Best books for Pre-calc and calculus

  • Thread starter Thread starter AdrianHudson
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Books Calculus
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for textbooks suitable for precalculus and calculus, particularly for high school students preparing for university-level calculus courses. Participants share their experiences and preferences regarding various books, emphasizing the desire for rigorous and comprehensive materials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks rigorous textbooks for precalculus and calculus, expressing a preference for materials that are not overly simplified.
  • Several participants recommend specific books, including a precalculus book and a calculus book, noting their affordability and thoroughness in proofs.
  • Another participant suggests a freely available calculus textbook by Strang from MIT and a book by Hubbard for advanced topics, highlighting their quality and suitability for further study.
  • A participant expresses a preference for physical textbooks over online versions, indicating a desire for tangible resources.
  • There is a discussion about the appropriate sequence for reading the Hubbard book after completing a textbook by Anton, with one participant affirming that it is suitable for those who have mastered calculus at a certain level.
  • One participant reflects on their own educational experience with analysis and its perceived importance in the curriculum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of specific textbooks but express differing preferences regarding the format (physical vs. online) and the sequence of study. There is no consensus on a single best resource, as multiple recommendations are provided.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the limitations of certain textbooks, such as a lack of coverage for advanced topics like calculus three, and the varying educational systems that influence textbook recommendations.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students preparing for calculus, educators seeking textbook recommendations, and individuals interested in self-study for precalculus and calculus topics.

AdrianHudson
Messages
48
Reaction score
2
Hello all! I am looking to dive into the world of calculus before my peers in high school, I am looking for some really good books for the knowledge leading up to calculus and then the whole spiel for calculus. I am guessing I am going to need a series of books for this learning en devour and I am ready for it, if I could just have a couple hints or nudges in the right direction it would be much appreciated :) :-p :smile:

P.S: I am looking for some pretty rigorous textbooks, it would be a lot more helpful if it isn't sugar coated, it will set me up for success in calculus that much more.

P.S.S: Books that lead up to university Calc-1 and Calc-2 would be lovely as well :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Last edited by a moderator:
Student100 said:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471756849/?tag=pfamazon01-20
for precalculus.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471153060/?tag=pfamazon01-20

for calculus is the only book I've gone through in great detail. It's a good every mans book and cheap. The proofs are all there and no steps are skipped. It's kinda lacking for calc three, but there's enough there to keep you busy for a long time.

Thankyou for the quick reply my man! This is going to be quite the exciting journey, I get bored way to fast with the current stuff we are doing bleh. This math and beyond is way more intriguing and tickles my fancy.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Good luck, I'd just like to add-don't skimp on the present by looking to the future.
 
bhobba said:
For Calculus check out the freely available book by Strang from MIT
http://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-18-001-calculus-online-textbook-spring-2005/textbook/

For beyond that into multivariable calculus and linear algebra check out Hubbard's book - its simply superb:
http://matrixeditions.com/UnifiedApproach4th.html

Thanks
Bill

Thankya for the links! The only problem I have with online textbooks is I don't have a hard copy, to me its a lot easier having a real physical textbook in hand.

As for that textbook by Hubbard would I read that after I read the textbook from Anton ?
 
AdrianHudson said:
As for that textbook by Hubbard would I read that after I read the textbook from Anton ?

Yes.

Its specifically designed for once you have grasped calculus at the level of Calculus BC in the US system, IB Math HL in an IB program, or if you are in Australia like I am, you did both math B and C (which is roughly equivalent to US Calc BC).

Its so good it will take you to math well into upper division university subjects, and even graduate level with things like Lebesque integration and differential forms. I learned Lebesque integration final year uni and differential forms by self study, but if you study Hubbards book you will have a truly wonderful foundation in calculus and analysis (analysis is calculus done carefully - sometimes called doing your epsilonics). Just as an aside when I did my degree you had to do analysis first year, but so many people hated it they removed it and it became a graduate level elective - which I always thought was a great pity.

Thanks
Bill
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
12K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
11K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K