Worst Multi-Variable Calc Book I've Encountered
Steer clear of this one. It is more of a history of math then it is a calculus book. The book is nearly 700 pages long and more than 50% is useless information.
The text is incomprehensible and long-winded and reads extremely slow.
The notation is confusing and idiotic.
The examples are almost non-existent and when you do come across them they are presented poorly leaving you ill-prepared for the HW.
The formulas are presented in such a way that you, the student, are expected to just use a formula for each type of situation. No actual understanding is required.
For example:
Supose you have a particle traveling along a path r(t) = and at point t = 1 a particle breaks off tangent to the path. Find location of the particle at t = 3.
In order to do this problem you are supposed to just use a formula the book gives you for this type of situation, no real understanding how or why the formula works is required. Just plug n' play.
My point is: perhaps instead of giving case by case formulas a better understanding of Multi can be gained from actually LEARNING how to apply calc concepts to situations.
So instead of using a formula to find the location of the particle it would be better for the student to realize the following about this problem:
1.) They need the point at which the particle breaks from the path.
2.) They now want the velocity of the particle along its new path. This is the derivative of r(t).
3) We now have a point, and a direction and speed. So now we can create a new path r1(t) for the particle, and then determine it's location at any time t along its new path.
But no, explaining concepts such as these are below the concerns of the authors. Instead, they would rather waste your time with a six page biography of Newtons early childhood.
If you are looking for a good Calculus book I'd recommend:
JAMES STEWART, MULTI VARIABLE CALCULUS
