Calculus book between Stewart & Spivak levels

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around identifying calculus textbooks that fall between the levels of Stewart (or Thomas) and Spivak (Courant/Apostol). Participants explore various book recommendations and their respective rigor and approach to teaching calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests Keisler's book, which utilizes hyperreal numbers to minimize the use of limits, as a potential candidate.
  • Another participant mentions Buck's book, referenced by the Math Sorcerer on YouTube, as leaning more towards the Advanced Calculus side.
  • A participant lists several books they believe could fit the criteria, including Edwards and Penney (1st edition), Lipman Bers Calculus, Courant, Lang, and Cruse and Granberg, noting that the definition of "between" is subjective and varies with different editions.
  • One participant comments that Apostol's book is rigorous yet approachable for learning calculus, contrasting it with Spivak's approach.
  • Another participant mentions Edwin E. Moise's Calculus as being closer to Courant, suggesting it might fit the desired level.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific book or definition of "between," and multiple competing views on suitable textbooks remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the variability in editions of the mentioned textbooks, which may affect their content and rigor. The discussion also reflects differing opinions on the approachability of various texts.

AfterSunShine
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Hi,
Are there calculus books that lie between Stewart (or Thomas) level and Spivak (Courant/Apostol) level?
Thanks.
 
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One has to guess at your definition of "between", but some candidates I would mention include Edwards and Penney 1st edition (1982), Lipman Bers Calculus, and in fact Courant, and maybe Lang, also Cruse and Granberg. early editions in all cases. (when you say "Thomas" or "Stewart", you know you are including many very different editions, hence very different books). Basic advice: go to a university library, sit in stacks and browse calculus books.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=edwards and penney&bi=0&bx=off&cm_sp=SearchF-_-Advs-_-Result&ds=30&recentlyadded=all&rollup=on&sortby=17&sts=t&tn=calculus&xdesc=off&xpod=off

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-home-_-Results&an=cruse, granberg

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=lipman bers calculus&sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=serge lang calculus&sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=richard courant calculus&sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results
 
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While rigorous, Apostol can actually be used to learn calculus by itself, unlike Spivak, which makes it much more approachable.
 
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AfterSunShine said:
Hi,
Are there calculus books that lie between Stewart (or Thomas) level and Spivak (Courant/Apostol) level?
Thanks.
Edwin E. Moise: Calculus. It is closer to Courant imo.
 
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