Chapter 1
What Is Calculus?
In This Chapter
You’re only in Chapter 1 and you’re already going to get your first calc test
Calculus — it’s just souped-up regular math
Zooming in is the key
The world before and after calculus
“My best day in Calc 101 at Southern Cal was the day I had to cut class to get a root canal.”
— Mary Johnson
“I keep having this recurring dream where my calculus professor is coming after me with an axe.”
— Tom Franklin, Colorado College sophomore
“Calculus is fun, and it’s so easy. I don’t get what all the fuss is about.”
— Sam Einstein, Albert’s great grandson
In this chapter, I answer the question “What is calculus?” in plain English, and I give you real-world examples of how calculus is used. After reading this and the following two short chapters, you will understand what calculus is all about. But here’s a twist: Why don’t you start out on the wrong foot by briefly checking out what calculus is not?
What Calculus Is Not
No sense delaying the inevitable. Ready for your first calculus test? Circle True or False.
- True or False: Unless you actually enjoy ...
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