Looking for textbook/online resourse

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around recommendations for textbooks or online resources for learning calculus, specifically seeking materials that provide comprehensive explanations and problem sets on topics such as derivatives and integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recommends Keisler's calculus textbook, highlighting its free availability and comprehensive coverage, including multivariable calculus and differential equations.
  • This participant notes that Keisler's approach is unconventional, using infinitesimals and historical methods, which may differ from standard calculus texts. They express that this perspective can be beneficial but might also be confusing for some learners.
  • Another participant agrees with the value of exploring different approaches to calculus, reinforcing the idea that seeing multiple viewpoints can enhance understanding.
  • One participant mentions that previous textbooks they encountered primarily used the notion of limits, which they found unhelpful, contrasting this with Keisler's treatment of limits.
  • A later reply assures that Keisler's textbook does cover limits, including the classical definition, suggesting that learners will not miss out on this important concept.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of Keisler's textbook, but there are differing opinions regarding the unconventional approach and its potential for confusion. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the effectiveness of different teaching methods in calculus.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the clarity of nontraditional approaches to calculus, particularly concerning the use of infinitesimals versus limits.

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Homework Statement


Hello!

I would be grateful for recommendations on a truly brilliant, fully explanatory textbook or online resource to learn calculus (with problems sets, etc), including explanations and problems on derivatives, integrals, etc.

Thank you very much!

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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In my opinion, the most brilliant textbook in calculus is Keisler: https://www.math.wisc.edu/~keisler/calc.html
First of all, it is completely free! It contains about everything one should know about calculus including multivariable calculus, vector calculus and a bit of differential equations.

But a word of warning. This book is truly nonconventional. It deals with calculus the historic way, that is the way that calculus was first done, namely with infinitesimals. In my opinion, this is a superior technique, and it is very useful in physics and math too. But it is not the way that most calculus books deal with things. Now Keisler does treat the standard formalism too, but just be aware that you will see things done quite differently than in other books. In my opinion, seeing things from multiple points of view is beneficial, but some might consider it to be confusing.
 
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micromass said:
In my opinion, the most brilliant textbook in calculus is Keisler: https://www.math.wisc.edu/~keisler/calc.html
First of all, it is completely free! It contains about everything one should know about calculus including multivariable calculus, vector calculus and a bit of differential equations.

But a word of warning. This book is truly nonconventional. It deals with calculus the historic way, that is the way that calculus was first done, namely with infinitesimals. In my opinion, this is a superior technique, and it is very useful in physics and math too. But it is not the way that most calculus books deal with things. Now Keisler does treat the standard formalism too, but just be aware that you will see things done quite differently than in other books. In my opinion, seeing things from multiple points of view is beneficial, but some might consider it to be confusing.
Thank you very much! I absolutely agree that seeing and learning different approaches is very helpful.
 
micromass said:
In my opinion, the most brilliant textbook in calculus is Keisler: https://www.math.wisc.edu/~keisler/calc.html
First of all, it is completely free! It contains about everything one should know about calculus including multivariable calculus, vector calculus and a bit of differential equations.

But a word of warning. This book is truly nonconventional. It deals with calculus the historic way, that is the way that calculus was first done, namely with infinitesimals. In my opinion, this is a superior technique, and it is very useful in physics and math too. But it is not the way that most calculus books deal with things. Now Keisler does treat the standard formalism too, but just be aware that you will see things done quite differently than in other books. In my opinion, seeing things from multiple points of view is beneficial, but some might consider it to be confusing.

Indeed, all books I have encountered previously (not yet helpful, although I have almost read through one of them, to no avail) use the notion of limit; same is used in statistics.
 
Limits are a very important concept. But Keisler certainly covers it and he covers the classical definition of a limit too. So you won't miss out!
 

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