<p>I would like to self-teach myself the material for AP Calculus AB/BC so I can challenge myself in 2011. I would like to know of any good books that can teach the material?</p>
<p>get the princeton review book for BC; dunno about AB sorry : (</p>
<p>Are you interested in learning calculus or just learning enough to get a 5 on the ap exam?</p>
<p>i took bc calculus online through aventalearning. It was challenging, but I finished the class and was prepared for my test. Plus, my school counted it as an AP course and weighted it. I’m not sure if you want to do it online, but I learned a lot of calculus, and I also learned a thing or two about time management</p>
<p>@Aceuniverse: technically, you can get a 5 without knowing any “calculus” just know the standard problem types and questions that are common on the exam</p>
<p>Both, I want to learn the subject and get a 5.</p>
<p>Well, a book like Calculus by Michael Spivak or Calculus Vol. 1 by Tom Apostol will teach you calculus in depth, but it will be very difficult. A book like Princeton review will be more than enough for you to learn the math necessary to get a 5. Your call.</p>
<p>You have a whole year for this right? Then try Apostol. I taught myself with Apostol in around 3 months before this exam, and it went pretty well. The last 2 weeks you might want to concentrate on exam-specific preparation though.</p>
<p>wait why can’t you just take it in school? what math class are you planning on taking in school?</p>
<p>Take it at school! I tried it, it was the only AP exam I know I failed so far (I’m taking 14 and I’m good at math!).</p>
<p>^^ Really?? Calc was the easiest AP for me (please dont jinx). I self studied BC did AB in school</p>
<p>Although, it probably is a better idea to take the class, what’s the point of self studying Calculus?</p>
<p>I definitely agree with miheonigirisan; if you do go through with self-studying calc, then I would recommend tracking down as many legitimate **practice tests **and previous exams as possible after you’ve familiarized yourself with basic concepts. Repetition will help you, and the problems on the AP test- especially the free response questions- follow easily determinable patterns which turn up year after year.</p>
<p>We used the “Fast Track to a 5” review series, which was great for simplifying definitions but provided inadequate examples. I think it might actually be best to bite the bullet, spend a little extra money, and purchase an actual textbook (even a used one) which would provide more comprehensive problems and solutions. Houghton-Mifflin’s “Calculus of a Single Variable: Seventh Edition” was truly excellent this year.</p>
<p>That said…good luck. You’re going to need it, especially if this is a completely independent endeavor.</p>
<p>[MIT</a> OpenCourseWare | Supplemental Resources | RES.18-001 Calculus Online Textbook, Spring 2005 | Textbook](<a href=“http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/resources/RES-18-001Spring-2005/Textbook/index.htm]MIT”>http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/resources/RES-18-001Spring-2005/Textbook/index.htm)
[Elementary</a> Calculus](<a href=“http://www.math.wisc.edu/~keisler/calc.html]Elementary”>Elementary Calculus)</p>
<p>“self-teach myself”</p>
<p>^ If only it were an AP English Lang self-study thread.</p>
<p>If you are motived I think the Stewart book will do</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Calculus: Concepts and Contexts (9780534410032): James Stewart: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Concepts-Contexts-James-Stewart/dp/0534410030]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Concepts-Contexts-James-Stewart/dp/0534410030)</p>
<p>PM me, there are some files I could send you</p>
<p>Stewart is excellent if you’re mostly concerned with getting a 5, however Apostle is the best if you wish to actually gain an understanding of calculus.</p>
<p>You’re screwed. I’m sorry but self-study for Calculus - ESPECIALLY BC - is near impossible. Take the class and save yourself some stress.</p>
<p>I personally recommend Princeton Review. My teacher bought a dozen of these for our class, and the book is very good.</p>
<p>In addition, somebody mentioned the MIT OpenCourseWare textbook. While I did not use this textbook, I did self-study by watching the Fall 2007 lectures (which are on their website and youtube). I had to do this because my class was lagging behind badly, as students (especially some girls who should have never been in the class) did everything they could to avoid moving on with the class. The videos were pretty good in my opinion. However, nothing compares to having someone teach or at least mentor you, and this is specially true in math.</p>