<p>I'm taking Pre-calc and Trigonometry, and I would like to get a grasp of calc before heading off to college. What would be a good book to get? I thought a textbook would be the best route, but some are telling me calculus for dummies. What do you think is the best for first learning calc?</p>
<p>Erm... get a textbook. You can back it up w/ sparknotes or something like that if you need it. If you're that motivated, it shouldn't be too hard.</p>
<p>Quick Calculus by Kleppner and Ramsey</p>
<p>I have learned it from the Princeton Review Book. They seriously tell you how to do almost everything. They tell you, if you dont know what to do, find the derive(s) and set them = 0. This solves most economics questions. The PR book covers everything, and even goes into series, but not that deeply. Its easy to understand and then there are practice test with answer keys+explanations in the back.</p>
<p>Honestly, math is one of those subjects that is better to learn in a class. If you really want to get ahead, what about a summer community college class? If you end up doing well, you could transfer the credits in, and if not, then you have a head start.</p>
<p>But, for in-depth learning, a textbookid better than sparknotes or the like. I don't have one to suggest because both the ones I had really sucked. If you look on amazon.com, you can ready reviews of what people think.</p>
<p>I actually think math is one of the easier subjects to learn independently, if you're reasonably good at independent study.</p>
<p>Get a textbook (ask a college or your high school for a good one), a good course syllabus, and the dummies book. </p>
<p>That is if you actually want to learn it. If you just want an overview so that you won't feel lost in college, just the dummies book would be fine, I would think.</p>
<p>Forget self learning calculus, get a head start on discrete math. In most places it is a required course, and it is so much more interesting and confusing than Calc.</p>
<p>Use Stewart.</p>
<p>calculus for dummies??? Even a Clep preparation book may help you learn it expeditiously.</p>
<p>I recommend "Calculus for Dummies". The Princeton Review does an awesome job as well. Try getting a friend to do the independent calculus route with you so you guys can support each other when you find a question that you can't solve.</p>
<p>There is this computer product called Math Advantage. It comes with CDs for 6 types of math including Calculus, Trigonometry, Geometry, and others. It was very helpful to me. And it helped me to succeed in my Advanced Mathematics class. </p>
<p>If you would want to learn more about this product you can PM me. So I can get the exact name.</p>