What is the meaning of transcendentals for calc books?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mindheavy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Books
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the terminology of "early transcendentals" and "late transcendentals" in calculus textbooks, exploring the implications of this distinction and the recommendations for supplemental reading materials.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the terms "early" and "late transcendentals" refer to when functions like e^x are introduced in the curriculum.
  • One participant expresses a negative opinion about the terminology, labeling it as confusing and suggesting that there is only one type of transcendentals related to numerical values of transcendental functions.
  • A participant inquires about the appropriateness of using Lang or Spivak as supplemental texts alongside their current course book, Larson's Calculus, indicating a desire for multiple perspectives on the material.
  • Another participant raises a question about the order of presenting calculus concepts, such as whether integrals should come before derivatives, and whether this order is based on reasoning or personal preference of the authors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the terminology and its implications, with no consensus reached on the value of the terms "early" and "late transcendentals" or the order of presenting calculus concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the terminology and the order of concepts lack detailed definitions and may depend on individual interpretations of calculus pedagogy.

mindheavy
Messages
62
Reaction score
0
I see these calculus books, some titled 'early transcendentals' some 'late transcendentals'. What does this mean? What is the difference?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It means that book is bad. Just get a copy of Lang or Spivak's calculus.

Seriously (or not): it means that functions such as [itex]e^x[/itex] are introduced later or earlier in the book.
 
wow. I've seen this book by Lang recommended before. I'm in Calculus I currently, and my school is using Larson's Calculus for Calc I,II, and III, which I will be taking all of. Would you recommend either of Lang or Spivak as supplemental reading or that I just stick to the prescribed course book? I do enjoy having multiple sources of literature to gain more perspective on sometimes. Thoughts?
 
Confusing and plain bad terminology, indeed. There's only one type of transcendentals = numerical values in the images of transcendental functions, such as sin x.
 
Another thing that interests me is, most 'older' texts seem to present the integral before the derivative, while some books present the limit->derivative->integrals, is there any reasoning behind the order of presentation, or are they completely interchangeable and authors preference?
 
Last edited:
micromass said:
It means that book is bad. Just get a copy of Lang or Spivak's calculus.

Ahahaha and I was thinking of a clever way to answer this question! :D

Well said! :D

SolsticeFire
 

Similar threads

A question about Stewart's calculus -- Contains answers to odd numbered questions?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Analysis What’s a good book on transcendental functions?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Calculus Comparing "Calculus" and "Early Transcendentals" Textbooks for MST124
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
14K
Calculus Good textbooks for really learning calculus?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K
Calculus Best Calculus book for self-study - Choosing between 3
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
12K
Collection calculus early/late transcendental
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Self teaching Calculus for physics?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
Classical Starting IPhO preparation in grade 10 -- Calculus book suggestions
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Other Complex analysis or calculus?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Good textbooks for second year physics courses?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K