High School Student Text book question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for textbooks suitable for a high school student interested in self-study, particularly in mathematics and calculus. Participants share various titles and express opinions on the appropriateness of certain books based on the student's needs and background.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests recommendations for a good textbook without specifying difficulty or subject matter.
  • Another participant suggests a specific textbook available on Amazon, indicating it could be suitable given the lack of details provided by the original poster (OP).
  • Some participants express frustration over the OP's vague request, suggesting that more specific information would lead to better recommendations.
  • One participant recommends "How to Prove It - A Structured Approach" for understanding mathematical proofs.
  • Another participant mentions "Basic Mathematics" by Serge Lang as a good resource for reviewing topics prior to Calculus.
  • There is a question about whether "Basic Mathematics" includes an introduction to derivatives and limits, with a suggestion that "A First Course in Calculus" might be more appropriate for that purpose.
  • One participant confirms that "Basic Mathematics" will prepare the reader for a Calculus course.
  • The OP mentions another book, "Quick Calculus 2nd Edition: A Self-Teaching Guide," which they found helpful for self-study.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for more specific information from the OP to provide optimal recommendations. There are multiple competing views regarding which textbooks are most suitable, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best choice for the OP's needs.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of providing relevant information for effective advice, while others highlight the challenge of recommending textbooks without knowing the OP's specific goals or background.

Destac
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Anyone know of a good textbook that i can get off of amazon. I just want a good book to steer me in a good direction. Because i just study this a lot in my spare time and i don't have a decent source of information.

Any textbook will do but i need something. The difficulty of the book does not matter to me for even if i don't know or don't understand something i can look it up. Thank you for any help you can give me.
 
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You could have asked for the information without being a dick about it.
 
micromass, you guy :3

to OP, try How to Prove it - A Structured Approach. If you plan on studying maths it'll give you the jist of how proofs go in maths and how to understand them.
 
Daverz said:
You could have asked for the information without being a dick about it.

That's no way to speak to a Mentor of PF. Please do note that it's the OP's duty to provide the relevant info pertaining to a question, for receiving optimal advice on it. We're not superhumans to mind-read things. Besides, I don't see you contributing in any way.

To the OP: "Basic Mathematics" by Serge Lang is a brilliant book for learning/reviewing all major topics prior to Calculus.
 
Daverz said:
You could have asked for the information without being a dick about it.

I realize that. And I apologize to the OP if he was offended in any way, that was not my intention. But in any case, he learned now that it is important to give all the information if you want a good answer to your post.
 
He/she did also say that the book's difficulty did not matter for if they did not know something, they could look it up.
 
jobsism said:
To the OP: "Basic Mathematics" by Serge Lang is a brilliant book for learning/reviewing all major topics prior to Calculus.
I hijack this post with a question if it's ok! Does Langs' book include some kind of introduction to derivatives and limits?
 
Dowland said:
I hijack this post with a question if it's ok! Does Langs' book include some kind of introduction to derivatives and limits?

I think Lang's A First Course in Calculus would be better suited for this job
 
  • #10
PhizKid said:
I think Lang's A First Course in Calculus would be better suited for this job
Ok, thanks! I assume it's accesible for a person that has worked through the relevant topics in "Basic Mathematics" by the same author? I've namely ordered the latter to learn the mathematics covered in an ordinary high school curriculum.
 
  • #11
Dowland said:
Ok, thanks! I assume it's accesible for a person that has worked through the relevant topics in "Basic Mathematics" by the same author? I've namely ordered the latter to learn the mathematics covered in an ordinary high school curriculum.

Yes, Basic Mathematics will teach you everything you need to know to be prepared for a Calculus course.
 
  • #12
Destac said:
Anyone know of a good textbook that i can get off of amazon. I just want a good book to steer me in a good direction. Because i just study this a lot in my spare time and i don't have a decent source of information.

Any textbook will do but i need something. The difficulty of the book does not matter to me for even if i don't know or don't understand something i can look it up. Thank you for any help you can give me.

I actually just started this other thread about a self-teaching calculus book that I picked up that is great! It's called Quick Calculus 2nd Edition: A Self-Teaching Guide by Daniel Kleppner and Norman Ramsey. I'm in high school as well, and I HIGHLY recommend it!
 
  • #13
Destac said:
The difficulty of the book does not matter to me for even if i don't know or don't understand something i can look it up.

micromass said:
Since you didn't mention any specific information and difficulty, I guess that any textbook will do. Well this is a good one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/012185860X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

ROFL!

The OP really needs to give more information about what they are looking for. There are just too many ways to answer this question, even if we want to help.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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