Customer Reviews

Calculus

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought the Kindle version of this book because I need a calculus reference to take with me and I don't want to carry another really big book. I have to say that having a text like this in my Kindle is a wonderful thing. I've seen some negative comments about the material in this book. Frankly, I find it to be a very understandable text. I like the author's presentation. So why one star? The formatting of the Kindle version. Wow! I'm reading through the first chapter and there are literally dozens of places where you have a variable name, such as x or y, that is joined to the next word (ex: For the function fdefined...are used instead of x.To evaluate...function was fi rst, etc) On one page the word "nonverticallines" appears twice. Here's one: "...are equivalent because Ll=0." There's no "Ll" anywhere else on the page. What this should have been was delta-x = 0. There are run-together's, misspellings, things left out, incorrect symbols...Again, that's only the first chapter. It's a shame to pay $139.00 and get a mess like this. This one's not ready for prime time.

Calculus by Larson,Hostetler, Edwards book was the series of books I used in my undergraduate Calc 1-3 classes.

Quick Summary:
Pros: Good number of exercises, *some* good examples, lots of illustrations, lots of good guidelines and formula sheets.
Cons: Some not-so-great examples, some examples *should* add more algebra steps, 3 editions in 7 years necessary, cost of book-per-class versus 3-set volume is absurd.

Full Review:
All in all I think this book was pretty good through the year and a half run I had for calculus 1-3, and the last two-three years since then when I have tutored the subjects.

If you need a book with a TON of good exercise sets, this book works well. There's A LOT of problems in each section, and most of the time the instructions clearly state what needs to be done, and what concept is being used. There are times that notation or instructions seem a bit obfuscated, however infrequent it may be.

As for examples... most examples are good if you have a firm grasp of algebraic skills. Unfortunately, if you are rusty or not on par with your algebra, many examples can seem painful to understand or navigate. They don't always mention what algebra trick is used, unless the specific section mandates heavy algebra (like the section for Partial Fraction Decomposition as a tool for Integration). This is probably most troubling in the first couple of chapters, since solving most limits involve quite the few algebra tricks. There should at least be a section devoted to an algebra review.

One great pro about the book is that there are plenty of guidelines and formula sheets found in it. You'll find it quite useful to copy them down, or photocopy some of these pages to have a small set of 5-6 pages full of quick reference materials. There are great guidelines on Integration by Parts, as well as Trigonometric Integrals, Series Tests, and the first/last page of the text includes FOUR pages of useful Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus formulas.

The only other complaint that I have is the price tag for the sectioned versions of the book. $150 (on Amazon) for all three sections of Calculus isn't a bad deal. Paying $90-120 for Calc 1, Calc 2, and Calc 3 separately however, is a ripoff. If you are a Math/Engineering student that *knows* you will take all three sections, get this version.

This is also an issue I have to question... why three versions spanning from 2002-2009? It's not unique to this book, as so many books in College Education get "updates" in a 2-3 year period... but one has to question this.

I think the flaw with this book is that it skips steps in the examples. A lot of Calc 1 students aren't wizards with the rules of algebra, and it would be cool if the calc book showed more of how they solve the example problems. I think they try to save on space on their examples and often when they run out of room on the page, the example says the rest is left as an exercise. I've spent hours staring at the examples and hours scratching my head how they get from step to step. I'm actually looking for a second book to use as reference as the class is assigned to use this one. Calc is awesome and very different than previous maths, but confusing as hell, and an elaborate text is essential.

-edited a couple years later- This book isn't so bad. No calc book can be as in depth as a student wants it to be. The student still is going to struggle and pull hair out no matter how the examples are layed out. I've switched schools and the second calc book was a slimmed down version of the one in review here. So, no more complaining about this book. It is more detailed than the new one I'm using. I actually get this book out for reference now. This book has lots of examples and excercises.

This review is done from the perspective of one who is either learning or teaching Calculus II and Calculus III. In this volume, Larson and Edwards have laid out elaborate examples in terms of how applications of the integral are carried out. Accompanied with WebAssign, the text information provides three-dimensional modeling such as the highly-enhanced computer graphics that enable one to see how space is occupied not just in the Cartesian (x-y) plane but also the surfaces that require x-y-z coordinates as well as those that entail cylindrical and spherical objects. For instance, in providing examples of the shell method or the method of disks, the instructor can give students an animated visual of the physical attributes described. Those engaged can see the apparatus from virtually all angles, including top view, bottom view, side view, etc. For one from the "old school", this is quite an advancement from the attempted chalkboard drawings of yesteryear; though often reliable, this learning tool could only be displayed on a two-dimensional surface, thus leaving too much to the imagination in regard to the remaining dimension which could not, at the time, be adequately illustrated.

Along with the advantages of the computer software, the exercises contained are numerous and well segued from one mastery level to the next. Having already taught Calculus from other references, I can argue that the changes from topic to topic or problem to problem are better transitioned in the 9th edition of Larson and Edwards than they are in other books. One particular standout is an outlined, shortcut method that might be used for various Integration by Parts exercises and thus drastically cut down on the number of steps that might otherwise be used, especially where repeated Integration by Parts is called for.

