Calculus With Analytic Geometry by George F Simmons

Calculus With Analytic Geometry

Features

Cover Type: Hard Cover with 880 pages

Published by: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math; Second edition October 1, 1996

Written in: English

ISBN 10 Number: 0070576424

ISBN 13 Number: 978-0070576421

Book Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 1.6 inches

Weighs: 3.8 pounds

Product Description
Written by acclaimed author and mathematician George Simmons, this revision is designed for the calculus course offered in two and four year colleges and universities. It takes an intuitive approach to calculus and focuses on the application of methods to real-world problems. Throughout the text, calculus is treated as a problem solving science of immense capability.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Calculus With Analytic Geometry (Hardcover) I had the misfortune of teaching from this text a couple of years ago (1997). The book has many problems. First, Simmons introduces the derivative before presenting the limit operation. Now, some may call this motivation, but I believe it is confusing. Is it standard practice to teach division before addition? Since the derivative is defined in terms of the limit process, he introduces two new principles at the same time! This certainly confuses students. Second, later in the book, he says that INT(1/x) dx = ln x, and makes mention that the student must remember that if x assumes negative values, then the integral is ln (-x). Simmons further says that he omits using ln (ABS (x)) because the student may be confused by the absolute value. In my opinion, if absolute value is confusing to the student, he/she is in the WRONG course! This treatment leads to errors further in the text. I worked a problem on the board, and got a different answer from the one in the book. Simmons integrated a non-negative function on a bounded interval and got a NEGATIVE answer! The problem was that he FORGOT about that pesky negative sign that he tells the students to remember. Another reviewer made mention of lack of objectivity. Yes, Simmons spends about 15% of his time patting himself on the back about how his method/book is better than all of the other treatments currently available. All the while, giving the wrong answers, mind you. In conclusion, if you want to learn calculus, avoid Simmons like the plague! Try Larson and Hostetler for a better treatment. Comment | | (Report this)

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Price: $110.00
Updated on 6-4-2008.