Calculus for the Practical Man

by J.E. Thompson

A step-by-step guide to calculus featuring practice questions and exercises to help people improve their understanding of the mathematical study of change. First published in 1945, this edition of J. E. Thompson's Calculus for the Practical Man is the ideal simple guide for those who are studying physics or mathematical courses at university, or for those who wish to brush up on the calculus they learnt while in higher education. Each chapter features illustrated examples of solved problems, and there are practice exercises for the reader to try at the end of each section. The contents of this volume - Fundamental Ideas. Rates and Differentials - Functions and Derivatives - Differentials of Algebraic Functions - Use of Rates and Differentials in Solving Problems - Differentials of Trigonometric Functions - Velocity, Acceleration and Derivatives - Interpretation of Functions and Derivatives by Means of Graphs - Maximum and Minimum Values - Problems in Maxima and Minima - Differentials of Logarithmic and Exponential Functions

Genres: Mathematics, Science, Calculus, Stem, Nonfiction, Textbooks

364 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2007

About the author

James Edgar Thompson

Reviews

[Chayan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for a thorough review of high school calculus. Specifically liked the last bonus chapter The natural law of growth and the number e, where it takes an interesting take on the exponential growth and its relationship with logarithms, hyperbolic functions and pi.

Not 5 star, because a couple of topics were not substantiated very well. Those topics, however, can easily be argued to be beyond the scope of the book, but in that case I felt the proof should have been completely left out instead of having provided a flimsy one.

Nevertheless, it was a pretty interesting read.

[Vikas Khaitan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have wanted to brush up on my high-school calculus for a long time and kept trying several books, but was finding it difficult to grasp the basics as they are always presented in a confusing manner. But once I started reading this book published in 1945, I could not really keep it down, as it explained the very basics in a step-by-step method. I enjoyed and relished it like a novel for two weeks, with a very easy to read language usage for a book on calculus. I highly recommend this book if you find calculus a bit difficult to understand. I think, the best aspect of the book are the various illustrated solved examples within each chapter, which make the concepts really understandable. I did not need to do the end of the chapter exercises, but if you are in high school, then I would recommend you practice the questions as well. One of the best books I have read in a long time.

[Ugur Gunduz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I would have read this book before I took Math 151 course in the Middle East Technical University.

[glenn merrell anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible

Looks like each page was a poor photocooy. No dictionary, typeface, or other kindle features. Even the English grammar and spelling was erratic. I searched in vain for an opportunity to cancel as purchased by mistake.

[Leto]

Does anyone have the book in the EU and willing to sell?

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok-ish. Pre-limits which makes it difficult to apply to modern calculus

[Calvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the series, but I guess that is because I like calculus. The last chapter had some interesting content and overall this is an interesting approach to calculus.

[Jason Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The content of this book contains material that is capable of restructuring your mind in profound ways. Through the methods of calculus, one is able to consider natural phenomenon as a sequence of instantaneous moments. Thompson does an exquisite job of articulating the power of calculus in a way any person could appreciate.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent calculus book for practical use.