After reading the complaints from those in Calculus I, I recommend Silvanus Thompson's classic, Calculus Made Easy, as a cost-effective supplement for learning introductory level derivatives and integrals. So far as the intermediate, undergraduate level Calculus II and III are concerned, Larson and Edwards' work is ideal, for it seems to utilize innovative techniques in a style reminiscent of Thompson.

I don't find this book too great. There's plenty of exercises but not enough explanation. I'm not saying you need to water-down anything but the examples provided aren't sufficient enough to help guide students through problems.

I'm not a weak student in math, so I'm not having much trouble completing the exercises, but I have read the chapters and I usually look at another book if I'm intent on teaching myself anything. As far as learning goes, you're probably not going to like this book. Exercises? It's pretty good, you even see some Putnam competition problems.

There is critical information missing from Chapter 11 Section 6 page 820 #17, in the KINDLE edition of this publishing.
It gives you 4 points and 4 corresponding images to match, but one of the points is missing, which is needed in order to complete the question. Had I not had a hard copy of the book, I would not have spotted this error, and would have had a bad start to my Calculus 3 class.

Also, the images show up poorly on the 6" Kindle, due to the lack of a true zoom option for images. It would have been nice to actually be able to read the notations on the images, as this is critical to learning the subject.

If any more errors are found I will post.d
To pay this much money and it not to formatted correctly upsets me.
Errors should be corrected.

If you are looking at this book you probably must have it for a class but if not I would look elsewhere.
The book does not adequately explain things. There are lots of step by step examples but the explanations are lacking and the text that outlines the procedures could do a better job. Also it would be helpful if the problems in the sections refered to the appropriate examples in the begining of the section to help the student along as many other books do.
Good luck in Calculus.

A near complete waste of time! 9th edition and it is still a disaster for students attempting to learn calculus. Good reviews can only be from those who already know calculus as for a learning tool it is worthless!

I am totally fed up! Each section has the same issues. You read the chapter, practice the examples and begin to work on the problems. In short order you will be presented with issues that were not covered in the section! I spend an inordinate amount of time looking for clues!

For instance You will be instructed to solve problems with the power rule and quickly encounter problems that can only be solved with the quotient rule or worse yet the chain rule that has not been presented yet! C'mon.... Over and over each section has the same issues of impossible problems that in general are beyond the scope of the material presented in the section!!!!

Calculus is not all that hard to learn but I find this book hopelessly confounds the matter. It may be ok as a refresher for those who want to brush up skills as the organization is ok.

But as a stand alone text for Calc 1 students fresh off College Algebra and Trigonometry a real disaster.

If you are an instructor please don't use this book!

Continuing on to Chapter 3. More of the same. First Derivative Test has poor explanations that takes independent research to figure out. problems jump into piece wise fns with NO explaination in the text. Numerous other similar issues. Full of arcane proofs but almost zero simple explanations in plain english. Took me an hour to read through chapter 3 and make my own flash cards. Had to use Dummies Guide and Calc. Lifesaver to make sense of Larson's mess. If I ever meet that guy........

This is my second math text authored by Larson, and both texts have the same faults. Most concepts aren't sufficiently covered, I have had to get handbook with both books. The even problems are often significantly harder than the odd problems, and the lesson/examples use the most basic problems. There are usually not enough standard problems to get you ready for the slew of abstract problems that follow. This book might be alright for someone who already knows Calc and needs to brush up, but for the people such as myself who are new to the subject the book is hardly worth the pages it is printed on. I'm finding myself spending way more time searching the web for supplementary materials than actually working on Calculus. This book has definitely sharpened my web searching skills, but I would rather spend my time learning Calculus.

By the end of this text, you will be a marathon calculus machine. But, to get there you must have guidance. I'm a student who has completed 3 semesters of calculus using this book. At first, I hated this thing. Coming from slightly weak algebraic skills killed my understanding of the steps--or lack thereof--this book made. But now, once I've worked through this book, I even found errors in the solution manuals!

I guess what I'm trying to say is: this is a very, very solid book that, unfortunately, falling under judgment of those who are just now working with it. This is a text book that is caught in the crossfire of those who want to teach a very methodical approach to Calculus, and it's own wanting to be approachable to those who would like to study calculus on their own.

Now, I want to also make it clear that though this book has examples, the time has come to transition from a breadth of examples to theorems and corollaries. And like most people I know, that is not a fun transition to get used to. But, by the end of the book, it ties itself together nicely and leaves you with a very solid understanding of method and a slight inkling to proof which is most beneficial as you transition through Linear Algebra and Differential Equations steadily increasing proof.

So yes, the book skips a few steps. But they are, in majority, redundant. And if you discover the step skipped, I guarantee your abstract thinking will pay you back in the end!

Overall, it is a very good book that has a bitter relationship with those who encounter it the first time.

YOU WILL BECOME A BETTER MATHEMATICIAN.