ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Mathematical Methods CAS => Topic started by: SS1314 on September 17, 2019, 03:03:27 pm
-
Hello!
I am currently doing Maths Methods 1/2 in year 10. I have completed the calculus topic for the subject and I have around 80% understanding of the topic, however I want a 100% understanding of the topic. What books would you guys recommend that I read?
I am in search for more novel-like books rather than normal textbooks with exercises (however suggestions for textbooks would be fine as well)
-
It sounds like you want a book which approaches the topic in a more intuitive way, and ties together the key concepts / theoretical aspects, rather than just more exercises to sharpen your technique.
Oscar Fernandez has a couple of nice books you might like. One is called "Everyday Calculus" and illustrates calculus concepts in real world contexts (and not the contrived "real-world" contexts found in textbook questions). A more recent one is "Calculus Simplified" which is a very concise version of the key calculus concepts in Methods (and a little bit of Spec), although this one is more textbook-y, containing worked examples and exercises. Both are accessible to good VCE maths students.
-
It sounds like you want a book which approaches the topic in a more intuitive way, and ties together the key concepts / theoretical aspects, rather than just more exercises to sharpen your technique.
Oscar Fernandez has a couple of nice books you might like. One is called "Everyday Calculus" and illustrates calculus concepts in real world contexts (and not the contrived "real-world" contexts found in textbook questions). A more recent one is "Calculus Simplified" which is a very concise version of the key calculus concepts in Methods (and a little bit of Spec), although this one is more textbook-y, containing worked examples and exercises. Both are accessible to good VCE maths students.
What do you think of Mark Ryan's 'Calculus for Dummies' and Silvanus P. Thompson's 'Calculus Made Easy'? Right now I am indecisive of what I want to buy. Do you think these books would be a better choice than the ones that you mentioned?
-
What do you think of Mark Ryan's 'Calculus for Dummies' and Silvanus P. Thompson's 'Calculus Made Easy'? Right now I am indecisive of what I want to buy. Do you think these books would be a better choice than the ones that you mentioned?
I haven't read Ryan's book.
Thompson's book is good, but old fashioned in both terminology and pedagogy. It's regarded as a classic for good reason, but it's something to read after you've looked at more modern presentations. Fernandez is an improvement with nice visual aids and lots of signposting.
I can also recommend 3Blue1Brown's video series called "Essence of calculus" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYO_jab_esuFRV4b17AJtAw/videos
-
Honestly I would just watch Khan Academy.
-
"Calculus Made Easy" probably the way to go imo I didn't find it too bad reading it in the first year I really started on any proper calc. It really does not assume any knowledge so starts from scratch but then goes deeper than a high school course will.
Also apparently the author of this book died in 1916 so it is within the public domain so should be able to be found online.
-
Hello!
I am currently doing Maths Methods 1/2 in year 10. I have completed the calculus topic for the subject and I have around 80% understanding of the topic, however I want a 100% understanding of the topic. What books would you guys recommend that I read?
I am in search for more novel-like books rather than normal textbooks with exercises (however suggestions for textbooks would be fine as well)
Hey,
I'm also a year 10 doing Methods. I personally don't find novel-like textbooks helpful. I do a lot of questions and if I get something wrong, I ask my teacher about it (and then attempt similar questions to that)
-
Hey,
I'm also a year 10 doing Methods. I personally don't find novel-like textbooks helpful. I do a lot of questions and if I get something wrong, I ask my teacher about it (and then attempt similar questions to that)
I am just going to give one book a shot. I just need to broaden my understanding of the topic so it is easier to tackle tough worded-problems.
-
I am just going to give one book a shot. I just need to broaden my understanding of the topic so it is easier to tackle tough worded-problems.
Oh right
I'm not sure if u want a book to strengthen ur basics or to help u tackle more difficult questions since I did find a few books useful which are specifically designed for VCE Methods 3/4 instead of 1/2 (PM for info)
Good luck! Wishing the best
-
Oh right
I'm not sure if u want a book to strengthen ur basics or to help u tackle more difficult questions since I did find a few books useful which are specifically designed for VCE Methods 3/4 instead of 1/2 (PM for info)
Good luck! Wishing the best
If you could post the titles of the books here, we too can also look them up and use them if they are of use to us too :)