Calculus (With Analytic Geometry)(8th edition) [Hardcover]

Ron Larson (Author), Robert P. Hostetler (Author), Bruce H. Edwards (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 061850298X | ISBN-13: 978-0618502981 | Publication Date: January 11, 2005 | Edition: 8

Designed for the three-semester calculus course for math and science majors, Calculus continues to offer instructors and students new and innovative teaching and learning resources. This was the first calculus text to use computer-generated graphics, to include exercises involving the use of computers and graphing calculators, to be available in an interactive CD-ROM format, to be offered as a complete, online calculus course, and to offer a two-semester Calculus I with Precalculus text. Every edition of the series has made the mastery of traditional calculus skills a priority, while embracing the best features of new technology and, when appropriate, calculus reform ideas. Now, the Eighth Edition is the first calculus program to offer algorithmic homework and testing created in Maple so that answers can be evaluated with complete mathematical accuracy. Two primary objectives guided the authors in writing this book: to develop precise, readable materials for students that clearly define and demonstrate concepts and rules of calculus and to design comprehensive teaching resources for instructors that employ proven pedagogical techniques and saves the instructor time. The Eighth Edition continues to provide an evolving range of conceptual, technological, and creative tools that enable instructors to teach the way they want to teach and students to learn they way they learn best.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1137 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 8 edition (January 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 061850298X
• ISBN-13: 978-0618502981
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.9 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ron Larson received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Colorado in 1970. At that time, he accepted a position with Penn State University in Erie, Pennsylvania, and currently holds the rank of professor of mathematics at the university. Ron is the lead author for over forty mathematics textbooks from 6th grade through calculus. Many of his texts, such as the 9th edition of is calculus text, are leaders in their markets.

Ron Larson is one of the pioneers in the use of multimedia to enhance the learning of mathematics. He has authored multimedia programs that range from 1st grade through calculus. To help with the development of his textbooks and multimedia programs, Ron founded Larson Texts, Inc., which with its publishing wing, Big Ideas Learning, employs about 60 people. Ron's most recent new textbook series is called "Big Ideas Math". It is the first middle school mathematics series to adhere to the NCTM's new "Focal Points Curriculum".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent textbook for calculus; well-written., June 13, 2006

By 

D. Bezboruah (Irvine, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Calculus (With Analytic Geometry)(8th edition) (Hardcover)

I have been a fan of Roland Larson's math textbooks, as they have always been very clear and the practice problems always make sense. I was recently stuck in some calculus courses which used the calculus textbook by James Stewart, and that book is a nightmare! Fortunately, my multivarible calc prof prefers Larson's book, which is what we use in class. Very good book; I recommend it much over Stewart's. Also, do note that the odd-exercise solutions are posted for free online at Roland Larson's website, which is given to you in the book.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, September 24, 2009

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Calculus (With Analytic Geometry)(8th edition) (Hardcover)

I used this book for Calc I and II.
The pre-calculus sections cover everything that you need for the calculus you'll be doing in the book.
If the pre-calc section didn't cover something you'll need in one of the 'real' chapters, the book covers it in the beginning section of that chapter.
Everything is organized well (in my opinion).
I do agree that the way some of the lessons are explained are sometimes hard to understand but all you need to do is fight through it to try to understand. If you still can't understand, just start trying the homework & the examples & you should be able to catch on.

Some classmates were complaining that it didn't review for Trig as much as it should've (you really need to have the special angle (30/60/90, 45/45/90) concepts memorized (or at least have the sin,cos & tan of the special angles memorized), however, I do remember the author adding additional sections in the appendix that covered the Trig you need to know for the course.
So make sure to check the appendix, it may have something you possibly need.

Overall, I really liked the book.
I highly recommend the H Anton book for Calc III though.
I had a really applicational calc III teach that NEVER did examples & never taught anything from the book.
He'd constantly go off on a tangent teaching applicational stuff that was very interesting, however, it did nothing for us in regards to the stuff we needed to learn for the class.
The H Anton book basically taught me the entire calc III material w/o a teacher.
The way it was written made it so you didn't really need a teacher.
If you're taking calc III, I definitely recommend the H Anton book (get it used though, don't pay high price based on my review. Not all books are for everyone, just b/c I liked it doesn't mean you would).

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, December 19, 2006

By 

Jim (Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calculus (With Analytic Geometry)(8th edition) (Hardcover)

I bought this book for a Calc II course and found it to be excellent. The explanations, for the most part, are good, as are the diagrams and graphics, which make it very readable. Some of the explanations are more convoluted than necessary but these are the exception, not the rule. I would agree with the reviewer who said that the topics do not change - I have one of Larson's earlier textbooks and compared the two one day to find most of the exact same problems! All in all, a good book though. The website is great.