Calculus textbooks with good sections on integration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for calculus textbooks that provide a comprehensive treatment of integration techniques, particularly focusing on substitution methods and various types of integrals, including those involving logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Participants share their experiences and suggest resources for self-study.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks recommendations for calculus textbooks that cover integration techniques, especially substitution, and includes exercises for self-study.
  • Another participant suggests "Inside Interesting Integrals" by Nahin as a good resource, noting positive feedback from a former teacher.
  • A different participant recommends OpenStax as a free and elementary resource for calculus.
  • Some participants discuss the relationship between integration techniques and differentiation rules, emphasizing the importance of understanding these connections for mastering calculus.
  • Concerns are raised about the difficulty of integrating trigonometric functions due to the need for various identities and formulas.
  • One participant mentions their background in calculus, specifically self-studying with the Spivak book, and expresses challenges with integration by substitution.
  • Another participant advises that understanding the derivative of the substitution function is crucial for applying u-substitution correctly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the best resources for learning integration, with no consensus on a single recommended textbook. There are also differing views on the necessity of understanding certain calculus concepts for effective integration.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the importance of foundational knowledge in calculus, suggesting that gaps in understanding can complicate the learning process. There are references to specific techniques and rules that may require further exploration for clarity.

Santiago24
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Hi I'm having troubles with integration specially by substitution, I'm going to read a calculus textbook and i need recommendations of books with a good treatment on the different techniques of integration. I'd like a book with good exercises for self study and a exposure to integration of different functions like integrals involving logarithmic and trigonometric functions or integrals involving logarithmic and power functions.
 
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For one specifically on integration I guess you could try 'inside interesting integrals' by Nahin? My old maths teacher used to rave about that one a lot, although I didn't read the whole thing yet.
 
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You might have already realized this for yourself but in case you haven’t I’ll say it:

1) U-substitution is related to the chain rule of differentiation

2) UV-substitution (or integration by parts) is related to the product rule of differentiation

For UV-substitution there is a general rule of thumb for which function you want to make equal to ##u## in that order.

Log, Inverse Trig, Algebraic, Trig, Exponential.

1) and 2) might be regarded as trivial by some but if you don’t know them calculus becomes WAY more difficult.
 
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General Kenobi said:
For one specifically on integration I guess you could try 'inside interesting integrals' by Nahin? My old maths teacher used to rave about that one a lot, although I didn't read the whole thing yet.
I was looking on the internet and a lot of people recommend it and other book named "Irresistible Integrals" by George Boros, so i'll check it thanks.
 
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PhDeezNutz said:
You might have already realized this for yourself but in case you haven’t I’ll say it:

1) U-substitution is related to the chain rule of differentiation

2) UV-substitution (or integration by parts) is related to the product rule of differentiation

For UV-substitution there is a general rule of thumb for which function you want to make equal to ##u## in that order.

Log, Inverse Trig, Algebraic, Trig, Exponential.

1) and 2) might be regarded as trivial by some but if you don’t know them calculus becomes WAY more difficult.
Hi thanks for the information, my problem with the integration of trigonometric functions is that they use a lot of identities or formulas that i don't know where they come.
 
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What is your calculus background? You seem to be gravitating towards “how to solve hard integrals” but your statements seem more “how to address these weaknesses”
 
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caz said:
What is your calculus background? You seem to be gravitating towards “how to solve hard integrals” but your statements seem more “how to address these weaknesses”
Hi I'm self studying calculus with the Spivak book. Yes, i have problems with integration by substitution because when i have to replace for u i don't know how to make appear du.
 
  • #10
If u=f(x), du=f’(x)dx

You need to go through a calculus book for non-mathematicians. Given that you are getting theory from Spivak, there are probably sections you can glance through, but you should work every integration problem (most can be done in a couple of minutes). My openstax suggestion still stands or the first @micromass reference. If you live in a university town, you could get a cheap used copy of whatever they are using.
 
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  • #11
BTW, you do not need solutions for indefinite integrals. You can always take the derivative to check your work.
 
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