Calculus Made Easy (calculusmadeeasy.org)

Article summary

The article is an introduction to the book 'Calculus Made Easy' written by Silvanus P. Thompson in 1910. The author aims to make calculus accessible to a wider audience by presenting the subject in a clear and simple manner. The book starts by criticizing the way calculus is typically taught, with a focus on difficult and tedious methods. The author promises to present the easy parts of calculus, making it easier for readers to learn.

Main themes

• Calculus education
• Mathematics accessibility
• Learning strategies
• Book recommendations
• Mathematical rigor
• Infinitesimals vs limits

What commenters say

• The book 'Calculus Made Easy' is a valuable resource for learning calculus, especially for those who struggle with traditional teaching methods.
• Some commenters find the book's writing style to be annoyingly formal and not easy to follow, despite its intended accessibility.
• Infinitesimals can be a useful and intuitive way to understand calculus, but others argue that they lack rigor and are less reliable than limits.
• Connecting calculus to real-world applications, such as physics, can make the subject more engaging and easier to understand.
• Different learning strategies, such as taking breaks and being okay with boredom, can be helpful for learning math and calculus.
• Some commenters prefer a more rigorous and formal approach to calculus, using epsilon-delta proofs and limits, while others find this approach cumbersome and difficult to follow.
• The book's approach to calculus is not suitable for everyone, and some commenters prefer other resources, such as Gilbert Strang's 'Intro to Linear Algebra', for learning math and calculus.
• The use of geometric arguments and infinitesimals can provide a deeper understanding of calculus concepts, such as the product rule, but may not be suitable for all learners.