Is Richard Courant's Intro to Calculus Enough for the USAPhO Physics Exam?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the suitability of Richard Courant's "Introduction to Calculus and Analysis Volume 1 & 2" for preparing for the USAPhO Physics Exam, which covers mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, relativity, waves, and modern physics. Participants confirm that while the exam requires knowledge up to Calculus 1, Courant's textbooks provide adequate coverage of essential calculus concepts. Additionally, a recommendation for "Calculus and Analytic Geometry" by Fisher and Ziebur is made, noted for its readability and comprehensive exercises.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic calculus concepts, including derivatives and integrals.
  • Familiarity with the geometric interpretation of calculus.
  • Knowledge of elementary functions and their properties.
  • Basic physics concepts related to mechanics and electromagnetism.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore Richard Courant's "Introduction to Calculus and Analysis" for foundational calculus concepts.
  • Investigate "Calculus and Analytic Geometry" by Fisher and Ziebur for additional practice and theoretical exercises.
  • Review sample problems from the USAPhO exam available at AAPT's website.
  • Study the syllabus for the International Physics Olympiad (IPHO) to align calculus knowledge with physics applications.
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for the USAPhO Physics Exam, educators seeking effective calculus textbooks, and anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of calculus in the context of physics applications.

user10921
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Hello, I am preparing for a physics exam which takes place next year. The scope of this test is mechanics, e&m, thermodynamics, relativity, waves, and modern physics. The exam doesn't require anything farther than Calculus 1, but it is still a rigorous exam. So I am looking for a calc 1 textbook that has some applications to physics in it. I am looking for a decent understanding, nothing too hard. I have heard Richard Courant's Intro to Calc and Analysis Volume 1&2 has what I described in it. Will this cover calc 1 enough for the physics exam? On this website, there are some sample problems for you to go look.
https://www.aapt.org/physicsteam/2019/exams.cfm
Just go click USAPhO exam.
 
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If you have any other book suggestions then the ones I asked, it will be much obliged.
Thanks in advance :biggrin::smile:
 
Just going to bump this - if my question's not clear I'm just looking for a calc 1 textbook that has nice explanations. Wondering if Courant's Volume 1 hits the mark. Thanks again.
 
I like Courant's analysis textbooks, but I don't know, whether it's what you need to prepare for this contest!
 
Sorry for the lack of my incompetent question. Let me rephrase this to:
What calc textbook will meet most of these requirements?
4.7 Calculus
Finding derivatives of elementary functions, their sums, products, quotients, and nested functions. Integration as the inverse procedure to differentiation. Finding definite and indefinite integrals in simple cases: elementary functions, sums of functions, and using the substitution rule for a linearly dependent argument. Making definite integrals dimensionless by substitution. Geometric interpretation of derivatives and integrals. Finding constants of integration using initial conditions. Concept of gradient vectors (partial derivative formalism is not needed).
Source: https://ipho2018.pt/content/syllabus

Thanks again
 
user10921 said:
Sorry for the lack of my incompetent question. Let me rephrase this to:
What calc textbook will meet most of these requirements?
4.7 Calculus
Finding derivatives of elementary functions, their sums, products, quotients, and nested functions. Integration as the inverse procedure to differentiation. Finding definite and indefinite integrals in simple cases: elementary functions, sums of functions, and using the substitution rule for a linearly dependent argument. Making definite integrals dimensionless by substitution. Geometric interpretation of derivatives and integrals. Finding constants of integration using initial conditions. Concept of gradient vectors (partial derivative formalism is not needed).
Source: https://ipho2018.pt/content/syllabus

Thanks again
Well I can recommend an ancient one that is very readable, has loads of good exercises, both theoretical and computational, and covers all that and more, yet is not too big. However, I have no idea if it can still be found.

Calculus and Analytic Geometry, by Fisher and Ziebur (second edition)
 
Last edited:
This actually looks like a solid book. I am surprised I haven't heard of this book before. Also I found this book on archive.org if anyone else is wondering. Thank you
 

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