I'm currently studying mechanical engineering and I had to take calc 1 through 3. I got an A in all three with this book (combined version 9th ed). There are some topics in a couple of sections that aren't explained very well and I had to teach myself online, but compared to other text books where I am lost much more often, I think this book explains the topics very well...especially the multivariable section (ch 11-15). I've seen several other calculus textbooks and this is my favorite. There will be frustrating times with any calc text book. It's never as bad as 'physics with calculus' texts at least.
Most students will have to buy whatever textbook is required for their class anyway. There's solutions to all the problems online...at least my school provided us with them.
If you're learning on your own, I'd recommend watching khan/youtube videos as you'll get better explanations there than any book and most professors.
I'd also recommend
How to Ace Calculus: The Streetwise Guide
and
How to Ace the Rest of Calculus: The Streetwise Guide, Including Multi-Variable Calculus
no matter which way you learn. Those two books are entertaining and great supplements.

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Calculus: Early Transcendentals Hardcover – 6 November 2008
There is a newer edition of this item:
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Purchase options and add-ons
The ninth edition continues to provide engineers with an accessible resource for learning calculus. The book includes carefully worked examples and special problem types that help improve comprehension. New applied exercises demonstrate the usefulness of the mathematics. Additional summary tables with step–by–step details are also incorporated into the chapters to make the concepts easier to understand. The Quick Check and Focus on Concepts exercises have been updated as well. Engineers become engaged in the material because of the easy–to–read style and real–world examples.
- Print length1312 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons
- Publication date6 November 2008
- Dimensions22.4 x 5.08 x 26.4 cm
- ISBN-100470183454
- ISBN-13978-0470183458
Product details
- Publisher : John Wiley & Sons (6 November 2008)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 1312 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0470183454
- ISBN-13 : 978-0470183458
- Dimensions : 22.4 x 5.08 x 26.4 cm
- Customer Reviews:
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4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
31 global ratings
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Entropyless
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great textbook
Reviewed in the United States on 5 June 2011Verified Purchase
If you want to know just about everything to do with Calculus then this is the book. It even gives you a bit of the history of Calculus. This book is used by most universities in a 3 course set. Calculus I, II, and III.
2 people found this helpful
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btm81993
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Condition
Reviewed in the United States on 19 May 2012Verified Purchase
This book was received in excellent condition. The book looked brand new, except for the dented corners, but that is to be expected with a used book. I am very pleased with this purchase.

Luke F Naftz
3.0 out of 5 stars
This is not the best Calc book
Reviewed in the United States on 10 April 2016Verified Purchase
This is not the best Calc book, Stewart's is much better, but it teaches the fundamentals. My biggest issue with this book is it uses outrageous numbers in it's exercises, such that you need a calculator to find them in any normal amount of time. My stance on teaching math is it needs to be taught without the use of calculators and technology.
One person found this helpful
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