/sci/ - Science & Math

Is this a meme books like SICP over on /g/?

If not, what do I need to know before I can get into it? I looked at some excerpts and it seems pretty complex.

Hey /sci/, here's the deal. I've taken and learned (pretty poorly) calculus up to multivariable/vector calculus and linear algebra. However with the summer coming up, I have an opportunity to hunker down for a few months and do math. My goal is to be in a position to do well in higher level classes, participate in a few math contests (not that contest math is similar to classroom or research math, i just find it fun) and maybe end up applying to grad school. Right now I'm working through How to Prove It at a calm pace but I'm thinking I want to go through a book that will toughen me up and help me develop the fundamentals. What's a good book for doing that? This one (Spivak)?

What's so good about this book? I'm considering getting it, about to take my first calc course. Feel free to share any other suggestions
also, general books thread

Spivak

I am trying to buy pic related, but it's been sold out of nearly every online bookseller I can find for at least two weeks. Does anyone know where I can buy it from, or why there is such a shortage? Is there a new revision being published soon, or what am I missing here?

Thanks /sci/ you are fantastic

I like it.

I have a lot of math books but this is the only one of which I'm truly fond.

>>6132130
For all of their faults I think Ravi's notes are better. It would still be nice if G&W finished the second volume sometime soon so there would be a bound book that one could recommend.

There is something about limits that is bugging me, /sci/.

When proving that <span class="math">\lim _{x\rightarrow 0}f\left( x\right)=\lim _{x\rightarrow 0}f\left( x^3\right)[/spoiler], I'm missing the justification for this step.

Basically, from assuming that
<span class="math">\lim _{x\rightarrow 0}f\left( x^3\right)[/spoiler]
exists, we say that
<span class="math">if 0 < \left| x\right| < \delta^{3}, then 0 < \left| x^{1/3}\right| < \delta[/spoiler]
and thus
<span class="math">\lim _{x\rightarrow 0}f\left( x\right)[/spoiler]
exists as well. How was that step justified?