What Is the Best Way to Self Teach Calculus?

What Is the Best Way to Self Teach Calculus? Build up your own math library at home. Look for some used hardback and softback textbooks covering calculus at a used bookstore. Look online for REA Problem Solvers and Schaums Outline.

Get different used books because some textbooks are written better and different than others. My math professor walked into class years ago with copies of a chapter for each student from a book from his office and said he liked the way the book from his office was written vrs the way the book assigned to the class was written. I didn't understand his comment but didn't forget his comment.

When I got different books on the same level of math I did a comparison/contrast of several books and started to understand his comment. Having several different books gives you dozens of example problems to practice on which is needed and good. One book may have better explanations of a given chapter than another book.

What Is the Best Way to Self Teach Calculus?

You will have to decide whether you want to learn calculus at the level of rigorous epsilon-delta definition of the limit or at the more nebulous level of physical intuition. This will in turn influence whether you want to use the books for honors calculus courses (if in the US) or regular calculus courses.

For the honors calculus, “Baby Rudin” is a standard text, but there are some other options as well.
For the calculus at engineering level, something like Stewart Calculus is good, but there are many perfectly good alternatives.
Look for various free resources online and at the library. It is possible to spend a hundred dollars on a book that you will find useless, so beware.
Don’t try to learn calculus all at once. Start with the basics and go from there. You may also find that study of calculus improves your precalculus skills, which is perfectly natural.

I’m going through the same thing with you bro. *bumps fists*. I’ve learnt all the way to Calc II and learning Calc III right now as well.

Mostly, I relied on Khan Academy and Paul’s Online Math Notes (apologies I can’t give you direct links but I don’t know how to hyperlink on mobile). These are pretty much the only two websites that you will ever need. MathIsFun is also another good one; it helps explain concepts in a simpler and more intuitive manner and it also provides diagrams. You should also watch YouTube videos as I find learning by listening to be more like having a teacher in the room.

What is the best way to teach yourself calculus?

This somehow helps me learn faster. Paul’s Online Math Notes is a professor’s notes of his classes. He’s practically got everything you need to read. Personally, I haven’t relied on many books but I recommend you do. Try stay after-school in your school’s library reading some Calc books. When in doubt of some concepts, just ask your math professor as I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to help you. You’ll also need a healthy dose of creativity when solving problems (particulary with Integrals). Calculus has many tools to help solve problems, you just need to find one that works. You’ll also sometimes need to manipulate the functions in unorthodox ways like this

ddx[ax]=ddx[exlna]

(This means the derivative or slope of the tangent line of ax ). I’d also recommend solving many practice problems. I had the most problems understanding stuff in Trigonometry so maybe you should start with that. There are also many rules in Differentiation and Integration that you’ll need to memorize to be fluent. My advice is to just revise these rules endlessly, day and night until you have them drilled permanently in your long term memory. Practice them everywhere, in your head at the dinner table, while taking the bus to school and heck, why not, math class too.

If you don’t know what the answer to a problem is, don’t dwell on it too long. Don’t be afraid to go to WolframAlpha or an Integral or Derivative Calculator and check the correct answer. Then, try to learn how to get to that answer so you can do it yourself. Now, last but not least, do not force your learning. I’m guessing the reason your prof challenged your intellectual limits is because you showed strong interest and aptitude toward mathematics. If you force yourself, that flame will dwindle and you’ll think that it’s all very dreary and time consuming. Learn at your own pace.

Good Luck!

Slader Calculus