Calculus Book Advice: Spivak, Lang for 1-3

[Muon]

Hello PF community, I have an important question(to me.. and hopefully other users aswell) about two particular books I have ordered. I have ordered Calculus by Michael Spivak as well as A First Course In Calculus by Serge Lang and I am very curious to know if those two books will give me a complete and thorough understanding of calculus 1, 2 and 3 , Thanks

 

[HakimPhilo]

Just look at what a student is supposed to learn in Calc1, 2 & 3 and see the table of contents of each book you purchased.

 

[NathanaelNolk]

As far as I know, Spivak's book has got a lot of hard exercices to see if you really have a deep understanding of the material. I think you should also try Apostol's books on Calculus, which are great books (I have them).

 

[Muon]

I also have Stewarts calculus 3rd edition and I've taught myself up to applications of integration in 1 week but that just emphasizes the fact that Stewart is just maybe a bit too easy for me.. but the book has basically all of calculus based on what people say, so why do so much people hate Stewart's calculus ?

 

[Muon]

As far as I know, Spivak's book has got a lot of hard exercices to see if you really have a deep understanding of the material. I think you should also try Apostol's books on Calculus, which are great books (I have them).

Sorry, I forgot to quote you in my previous reply( I'm new here)

 

[HakimPhilo]

[...] Why do so much people hate Stewart's calculus ?

Since everything in it is really standardized to fit some testing model.

 

[Muon]

Since everything in it is really standardized to fit some testing model.

Is that it? so do you mean that it is aimed towards all of the students that are not interested in becoming mathematicians?

 

[HakimPhilo]

Is that it? so do you mean that it is aimed towards all of the students that are not interested in becoming mathematicians?

That's not what I meant.

 

[NathanaelNolk]

I also have Stewarts calculus 3rd edition and I've taught myself up to applications of integration in 1 week

How can one go so far in a book in one week? Have you done the exercises? Because, it seems quite unusual. It must be some kind of introductory book then, isn't it ?

 

[Muon]

How can one go so far in a book in one week? Have you done the exercises? Because, it seems quite unusual. It must be some kind of introductory book then, isn't it ?

Well I have to admit I have not done every problem because there is about 100 problems for every section but I do understand the concepts very well, that is all

 

[Muon]

How can one go so far in a book in one week? Have you done the exercises? Because, it seems quite unusual. It must be some kind of introductory book then, isn't it ?

And maybe.. I mean it certainly is no Spivak based on what I've heard

 

[NathanaelNolk]

So, do you feel at ease with most of the subjects you have covered in this book ? Are you able to do 85% of the exercices and get the right answer ? I mean, even if you don't do it, when you see the exercice, can you think about how you're going to do it ?
If the answers are no, then you should consider re-reading it, or trying a new book I guess. You should start with Lang's introduction to calculus, and then move on to Apostol's or Spivak's Calculus book. Maybe, if you'd rather attend lectures on the subject, you should try this : http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-01sc-single-variable-calculus-fall-2010/ and then move on to the Multivariable one.By the way, that post belongs to Academic Guidance, not Calculus.

 

[Muon]

So, do you feel at ease with most of the subjects you have covered in this book ? Are you able to do 85% of the exercices and get the right answer ? I mean, even if you don't do it, when you see the exercice, can you think about how you're going to do it ?
If the answers are no, then you should consider re-reading it, or trying a new book I guess. You should start with Lang's introduction to calculus, and then move on to Apostol's or Spivak's Calculus book. Maybe, if you'd rather attend lectures on the subject, you should try this : http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-01sc-single-variable-calculus-fall-2010/ and then move on to the Multivariable one.


By the way, that post belongs to Academic Guidance, not Calculus.

Thanks Nathan, and yes I can come up with the answer about 60% of the time so I will try rereading all of it and do the exercises

 

[NathanaelNolk]

You're welcome. By the way, if you don't feel comfortable with this book, try another one. As I said, Lang's First course in Calculus is quite good. Try Apostol's or Spivak's book when you feel you've got a good grasp of the subject.