Calculus for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: As a freshman college student, I purchased this book to help me understand what my awful professor and text book were trying to say. This book does a fantastic job at bringing calculus "down to earth", to quote Mark Ryan. It eliminates the pages of proofs my text book had and cuts right to the chase, explaining calculus in plain English. This book actually TEACHES calculus in a fun way.

This book is worth every penny if you are a student. If you're a beginning calculus student, you will probably get more use out of this book than your text, as did I.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: As a freshman college student, I purchased this book to help me understand what my awful professor and text book were trying to say. This book does a fantastic job at bringing calculus "down to earth", to quote Mark Ryan. It eliminates the pages of proofs my text book had and cuts right to the chase, explaining calculus in plain English. This book actually TEACHES calculus in a fun way.

This book is worth every penny if you are a student. If you're a beginning calculus student, you will probably get more use out of this book than your text, as did I.

Rating:
Summary: The only calculus that actually makes sense
Review: Calc for dummies really makes calculus seem easy. The author uses plain english,not specialist math terminology,to convey the key concepts of calculus to his readers. Im currently taking calc I at college. At first I found really and frustrating because it didn't make sense to me. As a result I only got 50% on my first quiz. So I bought calc for dummies and it really made a difference because I ended up getting 90% on my first midterm. If you get this book along with the calculus problem solver your bound to succeed in calculus.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing Approach to the Fundamentals of Calculus
Review: I have been using "Calculus for Dummies" to review my Calc I and Calc II basics. I am surprised and pleased with how well Ryan's descriptions and explanations have allowed me to better understand the underlying principles in Calculus. If you are serious about the groundwork and maintenance of your mathematical skills, you know that it is frequently beneficial to return to the basics for those fundamental concepts which can occassionally grow fuzzy with time. If you can find a text that treats the material in a new and entertaining way, the review can be enjoyable as well as instructive.

I highly recommend Ryan's book. He limits complexity (and warns you when he is doing so) to keep the material accessible. For the ultra rigorous analysis, there are many college texts available. But if you are new to Calculus, or looking for a different and refreshing approach to the basics, you will find "Calculus for Dummies" a wise investment. If you are taking Calculus in school and are having some problems understanding the material (and who hasn't?), this book will help you "decode" some of the more difficult concepts. I am sure that it is destined to become a valuable catalyst text on many a struggling math student's desktop.

Rating:
Summary: One glaring weakness
Review: I have been using "Calculus for Dummies" to review my Calc I and Calc II basics. I am surprised and pleased with how well Ryan's descriptions and explanations have allowed me to better understand the underlying principles in Calculus. If you are serious about the groundwork and maintenance of your mathematical skills, you know that it is frequently beneficial to return to the basics for those fundamental concepts which can occassionally grow fuzzy with time. If you can find a text that treats the material in a new and entertaining way, the review can be enjoyable as well as instructive.

I highly recommend Ryan's book. He limits complexity (and warns you when he is doing so) to keep the material accessible. For the ultra rigorous analysis, there are many college texts available. But if you are new to Calculus, or looking for a different and refreshing approach to the basics, you will find "Calculus for Dummies" a wise investment. If you are taking Calculus in school and are having some problems understanding the material (and who hasn't?), this book will help you "decode" some of the more difficult concepts. I am sure that it is destined to become a valuable catalyst text on many a struggling math student's desktop.

Rating:
Summary: Great resource!
Review: I used this book while I took Calc 1 in college. I eventually got a B because of how well this book explains integrals and other important concepts. An easy to understand, step by step approach is what I like, and this book has it!

Rating:
Summary: One glaring weakness
Review: I would give this book 5 stars except for one omission that I find unbelievable: There are no practice problems! Not a single one! Each chapter of the book should have at least a couple problems for the reader to work. This omission mars an otherwise splendid review of the subject.

Rating:
Summary: "Calculus for DUMMIES", by Mark Ryan was one of the most val
Review: I'm a 34-year-old student, currently enrolled in Calculus II at the College of Marin.

Having recently left a position as Director of Consulting Services at Sun Gard Data Systems, to pursue a science degree, depth of knowledge and time are greatly important to me. Calculus proved to be a challenge for me on both fronts. Subsequently I purchased over six books on the subject. The best by far was "Calculus for DUMMIES". Ryan's clear explanations and analogies were of incredible value to me. Upon sharing this news with some of my fellow students they too purchased the book.

I credit hard work and "Calculus for DUMMIES" with my scores - which were all above 91%.

The only regret I have is the Ryan has not produced another book for my calculus III needs.

Thanks Mark - Keep up the good work...

Justin Manes


Rating:
Summary: Excellent calculus companion for high school and college
Review: In the tradition of the "For Dummies" series, "Calculus For Dummies" offers its readers with the advantage of clearly understanding critical ideas in calculus.

The book starts off with a refresher for algebra and such and then eliminates any fears of limits the reader might have. The fundamental idea of a limit (without the advanced delta-epsilon notation) allows the reader to thoroughly understand the backbone of calculus.

Differentiation is treated in detail with examples in power rule, chain rule, quotient rule, and applications (which the reader will have absolutely NO problem with after reading this book).

The concept of integration is explained so that the reader may see the fundamental principles of infinite summation of rectangles of miniature area. "Calculus For Dummies" has a strong presentation of integration techniques (especially integration by parts and the LIATE method pneumonic device) as well as trigonometric, volume and surface area, substitution, and indefinite integration.

Lastly, "Calc for Dummies" concludes with a discussion of infinite series. The book explains each of the 10 methods covered and also offers tips as to which method to use for a specific occasion.

All in all, a tremendously well-written book for those taking Calculus for the first time, those who need a companion for their current calc class, as well as those wishing for a refresher. "Calculus For Dummies" is very readable and allows the reader to understand the beautiful language of calculus without the rigors of proofs most calc textbooks have.

Rating:
Summary: Well - written, well - taught, well worth it!
Review: Mark Ryan does a masterful job at presenting complex ideas in an intelligent but highly accessible manner. His light humor is motivating, particularly where the going gets a little rough. His relaxed, clear teaching style reduced my anxiety, making it possible for me to really learn the point of what basic calculus is about. His explanation of integration is the best I've seen anywhere. Bravo, Mark!