Self-Teaching Calc 1: Best Books for Trig & Algebra Refreshers | Geology Major

[Branflake]

Hello everyone,
I am currently using khan academy to teach my self trig and refreshing my memory on some algebra things I have forgot since I haven't taken a math course in 3 years. (algebra 2 was the last course). I have almost finished all the practice on khan with trig and am now ready for calc.
I am still going to use khan for calc but I would really like to have a textbook to give more guidance and maybe some practice test. Does anyone know of any great self teach calc 1 books?
After some looking around iv noticed a lot of people recommend Spivak's book, but I want to make sure that this will be the best before I purchase it.
I am teaching myself calc before I actually take the course in the fall and I also need it for my Physics class. I am a geology major at a jc and will be transferring in two more semesters.
Thanks guys

 

[micromass]

If I understand well, you have never done calc before?? In that case, I'm afraid that Spivak will likely be too difficult for you. So I wouldn't recommend it.
It's important to first get an intuitive idea of calculus before you see it entirely rigorous.

I would recommend the excellent "A first course in calculus" by Serge Lang for your situation. It's rigorous, but not too difficult.

 

[Branflake]

If I understand well, you have never done calc before?? In that case, I'm afraid that Spivak will likely be too difficult for you. So I wouldn't recommend it.
It's important to first get an intuitive idea of calculus before you see it entirely rigorous.

I would recommend the excellent "A first course in calculus" by Serge Lang for your situation. It's rigorous, but not too difficult.

Yeah I have never taken a calc (or pre calc) class before.
The spivak book did look a little rough haha.
But basically I just want to go into my calc course in the fall and be able to under stand it and hopefully know some of the things before hand so I can do well. Honestly I just want to learn it to. I am very motivated right now.

 

[Luccas]

Good afternoon,First of all: congratulations for the initiative of teach yourself Calculus! I am doing the same thing with Calculus II and have done with Calculus I too. It's very challenging! :-)

"Calculus", by Michael Spivak, is a great book - my personal favorite, in fact. It is a middle ground(*) between Calculus and Analysis. But there is also other few really great books. Here is an article that presents 4 - one of them is Spivak's book: http: //math-blog. com/ 2007/05/13/ the-most-enlightening-calculus-books/.

[]'s!

(*) - I am Brazilian and I don't know exactly if this in the English term I looking for. The Portuguese equivalent is "meio termo".

 

[beginnersbind]

I realize you asked for a book but you might want to check out the 18.01SC Single Variable Calculus course on MIT Opencourseware. It's organized for self-study and has all the resources you'll need for a solid introduction to calculus.

I personally find web and video based courses easier to follow, although I guess you will get more out of a book if you actually go through most of the exercises.

 

[Branflake]

I realize you asked for a book but you might want to check out the 18.01SC Single Variable Calculus course on MIT Opencourseware. It's organized for self-study and has all the resources you'll need for a solid introduction to calculus.

I personally find web and video based courses easier to follow, although I guess you will get more out of a book if you actually go through most of the exercises.

Wow! I am looking at the course now and it looks awesome. I may not need a textbook now thank you so much.

 

[Diffy]

If I understand well, you have never done calc before?? In that case, I'm afraid that Spivak will likely be too difficult for you. So I wouldn't recommend it.
It's important to first get an intuitive idea of calculus before you see it entirely rigorous.

I would recommend the excellent "A first course in calculus" by Serge Lang for your situation. It's rigorous, but not too difficult.

The lang book is a great book. I love his linear algebra book as well.

However I have to disagree that this will be the right book for the OP. I disagree because the Lang book is great for an undergraduate. I think what the OP is looking for is something along the lines of a High School Calculus book. Something that has lots of examples, pictures, practice problems and chapter review materials.

Something like Calculus of a Single Variable by Larson.

 

[Branflake]

Ok after doing some research and attempting the MIT open courseware class I feel that I need to go through a pre calc course (or textbook) in order to truly understand the class I am taking in the fall.
I understood some of the things in the first two sections, but I feel that I really need to teach myself more pre calc in order to truly understand what I am doing.
Basically what I am trying to do is set myself up for a easier understanding of my Calc 1 class which starts in the fall. I would really like an A in that class and I need to understand it very well for my major.
Algebra 2 was my last course in math (came before pre calc in my HS) so I need to work from there I think.
I am going to continue refreshing my math skills in khan until I can find a textbook (or online class) that can help me.
What do you guys think I should do. I'm starting to get worried that I won't be ready for the class in the fall.

 

[20Tauri]

I never took precalc, and I was fine with calculus, so I wouldn't worry too much. Algebra II was my last high school math class, and I tried teaching myself Calc I and failed. But when I took the class, it was fine. Unfortunately, I don't know of any good textbooks to suggest.

 

[iRaid]

I like stewart's book for calculus 1 tbh. The examples are a lot better than the book I use in class (which sucks..) and the problems are excellent.

 

[Drotzer]

I taught myself Calc 1 and 2 so far. I highly recommend using Math Tutor DVD for any math, physics, chemistry. It really helps a lot. You can buy it off the site or obtain it by other means. lol I am not a sales person for the record.

 

[e^(i Pi)+1=0]

Math Tutor DVD is good, but his calc 1 program is a bit incomplete. Admittedly, I'm only half-way through it, but he barely even mentions limits. I'd still recommend it as a resource though.