Calculus For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science))

In the world of engineering it's essential to know basic mathematics and calculus. For those of us just starting out in technical math, I can recommend three outstanding references. You cannot do better than this matched set; "Calculus For Dummies" and "The Idiots Guide To Calculus". Both are wonderfully lucid and yet cover the essentials. They should be bought as a set since they approach many concepts in ways that differ yet in a cooperative fashion. If your just starting out with calculus or just feel shaky on the basics I also very strongly recommend "Effortless Algebra" by Maran Publications. I call these books The Three Kings. The problem with math books generally, is that they are either trivial and aimed at children or are so daunting that they intimidate the math-impaired. These books strike that magic median. Thorough but accessible.

This is the most simpliest book on the most difficult math I've seen yet. This is great! I love it. It explains it in words that I can understand. Most of the books I have seen don't even come close. If you want to learn calculus, get this book! I recommend it. Highly!

For the longest time, when I read other books, I had a hard time understanding what y=3x+5 means (for example). This books explains that down to the detail where other books don't. And I am slow at learning math so this tells me from the starting point - which is exactly what I need. Otherwise, what's the point?

Great book!

I have been accused of being smart but calculus gave me troubles and it may have been because of other reasons having to do with some learning disabilities. This book is only marginally better than it's competitors but it spends too much time trying to lighten up by making jokes than getting to the real heart of the matter.
I am still looking for a treatment that deals with calculus more like what I think Richard Feynman would have done. I say this because most of Feynman's explanations create almost epiphanous insights into physical phenomena that open the way for advanced concepts and understanding. I offer Feynman's "Lectures on Physics" or his amazing "QED: the Strange Theory of Light and Matter". Read those and you will grasp the standard by which I judge methods and examples of teaching difficult subjects. Mark Ryan is no Richard Feynman but I didn't expect that just a little greater attempt to smooth the rocky parts of the subject.
Next!

I was lost in calculus here at Babson College and sinking fast. Nothing the teacher said made any sense. So I took a chance with Calculus for Dummies and it paid off! it's absolutely amazing. Concepts I couldn't even begin to understand in class and from the assigned book were explained so clearly and made it overall seem easy.

He also makes calculus seem easy through sarcasm which takes away some of the fears associated with calculus and I think that works wonders by appealing to your subconscious.

I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE learning calculus!

EDIT: I got my calculus 2nd exam score today. I went from being hopelessly lost 3 days before the test, and after a little studying of this book, I ended up with an 86 on the exam with a class average of 75! The proof is in the numbers. Do not miss out on this book.

I am pretty satisfied with the quality of a textbook. It explains really well and in a fun manner. The only problem I have is that sometimes the explanation is too brief, for a example I needed extra help with relation and the domain. However, I would still recommend this textbook as a great addition to a course.

I bought this book when I was struggling in Calculus I for Engineers, and although it doesn't go into as much detail as my text book, it does a far better job of explaining calculus concepts in an understandable way. After several hours of reading this book, I turned my performance in the class around. Worth the money. Applicable for Calc I (derivatives) and Calc II (integrals).

This book is absolutely amazing!!! I refer to it more than I use my Calculus II textbook. The author, Mark Ryan, breaks all the complicated concepts down into such easy terminology that they are so easy to understand. It is an absolute necessity for anyone taking high school or college calculus. Definitely worth every penny I paid for it!

It is really good. I have a quantitative background ( statistics+ Or + Econometrics) but limited
calculus so I wanted to improve my knowledge and I have. I am still not an expert but I no longer
feel intimidated by the subject matter.

Layton W. Franko, Ph.D

Helped immensely with Calculus 1. I understand many For Dummies math books are sub-par; this one, however, does the job. It's simplification of calculus concepts into real world (and easy to understand) examples is central. From here it expands the concept into mathematical formalism in the most basic way possible, allowing the student to crunch the numbers while not losing sight of what it all means. Also has a substantial introduction of the necessary algebra and trigonometry.