Calculus from Graphical, Numerical, and Symbolic Points of View [Paperback]

Arnold Ostebee (Author), Paul Zorn (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0030106036 | ISBN-13: 978-0030106033 | Publication Date: June 1995

Ostebee and Zorn provide concrete strategies that help students understand and master concepts in calculus. This user-friendly text continues to help students interact with the main calculus objects (functions, derivatives, integrals, etc.) not only symbolically but also, where appropriate, graphically and numerically. Ostebee/Zorn strikes an appropriate balance among these points of view, without overemphasizing any of them. New exercises, examples, and much more have added tremendously to this great book.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Harcourt College Pub (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0030106036
• ISBN-13: 978-0030106033
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,719,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A teacher-user's viewpoint PLUS excellent student feedback, May 26, 2005

By 

Gottfried e. Newton (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calculus from Graphical, Numerical, and Symbolic Points of View Second Edition, Single Variable (Hardcover)

Most of the other reviews have it wrong. I imagine they are mostly from calculus students who got grades they didn't want, which isn't hard to do no matter WHAT book is used. I'd hate to think any calculus teachers downrated this book. It's a prize winner.

I teach advanced placement calculus; have for 34 years, during which time I've seen and used a LOT of calculus texts. This book is an excellent treatment of the topics of calculus--not Real Analysis, for math majors, but great for its intended audience.

Most of my students read the book since I encourage that. Most who read it report that they like it, especially the humor. Those who don't like it no doubt dislike the lack of example after example after example after example after example that dull the mind and prepare the reader ONLY for those numerous similar-if-not-identical problems in the homework.

Not an easy read? It's CALCULUS! Read it slowly for comprehension, with a pencil. It's not a novel.

But it IS NOVEL. Its concept-oriented approach is quite unlike the traditional algebraic approach. We have computer algebra systems today; UNDERSTANDING the CONCEPTS of calculus is what's more important and Ostebee and Zorn provide this through a variety of thought-provoking problems. In most sections, no two are alike. FAR from traditional-looking.

As a reform text, it is unusual in that they built the book from the ground up. None of this, "OK, we're getting pressure to put in graphing calculator problems; let's make volume umpteen different--put little calculator icons next to every 3rd problem and add a few lines to each chapter and stick 'Graphing Calculator' in the title" approach taken by other authors and companies.

But it's not just for high school AP calculus. Many colleges use it. Do an internet search. No, it's not as widely used as some of the aforementioned modifications of older popular texts, and should NOT be unless instructor and student are unwilling to think, assimilate, and apply concepts constantly. P.S. This is a sure fire way to learn ANYthing.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars as a future calculus teacher..., January 20, 2003

By 

zanewbuxton "um_ya_ya" (Northfield, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calculus: From Graphical, Numerical, and Symbolic Points of View : Student Solutions Manual (Paperback)

I used this book for my calc class and while it is an interesting and noble approach at changing the way calculus is being taught today, it lacks the ability to explain things on the student's level. It is a great text if someone already knows calculus, to get at the concepts in an alternative light. However, for students with little or no calculus experience - prepare to be lost and pray for a hepful professor.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible for the beginner student, October 5, 2005

By 

Hector E. Jimenez (Tempe, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Calculus from Graphical, Numerical, and Symbolic Points of View Second Edition, Single Variable (Hardcover)

Horrible text due to the following reasons:
* authors use "convince yourself" too many times without showing adequate amount of proofs (typical method of "convincing" students in other texts). Personally, I got so fed up with this that I threw this book (softcovered edition) on the wall of my dormitory hundreds of times throughout the semester out of frustration. I was lucky that I had an EXCELLENT professor during my first semester of Calculus.
* the "proofs" that are used are mostly examples or counterexample and do not rigerously explain the "why" questions?
* needs organization
* not enough examples to adequately solve end of chapter problems; humans learn through example
* some typographical errors

Pro's: Some of the end of the chapter problems are ingenious and help provide the student with a deeper understanding of the material.

Overall: If you are a student forced to use this text you should obtain another book (Hostetler for example) to supplement the reading material and attend all lectures. This was the only way I passed the class.