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/sci/ - Science & Math

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7522523 No.7522523 [Reply] [Original]

Hey /sci/ can I teach myself Calculus 1? I'm currently in the class and have such a hard time understanding the professor (middle eastern I assume) so I never know what he's doing to get to the next step. I doubt he even explains what he does. I can't drop nor fail this shit so I need help. Once I go to the tutors it all makes sense but I can't always be there so I need some other options.

>> No.7522569
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7522569

>>7522523
Yes. While my teacher was very good, the content isn't that difficult.
Don't trust me, though. I'm biased and you should take many different opinions before reaching an answer.
Of course, you definitely should see about changing professors, but not classes.

Anyway, find a good Calculus textbook (recommendation: Larsen / Edwards Calculus 9e, I used it and it's somewhat reasonably priced, as far as textbooks go) and learn how to use it. A major boon (in fact, I attribute a large part of my calculus success to it) is using http://www.calcchat.com to learn how to do the example problems and with them, the content and strategies.

You should also look into Khan Academy. I've never used it, but I've only heard good things about it--perhaps some other anons might help here.
Also, check this 5.

>> No.7522572

>>7522569
Is there a PDF for that book? I'm using the one in the OP pic and it sucks. I tried changing teachers but they are all full so I can't do that anymore and we're 4 weeks into the semester. I have my first test Tues and I'm pretty scared because I'm trying to do Engineering and I can't be failing classes.
I just found MIT's open courseware. Do you think watching those lectures will help me at all? Or could they lack content that I may need. (I haven't really watched one but the guy teaching seems pretty good and easy to understand)

>> No.7522581
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7522581

>>7522572
>Is there a PDF for that book?
I'm not big into piracy. Wouldn't know.

>Do you think watching those lectures will help me at all?
No idea, but you should briefly skim over one of the lectures and compare it with the content on the test (surely there must be a document or syllabus somewhere).
They both should be about equal--calculus is standardized.

Also, dubs GET.

>> No.7522582

>>7522523
Yes. I took an online course for the first half of Calc BC (basically all of calc 1) and got the gist of it. Just get a decent book (the book you use is probably ok) read the chapters, look at examples, and do the suggested problem sets.

All you have to do is put in effort, the concepts are not hard, the arithmetic is just tricky.

>> No.7522584

>>7522572
Also, I'm sure there is some khan academy videos on the tricky parts of calculus, they seem to have a lot of material for HS and beginner college math courses.

>> No.7522588

yes you can
i self taught the entire thing in 2 weeks before my last semester undergrad calc final

>> No.7523101

Use the Sylvanus calculator book

>> No.7523114

>>7522523
If you truly wish to learn, and you have some semi decent algebra skills, Calculus, 4th edition by Michael Spivak is the end-all be-all of Calculus. When you complete this one, his Calculus on Manifolds book is a serious intro to multivariable calculus and vector analysis.

>> No.7524745

>>7522523
Yea, get the Schaums 3000 solved problems pdf and get to work. I taught myself calculus 2 during the summer and this book was a big reason to remember the formulas, trig identities, and how to solve integrals etc... I used the Edwards calculus book outside of the textbook my school required and I wasn't a fan. I solved some of the problems, but when it came to solving exponentials all of the answers were simplified meaning you had to use a calculator. I thought that was stupid since none of my professors let you use calculators to begin with.

I like the Calculus for scientist and Engineers book more.

Theres an PDF of the international version out there if you look for it.

>> No.7524813

>>7523114
Don't do this unless you have a very strong algebra and upper level high school math base, and know how to "speak math."
If you've already started serious mathematical development (ie strong foundations with rigorous, formal proofs in geometry and algebra) then don't bother with this. Being able to "speak math" and understand notation that is usually introduced in courses farther down the road is a pre-req for this book.
For now go with Khan Academy or MIT OCW's Single Variable Calc class. Those are resources for first-time calculus students.
If you REALLY want a text-book then Lutzer's Calc textbook is what I used freshman year. It's solid, especially for engineers and mathematical modeling in general.