If I want to teach myself math

  • Thread starter Blahness
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation is about someone seeking advice on teaching themselves calculus. Suggestions are given, such as talking to a teacher, taking night courses, and using intro books or online resources. It is also emphasized to have strong algebra skills before attempting calculus. The Schaum outline series is recommended as a helpful resource for self-study.
  • #1
Blahness
113
0
and I know Algebra to a large extent and Geometry to a lesser, but still large extent, how would I go about teaching myself Calculus? It just happens that my math class is a reiteration of a previous one, and I wish to continue learning math despite the lack of classwork.

(Oh, and I've never tried this "learn on your own" stuff before, so general ideas about that would help! :biggrin:)
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
  • #2
You could talk to your teacher to see if you could get placed in a different math class.

Are you sure this class is a "reiteration" of the previous one? Maybe you're just doing some review before moving onto new material?

Did you do very well in the previous math classes? It might be worth going through the material again if it means you will become much more proficient at it. (e.g. poor algebra skills will make calculus hard to learn)
 
  • #3
There are lots of intro books on calculus for the "layman". Calculus Made Easy is a classic one. I remember one that I read as a teenager that was essentially a comic book, but was pretty good, Prof. E McSquared's Calculus Primer.

Or you could always take night courses at a community college.
 
  • #4
Daverz said:
There are lots of intro books on calculus for the "layman". Calculus Made Easy is a classic one. I remember one that I read as a teenager that was essentially a comic book, but was pretty good, Prof. E McSquared's Calculus Primer.

Or you could always take night courses at a community college.

Yeah, that would be a great start.

I would still consider what Hurkyl said. Do you have good algebra skills?

Normally you can just jump into Calculus. I never did anything special before going in and I did fine. If you know the Binomial Theorem, know what a limit is, and how to play around with variables quite easily, you're a bit ahead of what I knew before I started.

I recommend a high school Calculus textbook because Stewart's Calculus might be too advanced for now.
 
  • #5
Oh, here's an interesting free text:

http://www.math.wisc.edu/~keisler/calc.html

if you're comfortable with the fact that it teaches a nonstandard formalism. (You're learning the same calculus -- it's just a different foundational approach)
 
  • #6
Hurkyl said:
Oh, here's an interesting free text:

http://www.math.wisc.edu/~keisler/calc.html

if you're comfortable with the fact that it teaches a nonstandard formalism. (You're learning the same calculus -- it's just a different foundational approach)

I wouldn't play around with the foundation of such a subject because if he seeks help, he will have almost no one for help. It would have to be general.
 
  • #7
If you wish, I could probably talk to Mr. Faulkner (the calculus teacher at our school) and get you the calc textbook... I was in his calculus class last year and now TA for his current calculus class.

EDIT: You can also find the notes from the class on Faulkner's website.
 
  • #8
Hmm, based on what you've all said, I'm going to practice a bit and skim through the textbook(read moose's post) before trying to learn it myself.

My only problem is keeping track of what I'm doing, and losing/changing a number I shouldn't be changing in the process. Tiny, little errors make A students B students, you know.
 
  • #9
Blahness said:
Hmm, based on what you've all said, I'm going to practice a bit and skim through the textbook(read moose's post) before trying to learn it myself.

My only problem is keeping track of what I'm doing, and losing/changing a number I shouldn't be changing in the process. Tiny, little errors make A students B students, you know.

A students also practice and make mistakes, but fix them, over and over and over and over and over... until those tiny mistakes don't exist anymore :)
 
  • #10
FrogPad, Moose said the exact same thing, albiet with different wording, therefore I feel as though I should assume t'is true.

Therefore, here I come, practicing. x.x
 
  • #11
Blahness said:
FrogPad, Moose said the exact same thing, albiet with different wording, therefore I feel as though I should assume t'is true.

Therefore, here I come, practicing. x.x

Yeah, I didn't mean it in a hostile way. Now after rereading what was said, it was unnecessary to even point out. That's what I get for skimming through threads

To actually offer something that may be of some use for you. Check out the http://www.maplesoft.com/" tutors for calculus. They have some excellent tutors that will walk you through, step by step through problems. It really helped me learn differentiation rules, and even basic integrals when I was studied calc. What made Calc I so hard for me was my horrible algebra skills. I actually still fall back on my TI-89 because I'll forget something in algebra. Oh... and with those tutors you can make up your own problems. So if you are ever like, what if this, or what if that... you can put it in there and try it out.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #12
there is a series for self-study, The Schaum outline series. This is intended to be primarily for home/self study and has lots of problems and answers. I used the Calculus one. I could understand how they presented it.
 

FAQ: If I want to teach myself math

How can I start teaching myself math?

To start teaching yourself math, it's important to identify your current level of understanding and what areas you need to improve on. You can do this by taking a diagnostic test or reviewing past math classes. Once you have a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, you can create a study plan and start practicing problems.

What resources can I use to teach myself math?

There are many resources available for self-teaching math, including textbooks, online courses, videos, and practice problems. You can also find study groups or tutors to help you if you need additional support.

How much time should I spend on learning math each day?

The amount of time you should spend on learning math each day depends on your personal schedule and goals. However, it's important to have regular and consistent study sessions to make progress. Aim for at least 30 minutes to an hour each day.

Is it possible to teach myself advanced math?

Yes, it is possible to teach yourself advanced math. It may require more dedication and effort, but with the right resources and study techniques, you can definitely improve your skills in advanced math topics.

How can I stay motivated while teaching myself math?

Staying motivated while teaching yourself math can be challenging, but there are a few things you can do to keep yourself on track. Set achievable goals, track your progress, and reward yourself for your hard work. It can also be helpful to find a study partner or join a study group to keep yourself accountable.

Similar threads

Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
19
Views
5K
Back
Top