The Complete Idiot's Guide to Calculus

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Cast off the curse of calculus!

Students no longer have anything to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Calculus, Second Edition , is here. Like its predecessor, it was created with an audience of students working toward a non-science related degree in mind. A non-intimidating, easy-to-understand textbook companion, this new edition has more explanatory graphs and illustrations and double the number of practice problems.
• First edition of this book has sold more copies than any of the other 70+ books on the subject
• Twice as many practice problems in this second edition
• More college students are now required to take calculus in college than ever before
• Author is an award-winning calculus teacher praised for his ability to make this topic fun and approachable
• His website, calculus-help.com, reaches thousands of students every month

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1,2002

About the author

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The author has written a bunch of books about math (like The Complete Idiot's Guide to Precalculus, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Calculus (Second Edition), and The Humongous Book of Calculus Problems).

His website, www.calculus-help.com, hosts over a thousand unique visitors a day, even though it features an unflattering animated graphic of him dancing at his wedding.

(from the back of one of his books)


Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 12 votes)
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12 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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If you slept all the way through calculus class during your schoolday, then this book is for you.

It is very easy to follow and do. The book even comes with a 'foreword' by 'Winnie' (Danica McKellar) from the \"Wonder Years\" fame. Her presence adds a touch of familiarity and credibility to the content.

As I hold this book in my hands, I can't help but wonder to whom I should bequeath it before I die. It could be that struggling student who is just like I was back then, or perhaps someone who has always had an interest in calculus but never had the right resource to guide them.

This book has the potential to make a real difference in someone's understanding and appreciation of this complex subject. I hope that whoever eventually receives it will make the most of it and not let it gather dust on a shelf.
July 15,2025
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It was an outstanding book.

Learning calculus with this one was remarkably easy (or, in my situation, at least a portion of it).

Now you can officially bid farewell to any apprehensions regarding the intimidating symbolism, the intricate vocabulary, and the challenging differentials - as this book will ensure that you overcome them.

However, my sole issue was that it lacked sufficient humor.

Of course, it had a touch of humor, but truly, we don't require references to the revolting excretory habits of bugs. Seriously!

Nonetheless, based on my personal experience, this is a book worth reading!

It provides a great foundation for understanding calculus and helps to demystify its more complex aspects.

Despite the minor drawback of not being overly funny, the valuable content it offers makes it a must-read for anyone interested in learning calculus.

July 15,2025
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It's a great refresher.

Over the past decade, being out of practice has left many things behind me.

It seems that everything is littered with dad jokes, which are everywhere. These dad jokes, although sometimes a bit cheesy, have a certain charm. They can bring a smile to our faces and lighten the mood.

Maybe it's because they are so unexpected and often play on words or common situations.

In a way, they are like little treasures that we can discover and enjoy in our daily lives.

Despite being out of practice for so long, these dad jokes have managed to stay with me and continue to amuse me.

They are a reminder that even in the simplest of things, there can be joy and laughter.

So, the next time you hear a dad joke, don't be too quick to roll your eyes.

Instead, take a moment to appreciate the humor and enjoy the moment.

After all, life is too short not to have a good laugh now and then.

July 15,2025
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This approach truly aided me in learning calculus with remarkable speed.

It turns out that calculus doesn't have to be a dull and uninteresting subject. In fact, it can be quite engaging and fascinating.

If you initially struggled to understand calculus or didn't quite "get it" the first time around, this method is extremely beneficial.

It offers a fresh perspective and a more intuitive way of approaching the concepts.

By using this particular technique, I was able to grasp the fundamental principles of calculus more easily and build a solid foundation for further learning.

It has opened up a whole new world of mathematical understanding for me and has made me realize that calculus can be both enjoyable and useful in many aspects of life.

I highly recommend it to anyone who is having difficulty with calculus or simply wants to enhance their understanding of this important branch of mathematics.
July 15,2025
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I truly had a great fondness for this book. It played a significant role in assisting me to retrieve some of the knowledge that I had unfortunately lost.

This is an extremely good book. If you are currently enrolled in a Calculus course and are seeking more in-depth explanations, or if you have already completed that course and desire a refresher, then this book is an excellent choice.

It offers detailed and comprehensive coverage of the subject matter, presenting complex concepts in a clear and understandable manner. The author's approach is engaging and accessible, making it suitable for students of all levels.

Whether you are a beginner looking to build a solid foundation or an advanced learner aiming to enhance your understanding, this book has something to offer. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Calculus.
July 15,2025
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This book is truly remarkable.

It is very concise, making it easily accessible to readers.

The explanations provided within its pages are extremely well-done.

It offers a very quick and efficient way for anyone to grasp the often complex concepts of calculus.

Whether you are a student struggling to understand the subject or someone simply interested in learning more about calculus, this book is an excellent resource.

It simplifies the concepts and presents them in a way that is easy to understand and remember.

With its clear and straightforward approach, it allows you to quickly gain a solid understanding of calculus and apply it to various problems and situations.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to learn about calculus in a short amount of time.
July 15,2025
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Three years ago, I obtained this particular book. However, I was compelled to abandon it almost immediately

because I discovered that it was far too challenging for my level of understanding at that time. The concepts presented seemed to be beyond my reach, and I simply could not make sense of them

despite my best efforts.

Fast forward to the present day, and I am now pursuing an astronomy degree. To my great surprise and satisfaction, I have found that I understand calculus to a level that exceeds the scope of this very book

even though I haven't touched it in years. It's truly remarkable how much I have learned and grown in the intervening time.

So, who's the complete idiot now, huh?! It's clear that my hard work and dedication have paid off, and I am now in a much better position to appreciate and understand the complex ideas presented in this book

than I was three years ago. I look forward to finally delving into it and seeing what new insights and knowledge I can gain.
July 15,2025
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Well, I guess I must be dumber than all the complete idiots this book was meant for.

I have always had a penchant for math classes during my high school and college days. However, my love for math took a hit when I reached the second semester of calculus. I really struggled and just managed to scrape through with a passing grade. Fast forward about 45 years, and I decided to take on the challenge of truly learning this subject. I was determined to take my time and really soak up the material. I had high hopes that this particular book would be the one to finally help me understand those mathematical concepts that had eluded me for all these years.

Alas, it was a case of déjà vu all over again. I did quite well with the first half of the book which covered pre-calculus principles and differential calculus. But as soon as it delved into the more profound constructs, methods, and applications of integration, with its tricky squiggly lines and "dy/dx" mumbo jumbo, I found myself just as lost as I was 45 years ago. Oh well, at least I tried.

The book itself was actually quite good. It was written in a very folksy and humorous style, with excellent examples and explanations of solutions. But unfortunately, for me, it just didn't bring about the magical enlightenment that I was so desperately hoping for.

Maybe I'm just not cut out for advanced math. But I'll keep trying, because you never know when that "aha" moment might finally come.
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