courses, university students in engineering, or anyone seeking effective practice materials for precalculus and calculus.

supernova1203
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I am finishing my 11th grade mathematics course at the moment and am getting 80s, and i want to prepare for advanced functions/calculus before i take the courses, i read the reviews on this particular book (Mathematics, from the birth of numbers) and it looked great but when i bought it, it turned out to be more an encyclopedia on every mathematical subject(from basics to the stuff you would need in engineering, differential equations etc...) but as far as doing A LOT of problems and practice it offers very little...

can you guys recommend a few good practice books on precalculus practice as well as calculus and even possibly beyond? What i am looking for is something that i can work on and study, shut the door, put my study hat on and get to crunching,

a lot of problems, their solutions somewhere in the book and even demonstrations on how to solve problems?

Personally i like to take things apart and put them back together to understand things, and prefer to study without any answers or help or hints(but just incase i get stuck completely those things are good to have to get past a hurdle)

I will take engineering in university so keep in mind the more challenging the problems and the greater the number of problems the better :) I don't really want another encyclopedia

here is the link to the book i bought: https://www.amazon.com/dp/039304002X/?tag=pfamazon01-20
something not like this @_@

Course books are nice but id like to study the subjects before i enroll in a course :)
 
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The Schaum series (both Outlines and Solved Problems) may be just what you're looking for. Here's a link to an https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071508643/?tag=pfamazon01-20. You may be able to find books from this series in a bookstore near you and look at them before buying. Amazon also shows previews of some of the books.
 
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here's 3000 solved problems also
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0070553653/?tag=pfamazon01-20

those schaum's books almost always cover more than what's covered in a regular course, so if you work though one of those books you'll do fine. & they're dirt cheap too, usually ~$25 brand-new. the only issue I have with the solved problem series is that the answers are given right after the problem statement rather than at the end of the book. (or at least section or chapter)
 
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fourier jr said:
here's 3000 solved problems also
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0070553653/?tag=pfamazon01-20

those schaum's books almost always cover more than what's covered in a regular course, so if you work though one of those books you'll do fine. & they're dirt cheap too, usually ~$25 brand-new. the only issue I have with the solved problem series is that the answers are given right after the problem statement rather than at the end of the book. (or at least section or chapter)


I use these for almost every subject, they are the best, and the questions reasonable and similar to exam questions.
 
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precalculus books as a whole are a pretty mediocre lot. I recommend as the b est possible preparation for calculus, a good book like "principles of mathematics" by allendoerfer and oakley. Its the one I had in high school. it has logic, which most books do not, as well as a little set theory and boolean algebra and regular algebra and analytic geometry. Principles of Mathematics
Allendoerfer, C.B. And C.O. Oakley
Bookseller: L Paxton
(Surrey, BC, Canada)

Bookseller Rating:
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Book Description: McGraw-Hill, 1955. Hard Cover. Book Condition: Fairly Good. No Jacket. cloth cover has some edge wear. Bookseller Inventory # 003270

Bookseller & Payment Information | More Books from this Seller | Ask Bookseller a QuestionPrice: US$ 3.18
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Destination, Rates & Speedsor you can find one in MA for $10 that charges probably $4 for shipping:

Principles of Mathematics
Allendoerfer & Oakley
Bookseller: TNL BOOKS
(Hatfield, MA, U.S.A.)

Bookseller Rating:
Quantity Available: 1
Book Description: McGraw-Hill, 1955. Cloth. Book Condition: Good. Bookseller Inventory # 034259

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but if you just want a solved problems book, this is not that. rather it explains what you should really know, it is not drill.
 
For both calculus and pre-calculus there are quite a few good practice books, as well as online help.

Calculus Problem Solver
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0878915052/?tag=pfamazon01-20
These problem solver books have so many worked problems, its ridiculous.

Pre-Calculus version
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0878915567/?tag=pfamazon01-20

A lot of times if you just get the student solution manual to the textbook you're using it's a big help.

Another book that helped me get through calculus
The Humongous Book of Calculus Problems
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1592575129/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Other than that, like others have said, the Schaum's Outline series is great as well. All the books listed are geared to solving problems but don't contain much theory, just so you know.
 
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kuahji said:
For both calculus and pre-calculus there are quite a few good practice books, as well as online help.

Calculus Problem Solver
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0878915052/?tag=pfamazon01-20
These problem solver books have so many worked problems, its ridiculous.

Pre-Calculus version
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0878915567/?tag=pfamazon01-20

A lot of times if you just get the student solution manual to the textbook you're using it's a big help.

Another book that helped me get through calculus
The Humongous Book of Calculus Problems
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1592575129/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Other than that, like others have said, the Schaum's Outline series is great as well. All the books listed are geared to solving problems but don't contain much theory, just so you know.

I have a good book on theory, https://www.amazon.com/dp/039304002X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Besides, i have a tendency to create my own theories as i go along anyway :) I call it mathematical improvisation ( kinda like music :P)
 
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