<p>I am currently taking Calculus and I am struggling. I actually am not an Engineering Major but thought this would be a great place to post to get some advice to well in Calculus. I actually just got a very difficult test and I know I didn't do well at all. What are some resources to do well in the course. I know Khan Academy is great. Also, would about books? I know there is a lot of Calculus ones but what are some that are the clearest and are in depth about all of Calculus 1. I am really going to advice and resources to do well.</p>
<p>Without knowing any of your exact struggle details I will try and offer a few suggestions.</p>
<p>Practice a lot of problems - I know this sucks but it is the only way for most to learn calculus well enough to get a decent grade in the class.</p>
<p>Determine if it is the actual calculus that is the problem or if it is the algebra/trig. Many of the people I knew while going through my calculus sequence had major struggles with algebra. Weak in algebra/trig will lead to major issues going through calculus.</p>
<p>In all honesty, nothing found in books cant be found online. I wouldn’t spend money on books. Khan academy is the best, but I understand he doesn’t cover “exactly” what you are doing in class. Youtube people working problems if you are stuck.</p>
<p>Jawzzy has really good advice, my Calculus teacher even says that the majority of time when people do bad on the tests its that they fudged up the algebra/trig not that they don’t understand the concepts.</p>
<p>Sometimes its that people don’t understand the concepts but that’s typically because they don’t read the book or F off in class</p>
<p>If it’s a few particular areas you’re struggling with, I would try and talk to the professor, TA, or find a friend who can help you. This is the best option since they can tailor their explanations around what you know or don’t know.</p>
<p>If it’s more than just a few areas and you feel like you’re really far behind, I would probably avoid your class textbook (they usually don’t explain things well for undergrads who have never seen the stuff before). Instead, you might try finding an easier book like Calculus for Dummies ($11.61 right now on Amazon), which I’m sure does a much better job describing, step-by-step certain concepts. Read it through and do some practice problems. Keep in mind that these books are likely not going to have all of the material that is covered in a college textbook… but they usually cover the fundamentals quite well.</p>
<p>Also, Kahn Academy is great if you know what you’re looking for… but some people don’t always know what to look for, which can make his huge selection of videos a bit daunting to search through. He does cover topics really well though and with great clarity. And it’s free.</p>
<p>I actually took Pre-Calculus in high school and got an A. Then, I took it in college and excelled. I currently really enjoy algebra. I’m not as good with trigonometry. I understood limits, continuity, but not as much derivatives. I think it was the concepts. Also, it was hard because I really struggle with proofs like using the squeeze theorem, intermediate value theorem, delta and epsilon, and proving continuity. I am good with the proofs where you start with one and use the identities and know what you are trying to get to.</p>
<p>I’m not really sure how you can improve your calculus. I know that whenever you get your test, be sure to PRACTICE on the one you missed and keep trying til you get the answer. Ask your friend if they got it right and copy it down the correct steps. It’s most likely that the next test or definitely in the FINALS, you’ll see it again. </p>
<p>Don’t know how far you’re in, but this should come in handy for derivatives etc. <a href=“http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/pdf/Calculus_Cheat_Sheet_All.pdf[/url]”>http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/pdf/Calculus_Cheat_Sheet_All.pdf</a></p>
<p>Khan’s videos are great, but he doesn’t have enough calc content out there for me to consider him the go-to. </p>
<p>I have been getting some mileage out of MIT Open Course Ware, lately:</p>
<p>[Single</a> Variable Calculus | Mathematics | MIT OpenCourseWare](<a href=“http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-01sc-single-variable-calculus-fall-2010/]Single”>Single Variable Calculus | Mathematics | MIT OpenCourseWare)</p>