Preparing for Vector Calculus: What Topics Should You Focus On?

[fishturtle1]

Hi,

In next semester, I am going to take vector calculus. Here is the course description: Vector fields, line and surface integrals, Green's Theorem, Stokes' Theorem, Divergence Theorem and advanced topics such as differential forms or applications to mechanics, fluid mechanics, or electromagnetism.

I've got a month before school starts and I want to go through "Calculus Deconstructed: A Second Course in First-Year Calculus" by Zbigniew Nitecki, but i also want to prepare for the vector calc class. I think in calc 2 and calc 3 I was kind of lost, and passed because of the curves..

This book has 6 chapters: Precalc, Sequences and their limits, continuity, differentiation, integrals, and power series. I think I can make it up to differentiation before school starts.Can I study this book and count that as my preparation for vector calc? Am i better off just reviewing multivariable calculus?

 

[NFuller]

Can I study this book and count that as my preparation for vector calc? Am i better off just reviewing multivariable calculus?

You should probably review multivariable calculus, as things like limits and sequences will likely not be the focus of a vector calculus class. Topics like partial derivatives, volume intregrals, and surface integrals will be much more important.

 

[fishturtle1]

You should probably review multivariable calculus, as things like limits and sequences will likely not be the focus of a vector calculus class. Topics like partial derivatives, volume intregrals, and surface integrals will be much more important.

ahh ok, ill do that then, thanks for the reply

 

[vela]

Just out of curiosity, what did you cover in Calc 3? Usually vector calculus is covered in that semester (in the US).

 

[fishturtle1]

Just out of curiosity, what did you cover in Calc 3? Usually vector calculus is covered in that semester (in the US).

We used Stewart Early transcendentals and I think we made it up to line integrals, in the US too

 

[cpsinkule]

Undergrad Vector Calc is almost exclusively integral and derivatives and combining them in those theorems. You should make sure you are comfortable with partial derivatives, iterated integrals, and vector operations like dot product and cross product. The book you mention probably won't be much help because it sounds like an analysis book. Just review Stewart instead.