Calculus Made Easy [Paperback]

Silvanus P. Thompson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

Equal-opportunity reviewers, we welcome a book on behalf of the continuum! It is for the mathematically eager who know some algebra. The first edition appeared anonymously in 1910 in England, and overall a million copies have been sold. In fact, most talk of continuum and its infinities is suppressed; the eye is nicely fixed on little bits of x, called dx, their differences and sums among all kinds of functions, their geometric meaning, and what they can do for you--a lot. Martin Gardner, himself an American mathematical landmark, says, "This is the leanest and liveliest introduction to calculus ever written," and, taken with his own present augmentation, three whole chapters and more, including infinite series and some neat problems, he is quite right. The times they are a-changing, and we admit we are not current in computer resources. Maybe "little bits of x" ought to--or have been--placed on the screen in a serious pedagogic structure that students can manipulate. Graphics programs that share the scope and spirit of Thompson/Gardner would make a valued complement to their paper-and-pencil book. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Calculus Made Easy is arguably the best math teaching ever. To a non-mathematician, its simplicity and clarity reveals the mathematical genius of Newton, Leibniz, and Thompson himself. Martin Gardner deserves huge thanks for renewing this great book."—Julian Simon, author of Population Matters

"A remarkable and user-friendly approach to the study of calculus, made even more so by Martin Gardner, the most highly acclaimed mathematical expositor of our time."—R.L. Graham, Chief Scientist, AT&T Labs, and author of Concrete Mathematics
-- Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Johnston Press; Enlarged edition (May 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1409724670
• ISBN-13: 978-1409724674
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #60,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

203 of 206 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calculus Made Easy, Silvanus P. Thompson and Martin Gardner, March 19, 2000

By	Miles Waltner "[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calculus Made Easy (Hardcover)

Being an electrical engineer (with additional majors in mathematics and physics) and pushing twenty-five years work experience, I have to admit not a little anger at having read this book. This anger, however, stems from the facts a) that I was not fortunate enough to have had it as a resource while I was learning calculus and b) I have seen a lot of author-aggrandizing techno-babble dedicated to the subject that has served only to discourage the masses! Mr. Gardner has done a great service with regard to both Mr. Thompson's opus and all students of mathematics. With Mr. Gardner's additions, it is even simpler, more straightforward and, in terminology borrowed from the realm of pure mathematics, "elegant" in its presentation and demystification of the subject. To anyone beginning the study of calculus and desiring to understand and appreciate the subject, it is highly recommended for both reading and practice.

M. L. Sewell, Jr., 3/2000

129 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars recommended reading for beginners and Calculus teachers., April 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Calculus Made Easy (Hardcover)

I have been teaching Calculus for the last two years, and I just stumbled across this book a few weeks ago. What I found was a book that explains the philosophy of the subject in a very simple manner, making it easy to understand even for people who are not proficient in math.

The concepts in Calculus are really simple things; as Gardner puts it, "the universe seems to favor simplicity in its fundamental laws". But there's always the teacher's pride, which leads him to make it all seem difficult, expecting the student to be amazed at how much the teacher knows. Alas the true result is that the student is usually left confused, loses interest in the subject, perhaps gives up on a career that he/she otherwise would have succeeded in, etc. I know about this, because I am guilty of it myself.

I recommend this book to people who:

1. Are just learning calculus. The book uses easy-to-understand language, simple examples, etc. Read about the binomial theorem before reading this book, though.

2. People who want to grasp the essence of calculus, not necessarily for a college course. Easy, entertaining reading; as stated earlier, the philosophy of the subject is presented in a comprehensible manner.

3. Calculus teachers. Definitely a must! This book is a good example of how calculus should be taught. Though you may not draw totally upon it, having read through Thompson's book can give you a good idea on how to organize your course and how to explain fundamental concepts

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally explained calculus in a way I understood, July 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Calculus Made Easy (Hardcover)

After 3 years of advanced mathematics in college and an engineering degree, everything I knew about calculus was rote: I could come up with the answers, but not because I understood the underlying principles or basis, but because I could memorize procedures. Years out of school, I bought this book and read it, and the light bulb turned on. I don't know whether I was just a bad student before, had bad teachers, or simply was presented the material in a way that was incompatible with the way I learn. In any case, this book did it for me, and perhaps it will do the same for others. I've since gone back through my old college math books, and they're as difficult to understand as they were the first time. If you know someone struggling with calculus, do them a favor and get them this book.