Customer Reviews

Single Variable Calculus: Early Transcendentals, Volume 1

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

 

 

Besides the fact that going through the textbook actually feels a bit like sifting through word-vomit about math, there are also plenty of other faults with which Single Variable Calculus tries to take up as much of your time as possible before teaching you anything !

1. The examples are often too simple when compared to the second half of the problems for each chapter.
2. The examples for each chapter often do not explain how to do all the different types of problems that come up in the problems sets.
3. As if that isn't enough to sufficiently confuse you, let's not forget the most major fault with the book - about half the time the examples just randomly skip steps without even indicating it, basically punching holes in any life-boats you might have still been clinging to.

What Stewart does succeed in doing is proving the stereotypical image of a "math person" right in that he can certainly solve highly complex math problems, but cannot pass on the knowledge of HOW to do so to save his life. But, to be fair, if you actually manage to go through the word vomit, you will note that it is not for lack of trying.

Not a very good Textbook! The Examples given aren't very helpful with later problems in the same section. If you are required to use this book, i would highly suggest you get some supplemental help from other texts and/or join/create a study group and/or get lots of help from T.A.s or a tutor.

Please, ignore the five star ratings for this book. They should be directed at Amazon or other distributors, and have no bearing on the content of this text. Instead, they relate to the timely and safe manner in which the text was transported. I have worked with this text for a little over a year now, in two calculus courses. I sincerely agree with the reviews by individuals who have ACTUALLY read the text, instead of simply buying it and staring at the package. This book is atrocious. The examples are far from helpful. An instance: In the chapter on integrals the book uses an example to teach the definition of the integral with an ESTIMATION. It estimates the area of a portion of the area under the curve to be a certain number and then calculates this along with other information to come to it's answer. If I am learning something, I don't want to be taught through estimates, I want clear concise directions that can be repeated without deviation or error. As well, only a single problem is shown, with very little true explanation. More detailed explanation of at least three different problems per topic would be preferable, so a student can then gain a more confident and clear understanding. Similar examples of this book's tedious and unclear nature are common within it's pages. I hope in future editions these changes are made.

Don't buy this book unless it's required for your course. Even then, if you can copy problems, you might as well just watch videos my Patrick JMT.

The book seems to love to explain things by the method of incomprehensible proof after incomprehensible proof with lots and lots of symbols that have hardly been used or introduced at all in quick succession.

You'll find that if you do use the book, it will just be to look at the boxed formulas, which, if put together would comprise less than 1 page of writing per multi-page chapter.

Everyone complaining about examples doesn't get the point of a math textbook or even math for that matter. The textbook isn't a cook book giving you the recipe to do every type of problem, it provides the theories and instructions on how to grasp the material. Having a book that has an example for every type of problem would probably get you a good grade but you certainly wouldn't learn anything.

Front Cover
Introduction
Box Formula - Case 1
Box Formula - Case 2
Box Formula - Case 3
Box Formula - Case 4
Box Formula - Case 5
Box Formula - Case 6
Box Formula - Case 7
Box Formula - Case 8
Box Formula - Case 9
Box Formula - Case ...
Back Cover

This book does nothing to develop mathematical intuition. Avoid it, if you have a choice.

I have no complaints, nor any real love for this book. It does what it is supposed to, no more, no less.

The product was shipped very fast and in great condition! Exactly as mentioned! I was very satisfied with this seller and would recommend anyone to purchase from them! Thanks a lot!

i bought this item thinking that this is what i need. however when i got it it wasnt the one that i needed. so i asked the seller if i can get a full refund right away. but i wasnt able to get it. so i just didnt like the return policy

book was in perfect shape when i received it. of course, it is still a calculus book so you can only like it as much as you like calc, for me not too much, but the book itself is great and informative and all that.