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Thomas' Calculus, Single Variable
This package contains the following components:
-0321600703: Student Solutions Manual, Single Variable for Thomas' Calculus
-0321637429: Thomas' Calculus, Single Variable
-0321600703: Student Solutions Manual, Single Variable for Thomas' Calculus
-0321637429: Thomas' Calculus, Single Variable
792 pages, Unbound
First published October 6, 2005
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71 people want to read
About the author
George B. Thomas Jr.
176 books56 followersGeorge Brinton Thomas, a mathematician who turned a one-year teaching appointment at MIT into a 38-year career and whose well-regarded textbook has been used around the world, died Oct. 31 of natural causes in State College, Pa. He was 92.
Thomas, known as a young teacher for his ability to communicate mathematical concepts, was hired in 1951 by publisher Addison-Wesley to revise their then-standard, widely used calculus textbook. Rather than revise, he wrote his own, a classic text that has been in use for 54 years.
At MIT, Thomas came to be regarded as an outstanding teacher, "one of the best teachers the department has ever had," according to then Department Head Ted Martin. Not only did he teach a wide variety of subjects, but he also willingly took on new courses. Administratively, he served as executive officer of the department for ten years and as graduate registration officer from 1962-67.
Thomas was born Jan. 11, 1914, in Boise, Idaho. His mother died in the influenza pandemic in 1919, and young George grew up in sometimes difficult circumstances. At one point he lived in a tent with his father and stepmother. "It must have been sort of hard times, because I can remember going out with her to pick weeds of some kind along the roadside that were edible," he recalled afterward, according to his daughter, Fay Bakhru.
His father's work in a bank helped lead Thomas to discover his own fascination with numbers. After studies at Spokane University and Washington State College, which led to bachelor's and master's degrees, Thomas hoped to become a high school math teacher, but "that somehow didn't work out," as he related afterward.
During World War II, Thomas helped program the differential analyzer for the calculation of firing tables for the Navy.
After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in October 1957, Thomas was part of a national effort to improve math and science education in American schools. He also traveled to India on a Ford Foundation grant to teach Indian instructors how he and his American colleagues taught math.
Thomas worked in a shoe store for a time to save money for doctoral studies, and eventually went to Cornell, where he completed his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1940, and then came to MIT, from which he retired in 1978.
Thomas' commitment to education went well beyond MIT. From 1955-57, he served on the Board of Governors of the Mathematical Association of America, an organization devoted to mathematics, especially at the undergraduate level. He was elected its first Vice-President 1958-59. Thomas also served on the Executive Committee, Mathematics Division, of the American Society for Engineering Education from 1956-59. He was a member of the Commission on Mathematics of the College Entrance Examination Board, 1955-58, for which he co-authored monographs on mathematics, and spoke at numerous forums about teaching and high school curriculum reform. In addition to his calculus text, which had a significant impact, he was also one of the editors on a series of high school mathematics texts for Addison-Wesley Publishing.
Twice widowed, Thomas is survived by two daughters, Fay, of Glen Mills, Pa., and Jean H. Thomas of West Chester, Pa.; a son, James H. Thomas of Owls Head, Maine; a stepson, Brad Waldron of Beverly, Mass., two stepdaughters, Melissa Goggin of Beverly, Mass., and Susan Hamill of Maine; three sisters, Mary Nelson of Twin Falls, Idaho, Carol Hypes of Greeley, Colo., and Peggy Turner of Lubbock, Texas; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on November 15, 2006 (download PDF).
Thomas, known as a young teacher for his ability to communicate mathematical concepts, was hired in 1951 by publisher Addison-Wesley to revise their then-standard, widely used calculus textbook. Rather than revise, he wrote his own, a classic text that has been in use for 54 years.
At MIT, Thomas came to be regarded as an outstanding teacher, "one of the best teachers the department has ever had," according to then Department Head Ted Martin. Not only did he teach a wide variety of subjects, but he also willingly took on new courses. Administratively, he served as executive officer of the department for ten years and as graduate registration officer from 1962-67.
Thomas was born Jan. 11, 1914, in Boise, Idaho. His mother died in the influenza pandemic in 1919, and young George grew up in sometimes difficult circumstances. At one point he lived in a tent with his father and stepmother. "It must have been sort of hard times, because I can remember going out with her to pick weeds of some kind along the roadside that were edible," he recalled afterward, according to his daughter, Fay Bakhru.
His father's work in a bank helped lead Thomas to discover his own fascination with numbers. After studies at Spokane University and Washington State College, which led to bachelor's and master's degrees, Thomas hoped to become a high school math teacher, but "that somehow didn't work out," as he related afterward.
During World War II, Thomas helped program the differential analyzer for the calculation of firing tables for the Navy.
After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in October 1957, Thomas was part of a national effort to improve math and science education in American schools. He also traveled to India on a Ford Foundation grant to teach Indian instructors how he and his American colleagues taught math.
Thomas worked in a shoe store for a time to save money for doctoral studies, and eventually went to Cornell, where he completed his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1940, and then came to MIT, from which he retired in 1978.
