Help me to NOT fail calculus

<p>I would look at Calculus made Easy by Sylvanus P. Thompson. A timeless classic guide for the perplexed recently re-edited by Martin Gardiner. The motto and inspiration of the book is an ancient Simian proverb 'what one monkey can do another can'. Calculus is difficult because most teachers and textbooks make even the easy bits seem hard. No amount of mechanically plugging in a calculator is going to do anything for you if you have no idea of what a rate of change even is. Do yourself a favour. Look at Thompson. The book has been around for nearly a hundred years and is still in print. Gardiner is perhaps the most prominent author on mathematical puzzles in America.</p>

<p>thanks nalcon</p>

<p>The solution manual really helps. If your teacher has a solved solution manual for your text, you really should borrow it after the homework had been graded. I really struggled when I first learned calculus as well...I think it's one of those courses that slaps you in the face in the first few months and gradually gets better. Trust me -- when you get to integrals, it'll be a lot better and what you're now learning about derivatives and limits will start to make sense.</p>

<p>As for the chain rule, just imagine that you are unwrapping a multi-layered present. Simply take the derivative of each layer, and string them all together.</p>

<p>I studied the chain rule last night- and it finally clicked. :) My teacher has a solution guide, so I'm going to start looking at it 2-3 times a week (that's the max. because I only have study halls on certain days) :D</p>

<p>i can help you with the chain rule if you need help, im in calc ab too but i understand the chain rule really well cause we already tested on it.</p>

<p>i can help u with calc. I'm in multivariable. I think the best way is intense practice. I think the key to everything is intense practice using the correct text.</p>