Calculus and Statistics

by Michael C. Gemignani

This self-contained undergraduate text offers a working knowledge of calculus and statistics. Topics include applications of the derivative, sequences and series, the integral and continuous variates, discrete distributions, hypothesis testing, functions of several variables, and regression and correlation. Answers to selected exercises. 1970 edition. Includes 201 figures and 36 tables.

Genres: Mathematics

384 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2006

Reviews

[Andrew Breza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calculus and Statistics is a great refresher on its eponymous topics. I would not suggest it if you have not had previous exposure to calculous or statistics since its proof-driven approach expects readers to fill in some rather formidable logical jumps. And some topics are explained in an overly formal way that hampers understanding. For example, here's the book's ponderous definition of a scatter plot: "If S is a finite subset of a bivariate population (X, Y), then a graphical representation of S is called a scatter diagram." The end of the book feels rushed, with a bafflingly short introduction to multivariate calculous followed by a halfhearted explanation of linear regression.

Despite my criticisms, I enjoyed reading this book. As a professional data scientist who's refreshing my math fundamentals, this was a good read. Calculus and Statistics filled in some of the mathematical rigor I didn't know about statistical concepts that I regularly use. Since it's sold by Dover Publications, it costs a fraction of the average math textbook and I could read it on my Kindle (many e-textbooks can only be read on a computer).

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text starts by introducing the ideas of calculus and probability. Later on, it combines the powers of both to expand the reach of both. There are thirteen chapters, an appendix with Tables numbered one to eight, a set of answers to selected problems, an index of the symbols used and a table of integrals.

In a sense, it is a beginner's text, since it doesn't assume much knowledge of calculus. So a lot of the earlier chapters are brush ups on basic calculus knowledge. It has a chapter covering the derivative and another chapter devoted to the integral. So if your skill has gaps as mine does, then this book will be helpful.