Thomas' commitment to education went well beyond MIT. From 1955-57, he served on the Board of Governors of the Mathematical Association of America, an organization devoted to mathematics, especially at the undergraduate level. He was elected its first Vice-President 1958-59. Thomas also served on the Executive Committee, Mathematics Division, of the American Society for Engineering Education from 1956-59. He was a member of the Commission on Mathematics of the College Entrance Examination Board, 1955-58, for which he co-authored monographs on mathematics, and spoke at numerous forums about teaching and high school curriculum reform. In addition to his calculus text, which had a significant impact, he was also one of the editors on a series of high school mathematics texts for Addison-Wesley Publishing.
Twice widowed, Thomas is survived by two daughters, Fay, of Glen Mills, Pa., and Jean H. Thomas of West Chester, Pa.; a son, James H. Thomas of Owls Head, Maine; a stepson, Brad Waldron of Beverly, Mass., two stepdaughters, Melissa Goggin of Beverly, Mass., and Susan Hamill of Maine; three sisters, Mary Nelson of Twin Falls, Idaho, Carol Hypes of Greeley, Colo., and Peggy Turner of Lubbock, Texas; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on November 15, 2006 (download PDF).
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 18, 2016
My Calculus professor tried to break us down but we kept rising from the ashes with Thomas' Calculus.
June 15, 2023
When it comes to navigating the challenging realm of university-level calculus, "Thomas' Calculus" has proven to be an invaluable resource. As a student who struggled with the subject, this book played a significant role in helping me comprehend the intricate concepts and excel in my calculus class. Although it may have some minor limitations, its overall effectiveness makes it a strong recommendation for anyone grappling with this complex course.
One of the standout qualities of "Thomas' Calculus" is its ability to explain calculus principles in a clear and concise manner. The authors adopt a step-by-step approach, breaking down each topic into manageable parts, which is particularly beneficial for individuals who may find calculus intimidating. The book carefully builds upon previously learned material, allowing readers to develop a solid foundation before delving into more advanced topics. By gradually increasing the difficulty level, it ensures a smooth learning curve, making it easier to comprehend and apply the concepts.
Another strength of "Thomas' Calculus" is its emphasis on real-world applications. The book goes beyond mere theoretical explanations and provides numerous examples and problems that demonstrate how calculus is used in various fields. This practical approach not only aids in understanding the relevance of the subject but also helps connect the dots between theory and practice, enhancing the overall learning experience.
However, one aspect that could be improved upon is the number of practice problems. While the book does offer a decent selection of exercises at the end of each chapter, I found myself craving more opportunities to apply the concepts I had learned. Fortunately, with the advent of online resources, this limitation can be easily overcome by searching for additional practice problems on the internet. Nonetheless, it would have been more convenient to have an extensive collection within the book itself.
In conclusion, "Thomas' Calculus" is an exceptional resource that can significantly assist students struggling with university-level calculus. Its clear explanations, comprehensive coverage of topics, and practical examples make it an ideal companion for both beginners and those seeking a deeper understanding of calculus. Although the book could benefit from a larger number of practice problems, this issue is easily remedied by turning to online resources. If you are looking for a reliable guide to navigate your way through the complexities of calculus, I highly recommend "Thomas' Calculus" to help you succeed in your studies.
One of the standout qualities of "Thomas' Calculus" is its ability to explain calculus principles in a clear and concise manner. The authors adopt a step-by-step approach, breaking down each topic into manageable parts, which is particularly beneficial for individuals who may find calculus intimidating. The book carefully builds upon previously learned material, allowing readers to develop a solid foundation before delving into more advanced topics. By gradually increasing the difficulty level, it ensures a smooth learning curve, making it easier to comprehend and apply the concepts.
Another strength of "Thomas' Calculus" is its emphasis on real-world applications. The book goes beyond mere theoretical explanations and provides numerous examples and problems that demonstrate how calculus is used in various fields. This practical approach not only aids in understanding the relevance of the subject but also helps connect the dots between theory and practice, enhancing the overall learning experience.
However, one aspect that could be improved upon is the number of practice problems. While the book does offer a decent selection of exercises at the end of each chapter, I found myself craving more opportunities to apply the concepts I had learned. Fortunately, with the advent of online resources, this limitation can be easily overcome by searching for additional practice problems on the internet. Nonetheless, it would have been more convenient to have an extensive collection within the book itself.
In conclusion, "Thomas' Calculus" is an exceptional resource that can significantly assist students struggling with university-level calculus. Its clear explanations, comprehensive coverage of topics, and practical examples make it an ideal companion for both beginners and those seeking a deeper understanding of calculus. Although the book could benefit from a larger number of practice problems, this issue is easily remedied by turning to online resources. If you are looking for a reliable guide to navigate your way through the complexities of calculus, I highly recommend "Thomas' Calculus" to help you succeed in your studies.
July 14, 2018
Easy to read. I had to study a refresher for calculus because of a validation exam. This one didn't fail and so did I.
November 2, 2023
Leí ciertos capítulos del libro para comprender mejor la teoría de la Asignatura de Matemáticas II del Grado en Ingeniería Electrónica, Robótica y Mecatrónica de la Universidad de Sevilla.
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June 10, 2018IS the access code to mymathlab new?
March 8, 2020
Very useful book to learn calculus, vector calculus and multi variable calculus.
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November 3, 2017reading book
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews