Is James Stewart's Calculus Text Worth the Investment?

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The discussion centers on the effectiveness of James Stewart's 5th edition calculus textbook. Users report positive experiences, noting that the book is straightforward and understandable, making it suitable for both engineering students and those studying mathematics. It is recognized for its helpful explanations, numerous examples, and effective use of diagrams to illustrate concepts. While the book emphasizes conceptual understanding over rigorous proofs, this approach is seen as beneficial, particularly for math majors who typically encounter rigor in separate courses. Some users mention that while the book is excellent for foundational calculus, additional resources or instruction may be necessary for deeper topics, such as specific integration techniques. The availability of a solution manual is highlighted as a valuable asset for understanding complex problems. Overall, the text is recommended for its clarity and practical application in both science and engineering contexts.
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has anybody used James Stewart 5th edition calculus text? is it any good
 
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I liked it, but I'm not a math major. Let's just say, I learned enough about calculus from it to well in my engineering classes so far.
 
I know this book is used to teach undergrad. calc I at Columbia, and UC Berkeley for a few teachers, and I recently acquired it and will admit, it's a darn good book. Very straightforward and understandable.
 
I was a math major in college, and I would say that James Stewart is an excellent calculus book. The explanations are quite helpful, there are sufficiently many examples, and most importantly (to a physicist, anyway), there are plenty of pictures and other diagrams to illustrate calculus concepts.

Is Stewart good for someone majoring in math? Well, it focuses on concept rather than rigor, but I think this is a good thing, since math majors typically have a separate course to teach them how to do rigorous proofs. At such a basic level as calculus, rigor tends to obscure other important ideas, so I think this book is good for math majors and anyone else.
 
I used this book to teach myself Calc I and a little bit of Calc II.
But I'm currently in Calc II and I will admit I'm learning a lot of useful things that aren't taught in this book.

Like my teacher has spent a few days discussing some of the most common types of Integrals that are solved by Integration by Parts, which u/v to choose, etc..

But this book is verry good, if you can also get the solution manual, I found it really helpful in understanding a lot of problems that weren't covered in the text.
 
i liked stewarts 2nd edition best. after that he began to remove theory and generally water it down.
 
I liked it a lot when I used it for the my calculus sequence. I think its great for scientists and engineers, and not bad for math majors, since, as a previous poster pointed out, math majors usually (at least the ones at my university) have a separate course for proofs and rigor.
 
Calculus (ISBN: 053413212X)
Stewart, James
Bookseller: Mary Jane Books
(Albany, NY, U.S.A.) Price: US$ 5.00
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Book Description: Brooks/Cole Pub Co, Florence, Kentucky, U.S.A., 1991. Hard Cover. Book Condition: Great. 2nd Edition. Great condition, no writing or highlighting. Bookseller Inventory # B005846Calculus: Second Edition
Stewart, James
Bookseller: Book Baron Anaheim
(Anaheim, CA, U.S.A.) Price: US$ 17.50
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Book Description: Brooks/Cole Publishing (1991), Pacific Grove, 1991. Book Condition: Good. 2nd Edition. Hardcover No DJ- glossy pictorial boards. Rubbing & chipping to board edges & corner tips. Minor reader's crease. Bookseller Inventory # 380509Calculus: Early Transcendentials
James Stewart
Bookseller: Lost Books
(Little Elm, TX, U.S.A.) Price: US$ 21.61
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Book Description: Brooks/Cole Pub Co., 1991. Mass Market Paperback. Book Condition: good. 2nd (July 1991) edition. 0534138306. Bookseller Inventory # 053249it should have a violin or cello on the front cover.
 
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