Advice on Calculus

Forum for the GRE subject test in mathematics.
Post Reply
AcidThinking
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:59 am

Advice on Calculus

Post by AcidThinking » Mon Jan 30, 2012 4:48 pm

I am facing a problem with Calculus books: they're too big and quite easy. I don't have the time to go over a big book and I know I will be able to easily solve most of its problems without pain.

So would there be a condensed/consice book that contains much harder calculus problems than the ones in a usual calculus textbook?

Please help.

dasgut
Posts: 250
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:20 am

Re: Advice on Calculus

Post by dasgut » Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:24 pm

Have you tried Apostol's books yet?

yoyobarn
Posts: 80
Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:01 am

Re: Advice on Calculus

Post by yoyobarn » Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:58 pm

I found Spivak's Calculus book very challenging.
(http://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Michael- ... 0914098896)

It is rather big though. (in size and thickness)

AcidThinking
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:59 am

Re: Advice on Calculus

Post by AcidThinking » Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:28 am

I still didn't take a look at Apostol's but did look at Spivak's. It seems pretty good, exactly between the basic calculus and real analysis one sees later. Pretty helpful. But it doesn't contain advanced multivariable calculus.

yoyobarn
Posts: 80
Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:01 am

Re: Advice on Calculus

Post by yoyobarn » Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:42 am

I read Multivariable Calculus: Early Transcendentals by James Stewart.

(http://www.amazon.com/Multivariable-Cal ... 0534417787)

The difficulty and rigour isn't on the level of Spivak though.

Ell
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:46 am

Re: Advice on Calculus

Post by Ell » Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:57 pm

What about Thomas' Calculus, eleventh edition? It's what we used for the calculus sequence. Is it enough for the math GRE test if I cover it all, or do I need to supplement it with more books?

yoyobarn
Posts: 80
Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:01 am

Re: Advice on Calculus

Post by yoyobarn » Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:42 am

I think Thomas' Calculus should be enough for the calculus part of GRE. Might need to supplement another book for differential equations though.

sywisy
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:25 am

Re: Advice on Calculus

Post by sywisy » Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:28 pm

OP, what's your goal? If you're looking for difficult problems in calculus that aren't analysis heavy, pick up an advanced EM text like Griffiths/Jackson or look at old Putnams.

But... self-study is hard, don't think you'll get anywhere unless you are dedicated and plan out your work carefully.



Post Reply