Recommend a Rigorous Calculus Book

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around recommendations for a rigorous calculus textbook that can also support philosophical and literary analysis. Participants explore the balance between rigor in mathematical definitions and the depth of problem-solving required for thorough understanding.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a calculus text that combines rigor with challenging problems to facilitate deeper examination.
  • Another participant suggests a Bourbaki treatment of calculus or "Folland - Real Analysis," questioning the initial request's clarity.
  • A different participant argues that calculus and rigor do not belong together, recommending "Baby Rudin" for its ingenuity and thoroughness, while expressing skepticism about the value of other calculus texts.
  • This participant also questions the purpose of the requested text, asking about the original poster's mathematical background and whether they have studied real analysis or measure theory.
  • One participant expresses confusion over the phrase "calculus approaching a philosophy and literature text," seeking clarification on its intended meaning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the suitability of various texts, with no consensus on a single recommended book. The discussion includes multiple competing views on the relationship between calculus and rigor.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the original poster's mathematical background and the specific goals for the calculus text. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of rigor and its application in calculus versus real analysis.

Sorgen
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I have an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from a Big 10 university. Right now I am looking for a Calculus text that would aid me in approaching philosophy and literature text.

Mostly what I'm looking for is a combination of Rigor (strictness in definitions and such) and problems that force you to examine them thoroughly from every angle.

Thanks!
 
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Sorgen said:
I have an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from a Big 10 university. Right now I am looking for a Calculus text that would aid me in approaching philosophy and literature text.

Mostly what I'm looking for is a combination of Rigor (strictness in definitions and such) and problems that force you to examine them thoroughly from every angle.

Thanks!
Calculus and rigor do not belong together. Baby Rudin should suffice for all your calculus needs. It has problems that require a deal of ingenuity that even Rudin admits in the preface. I think that qualifies for your examining thoroughly from every angle. I will tell you this, if you understand everything from baby Rudin, and do all the exercises you will probably not need a calculus text. I do not think there is anything of merit in a calculus book that is not in baby rudin. In my opinion, Rudin is the perfect literature, but perhaps not the easiest learning tool. If you want an actual real analysis text though, baby rudin is too easy and won't give you what you want. This text is a classic in the mathematical literature, and will make you appreciate conciseness. I personally prefer it over verty's suggestion of Bourbaki. I'm not sure what Bourbaki text you are recommending, since Bourbaki failed to even reach it's goal of proving Stoke's Theorem. I think the suggestion of Real Analysis by Folland is too abstracted away from calculus to be suggested. This all depends on what you want the text for. Do you want an actual real analysis book? Or do you want a book that holds your hand? Any calculus text is just a dumbed down version of parts of analysis. So, I would not recommend any calculus text if you actually want rigor. Here's what we need to know: what is your mathematical background? I know you said you have a mathematical degree in math, so you must have learned some analysis (I assume). Have you had any courses in real analysis? Have you learned measure theory? etc...
 
What does "calculus approaching a philosophy and literature text" mean exactly? I hoped it meant "laying out the facts in a very coherent and justified way". But it is very confusing.
 

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