Calculus For Dummies, 2nd Edition

This is my first brush with calculus and I found it fascinating, enthralling and amazing! However, like all science and mathematics, obviously calculus is benign and neutral and does not say anything political or biased. Now I know that even more. I highly recommend this made easy to understand book!

I have only just started but already some concepts are becoming clearer. In one or two cases I have supplemented the explanations by research on the internet. Both taken together help the layman to start to see calculus through the mathematical lens as it cannot be appreciated otherwise. I say this however very much as a novice!

I found it easy to read and just the right balance between schoolmaster and friend; I liked his style. In most cases, each step is carefully explained without either overdoing it or jumping several stages. However, for UK buyers it is basically an American book with US spellings and prior 'background' expectations to suit. It is now more than 40 years since I did any Calculus so it was bought as a 'refresher' but it seems that teaching methods since then and in the US appear to be different. There are some mistakes but these appear to be minor and should not disconcert readers too much. [Every text book I have bought so far has mistakes in it. Why? They are checked, and double checked, and edited and yet they still get through.] There are lots of worked examples but no problems with answers set of increasing difficulty and showing the working. It would appear that you buy a different book to fulfil that need. I found it helpful but potential buyers should check that it meets their needs by looking at the contents pages carefully before purchase.

One sentence from this book lifted a cloud from my mind. It was a complete revelation of the whole concept of calculus. I wish someone had given me that sentence fifty years ago when I managed to pass maths exams with very little understanding. I am now reading this book purely out of general interest. I am only part way through but it has given a very clear revision of the maths necessary before encountering calculus proper. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the book but at my age I can only take in a little at a time.

Pretty amazing book. Easy to understand (even funny at times!) and had all the necessary information. Loved it

Assisted me with the hnc engineering maths. Didn’t read the whole book but was easy enough to give me the assistance needed

The Kindle edition of Calculus for Dummies is unreadable so do not waste money downloading it, but opt for the print edition. The problem is with the fractions that are reduced from around 10pt to 1pt and cannot be read without a magnifying glass. I am requesting Amazon to cancel this Kindle edition and transfer the money to the paperback edition of a book that is otherwise a "must" for anyone who wishes to use the calculus. It is an eminently well-written explanation of a subject that can otherwise presage fear and apprehension in someone about to embark on using the calculus.

Bought this for my me and my son. He still doesn’t understand calculus, but I’ve given it 5 stars because this will work for a patient well-adjusted adult like myself. I strongly suggest changing the title because this book will NOT teach calculus to a dummy.