Calculus for Dummies

The mere thought of having to take a required calculus course is enough to make legions of students break out in a cold sweat. Others who have no intention of ever studying the subject have this notion that calculus is impossibly difficult unless you happen to be a direct descendant of Einstein.

Well, the good news is that you can master calculus. It's not nearly as tough as its mystique would lead you to think. Much of calculus is really just very advanced algebra, geometry, and trig. It builds upon and is a logical extension of those subjects. If you can do algebra, geometry, and trig, you can do calculus.

Calculus For Dummies is intended for three groups of readers:

Students taking their first calculus courseIf you're enrolled in a calculus course and you find your textbook less than crystal clear, this is the book for you. It covers the most important topics in the first year of calculus: differentiation, integration, and infinite series.

Students who need to brush up on their calculus to prepare for other studiesIf you've had elementary calculus, but it's been a couple of years and you want to review the concepts to prepare for, say, some graduate program, Calculus For Dummies will give you a thorough, no-nonsense refresher course.

Adults of all ages who'd like a good introduction to the subjectNon-student readers will find the book's exposition clear and accessible. Calculus For Dummies takes calculus out of the ivory tower and brings it down to earth.

This is a user-friendly math book. Whenever possible, the author explains the calculus concepts by showing you connections between the calculus ideas and easier ideas from algebra and geometry. Then, you'll see how the calculus concepts work in concrete examples. All explanations are in plain English, not math-speak. Calculus For Dummies covers the following topics and more:

Real-world examples of calculus

The two big ideas of calculus: differentiation and integration

Why calculus works

Pre-algebra and algebra review

Common functions and their graphs

Limits and continuity

Integration and approximating area

Sequences and series

Don't buy the misconception. Sure calculus is difficultbut it's manageable, doable. You made it through algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Well, calculus just picks up where they leave offit's simply the next step in a logical progression. more

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From: Amazon
Posted: Oct-09-2009

Calculus for Dummies

Great review and explaination of math. The book does not have many examples to check your understanding. Therefore, I would recommend purchasing the matching workbook if you are using the book for self-study.

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From: Amazon
Posted: Sep-13-2009

Fantastic overview before taking my College Calculus class!!

Dear Mr. Ryan,I picked up "Calculus for Dummies" this morning in preparation for an upcoming college calculus class and I'm THOROUGHLY enjoying it! I am literally laughing out loud - thank you for making math fun. I really enjoy how you connect with your reader.Signed,Laughing in Farmington,...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Jul-31-2009

Drop every other calculus book and get this one.

The Author, Mark Ryan, bush wacks all the clutter away. This is by far the best Calculus book I've owned and I own a few. He gets right into the concepts in a easy to understand way and breaks all the ideas down into ways you can relate to (no calculus pun intended). There are no long draw out...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Jul-26-2009

Instructor recommended it after seeing a copy.

My daughter and her study partner are constanly refering to Calculus for Dummies because they don't understand what their expensive text book says. They brought it into class and showed it to another student who now plans on buying one. The professor saw this, looked at the book, and said it...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Jun-27-2009

It's Never Too Late To Learn

Something my accounting professor taught me (as I was struggling through accounting) was the importance of seeking out the writings of other authors. Where one will assume that you will grasp a concept - another will explain it and explain it again and in a manner that can open doors quickly....

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From: Amazon
Posted: Apr-05-2009

Great recourse! Highly Recommend!!!

I got this after failing my first calculus test, and I have to tell you, he results are amazing! Mr. Ryan really explains things in a down-to-earth, non-technical way, and it's a breath of fresh air to read. I just wish I had started reading this at the beginning of the semester, now I have too...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Feb-26-2009

One major Flaw with this book

This book has a major flaw in it--no examples! After reading a chapter, you have no idea if you've truly grasped the concept because there are no--none--exercises or sample problems. I am certain it is a ploy to get you to buy the Calculus for Dummies workbook. This is a frustrating book...

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From: Amazon
Posted: Jan-27-2009

Don't take a calculus class without this book

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R36RTRFQ11EBUY

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From: Amazon
Posted: Jan-19-2009

Best Buy Ever.

I have been struggling in Calculus all semester, after studying with this book before my mid-term I aced it! Every student taking Calculus should own this book.

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From: Amazon
Posted: Nov-03-2008

Great book!

Calculus for DummiesThis book takes careful reading if you date back to the forties and second year high school algebra, but put some effort into it and you can certainly gain more than a little insight into the subject. It is well written, holds one's attention, and gives the reader a laugh now...

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