Conquering Calculus

by Jefferson Hane Weaver

Explains the mysteries of higher math with entertaining and humorous anecdotes and demonstrates integrals and derivatives with everyday examples

Genres: Mathematics

279 pages, Hardcover

First published August 21, 1998

Reviews

[Billy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The strongest point for this book is its abundant snarky humor. However, the title is very misleading. It is in no way, shape or form a tutorial on calculus. It is more a tour of mathematical history from the static fields of geometry, algebra and trigonometry to the dynamic one of calculus. It is probably too advanced for anyone without a strong background in math; of course, those are probably the only ones who would want to read it anyway.

[Alan Ticotsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the history of mathematics. Not much about calculus until the last two chapters but then a good explanation of how it works. Very funny humor mixed in with accessible instruction about applications of math beginning with arithmetic through calculus.

[Nicole Izquierdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree; the humor is just delicious and something I am sadly not used to encountering in pretty much anything math related. The title was very misleading. When I first found it in the library catalog, I was expecting a textbook for me to "play math" with in my free time. Even though it turned out to be something quite different than what I thought I was getting, this is a delightful read! This may fly over the heads of people with not much math experience, but for those who know a little sumthin-sumthin about it will certainly find this very enjoyable. I love it so much I will be purchasing it soon. Not many books make that cut, let me tell you.

[Jenna Starkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book on Calculus for a popular audience. It starts off with basic math explanations surrounded in a world of snark, before working its way up to Calculus. However, this is not a math text book. What it does do is give a basic understanding of what Calculus is, what it's good for, and why we should care about it.

[Adrianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who hasn't delved as deeply into mathematics as calculus but who is curious to do so OR for a math educator wanting to be reminded of the context of teaching not just the method, but the love of it OR for the math "nerd" who wants some light and lightly humorous reading on a familiar topic.