Description: Written by three gifted teachers, this book provides humorous and highly readable explanations of the key topics of second and third semester calculus--such as sequences and series, polar coordinates and multivariable calculus--without the technical details and fine print that would be found in a formal text. 80 illustrations.
Brief description:
Colin Adams is the Thomas T. Read Professor of Mathematics at Williams College, where he has taught since 1985. He has produced a number of books that make mathematics more accessible and relatable, including How to Ace Calculus and its sequel, How to Ace the Rest of Calculus; Riot at the Calc Exam and other Mathematically Bent Stories; and Zombies & Calculus. Colin co-wrote and appears in the videos "The Great Pi vs. E Debate" and "Derivative vs. Integral: the Final Smackdown."
Adams received his undergraduate degree from MIT and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He had held various grants for research in the area of knot theory and low-dimensional topology and has published numerous research articles. He received the Haimo National Distinguished Teaching Award from the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) in 1998, and the Robert Foster Cherry Teaching Award in 2003. Adams also served as MAA Polya Lecturer (1998-2000), and as Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer (2000-2002).Review Quotes:
"What a great book! It's short, it's funny, and it reveals the secrets of the calculus guild. What more could you want?"
--Fernando Gouvea, Editor, MAA Reviews
--Mikhail Chkhenkeli, Williams College "This book has many nice examples and entertaining explanations of the basic concepts in Calculus. It would be a good resource book to add a little spice and humor to your lectures."
--Mathematical Association of America