Calculus Can I skip the introduction in Apostol's calculus?

Click For Summary
The discussion centers on whether to skip the four-part introduction of Apostol's calculus book. The introduction primarily covers summation notation and Riemann sums, which some find tedious. However, it is emphasized that the introduction contains important foundational content, including set theory, which is essential for understanding later chapters. The ability to sketch graphs is also highlighted as a valuable skill for visualizing integration concepts. Skipping the introduction is generally discouraged, especially for those who may struggle with graphing functions.
Antineutrino
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I'll be starting Apostol's calculus book in a little less than two weeks, as I'm finishing up an easier textbook. I looked ahead and I see that there is a four part introduction, and I was wondering if I could just skip that. I briefly skimmed it, and it just looks like a review of summation notation, and drawing riemann sums by hand (sounds tedious).

If there is important content in the intro then I won't skip it, but if there isn't then I'd not like to subject myself to the torture that is drawing graphs by hand.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you're easily able to sketch graphs of functions on paper, then maybe you can skip the intro sections. If not, then my advice would be to not skip them. Being able to sketch graphs is an important and useful skill that is helpful in visualizing integration concepts.
 
The Introduction is mainly about set theory, which is used in later chapters, so - no.
 
Im currently reading mathematics for physicists by Philippe Dennery and André Krzywicki, and I’m understanding most concepts however I think it would be better for me to get a book on complex analysis or calculus to better understand it so I’m not left looking at an equation for an hour trying to figure out what it means. So here comes the split, do I get a complex analysis book? Or a calculus book? I might be able to Borrow a calculus textbook from my math teacher study that for a bit and...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
7K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
27K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • Poll Poll
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
12K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • Sticky
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
11K