Calculus DeMYSTiFieD, Second Edition

I have ordered hundreds of books from Amazon and never written a review. But this text was sooooo bad that I felt compelled. The inadequacies are extensive. After introducing a concept and giving a few examples the next section is usually: "You try it." One or two problems them follow. The problem is that there are no answers! So how do I know if I did it correctly. But most frustrating is the downright errors in the answers to the test questions! I'll give just one example (I could probably give 20 and I am only 1/3 of the way thru the book. After the section describing how to use the derivative to assist with drawing the graph of a function, the following test question appears: 'Sketch the graph of the function g(x) = xcos(x). Show maxima and minima." To determine the maxima and minima one takes the derivative of g(x) or g'(x) = cos(x) - xsin(x). That function is then set equal to 0 and then one proceeds to solve for x. Good luck. So after several frustrating minutes after which I conclude that either I am dense or the problem is unsolvable I turn to the back of the book for the 'answer'. The answer given: g'(x) = sin(x) + xcos(x). WRONG. But then the author goes on to say that the roots of this derivative can only be determined using a computer! In other words, 1) his calculations are correct, and 2) the problem as stated in the test is not solvable! This occurs repeatedly. This author probably knows calculus given his credentials. I suspect he made up a bunch of test questions and then gave them to a graduate student to work out the answers, and never checked his work. That graduate student probably should be in the Political Science department. As another example a test question asks for the largest cylinder that can be contained in a sphere of radius 5. The answer to that question in the back of the book computes the largest cylinder that can be contained in a cone! And when you try to follow the solution to that question you realize that insufficient information on the cone is provided! If you own it, burn it. If a 'friend' offers it to you for free, consider that individual no longer your friend.

The writer of this book is more concerned with showing off that he likes Trigonometry than explaining calculus. I know trig has a lot to do with calc, but this writer goes overboard, so if you don't have a unit circle handy, this book is rendered totally useless. Other than, the author skips many steps when explaining answers. He kind of assumes you already know calculus. Demystified is usually one of the best and they should have some one else rewrite this guide.

The eTextbook edition displays the Examples, Solutions, and Math Notes out of order versus the printed edition. This makes those common sections difficult to understand. The printed edition is much easier to understand given this problem.

The book was in excellent shape!! AND it came two days before scheduled delivery date! Awesome!!! Thank you!!!

Very helpful with explaining calculus in a more simplified manner.

Good!

It does NOT demystify anything for me. It introduces new notation, new concepts and DOES NOT explain them. eg, it introduces the Derivative in 1 line without any explanation - somehow Lim x-> 0 (f(c+h)-f(c))/h relates to f(x)=x^2+x because in 2 lines it shows that because a limit can be calculated for the former at a value means that a derivative of the latter can be found with the same value. Sorry, not demystified here - how does the former even relate to the latter? An explanation of that would demystify.

The number of typos makes this text extremely frustrating use.

I used this book to learn calculus before starting university. While providing a concise introduction and many real-world examples, this is not an advanced text but is suitable for those who need to learn or brush up on their calculus.

I bought this book on the strength of two other titles in the Demystified series, Precalculus and College Algebra, both written by Rhonda Huettenmeuller, which were excellent. Unfortunately, as the next logical step up from these two predecessor texts, Calculus Demystified is a disaster. There couldn't be a worse fit between the intent of this "making it simple" self-study guide, and the author they chose to write it. From the very first chapter you feel like you are walking in half-way through the semester of some intimidating math class -- there is sooo much that has been covered already that you missed, but are expected to know. Why they didn't just stick with Rhonda Huettenmeuller for this one is the real mystery.

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