Schaum's Outline of Calculus, 5ed: Schaum's Outline of Calc, 5ed (Schaum's Outline Series),   ISBN:9780071508612

Customer Rating: 

I have been introduced to "Schaum's Outlines" by a University Professor who uses them for his classes. They provide excellent practice exercises to help the student who may be struggling in an area. The answers are provided in the back and step by step instructions accompany the problems.

Customer Rating: 

If you know a little calculus, have taken it a while back or need to supplement your text, this book is very helpful. Plenty of problems to go through. Very helpful when trying to review for exams or GRE math subject test. If you have never taken any calculus, the explanations here are in outline form and will not help you understand much. This book covers Calc 1-2-3 in most undergrad requirements. If you are wanting to learn theory, there is almost none.

Customer Rating: 

James Stewart's calculus book does not give enough examples so this book really helped me.

Customer Rating: 

This book's primary value is as a source of solved calculus problems. Although a concept discussion precedes each set of solved and supplemental problems, these discussions are extremely short, sometimes just a brief paragraph before problems are presented. The primary value of these discussions will be as a concise review for those already familiar with the areas covered.

Each of the fifty-nine chapters includes: 1) brief concepts discussions, 2) solved problems with fully-worked solutions, and 3) supplementary problems. The solved problems are excellent, providing a wide and comprehensive coverage of undergraduate calculus. However, the supplementary problems only provide answers, not fully worked solutions. Thus, readers who do not get matching answers may find it difficult to determine how the problem should be solved, Even if correct answers are obtained readers cannot be certain they approached the problem solution in the most appropriate manner. Thus, the supplemental problems provide little additional value beyond the traditional odd-numbered problems in typical class texts, for which answers without detailed solution steps are usually provided.

As with some other books of calculus problems, there are deficiencies in the solution approach to word problems involving dimensions. For example, in Chapter 20 although dimensions are given in the problem statements, the authors change to 'pure numbers' during the problem solution phase, leaving off dimensions until the final solution. This means there's no check that dimensions are being properly used during the problem solving process. The use of dimensionless numbers can make work 'cleaner', but it may also mask wrong answers. It always means that an additional check on the validity of a solution is missing. Also, as is common with many paperback review books, the paper appears to be low quality; some of my Schaum's editions less than a decade old are already starting to brown.

If your need is for first year calculus, you may also want to look at 'AP Calculus' preparation books. These typically have somewhat more detailed discussions, as well as fully-worked solutions to all problems.

Considering the relatively minor changes in this edition compared to the previous fourth edition, it may be worth considering that edition as an option, if you can obtain it at significantly reduced cost.

In summary, this edition is a good source of solved calculus problems at a quite reasonable price, with only some minor deficiencies and omissions.

Customer Rating: 

As a math major and tutor I enjoyed this book and found it helpful when I needed supplemental exercises that were already worked out. For concepts I prefer "The Calculus Lifesaver". Another book worth mentioning is "The Humongous Book of Calculus Problems". Both are excellent books that explain some of the why's behind the problems. Of course there is no replacing a good teacher or tutor. The books are just for reinforcement and to give you problems to work.