Choosing to self study higher maths

[Ethan Singer]

I've recently completed Calc 1 and 2 on my own, with little guidance outside (which I feel hurt my final exam scores), but I attribute this primarily to the lack of a good textbook. I decided to hold off on Linear Algebra and Multivariable until I've graduated, and now that I have I'm looking to advice on which book I should get for each.

For Linear Algebra, I've decided to purchase, "Introduction to Linear Algebra, Fifth Edition by Gilbert Strang", which seems like a fantastic guide to the subject.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0980232775/?tag=pfamazon01-20

But I'm uncertain about which one I should get for multivariable... I'm considering purchasing "Multivariable Calculus, Tenth Edition by Ron Larson and Bruce H. Edwards"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1285060296/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Are these wise choices? I want to ensure that I get my money's worth when purchasing these textbooks. When I self studied calculus, the sources I used had many issues... while they explained certain topics very well, they didn't use the metric system, which made conversions very difficult. Compounding this, they didn't teach everything that was on the finals. For instance it taught Taylor and Maclauren series, but never mentioned finding the area between two polar curves.

So I'm hoping that these books will be far more meticulous, and if not what do you recommend?

 

[FactChecker]

What textbook are the class tests based on and what parts will the class cover? That should be your first consideration. Beyond that, I have always liked the Schaum's Outline series for self study. They are relatively cheap and have a great number of worked examples and exercises with answers.

 

[GAUHAR CHAUHAN]

thnxx for tht suggestion...!

 

[ibkev]

A commonly recommended and free online source is here: http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu

It looks at first like purely just (an excellent) website about math but if you go to the downloads section, you can download several large books that contain all the material on the site along with practice problems and answers.

 

[Buffu]

I've recently completed Calc 1 and 2 on my own, with little guidance outside (which I feel hurt my final exam scores), but I attribute this primarily to the lack of a good textbook. I decided to hold off on Linear Algebra and Multivariable until I've graduated, and now that I have I'm looking to advice on which book I should get for each.

For Linear Algebra, I've decided to purchase, "Introduction to Linear Algebra, Fifth Edition by Gilbert Strang", which seems like a fantastic guide to the subject.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0980232775/?tag=pfamazon01-20

But I'm uncertain about which one I should get for multivariable... I'm considering purchasing "Multivariable Calculus, Tenth Edition by Ron Larson and Bruce H. Edwards"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1285060296/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Are these wise choices? I want to ensure that I get my money's worth when purchasing these textbooks. When I self studied calculus, the sources I used had many issues... while they explained certain topics very well, they didn't use the metric system, which made conversions very difficult. Compounding this, they didn't teach everything that was on the finals. For instance it taught Taylor and Maclauren series, but never mentioned finding the area between two polar curves.

So I'm hoping that these books will be far more meticulous, and if not what do you recommend?

It is not a good book in opinion. The exercises are as dull as it can be and there are lots of it. I got very bored in the second chapter itself.

These were my personal opinion, the book might suit you as it is a very popular book.