Vector Calculus

My son reads this in his free time at high school. The loser administration doesn’t know how to handle over-achievers, so he’s doing it by self study. A solid author, readable text.

The book was in great condition when I purchased it from the seller. But the book itself does a great job on explaining some of the concepts and theorems. The examples are helpful and the homework questions are just an extension of the examples except for some of the harder proof ones. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone that has to take Multi-variable and Vector Calculus.

The book is not very good at explaining the concepts. The authors seem to instead enjoy giving you a history lesson that is relevant to the subject, but not how to learn it. The practice problems are far too drawn out with lots of unnecessary arithmetic. So if you have difficulty understanding a particular problem you have to sort through all the arithmetic to see if your mistake was in that or the actual calculus you are supposed to be learning. They also enjoy using many unnecessary previous subjects like trig substitution, u substitution, etc with the practice problems. I enjoy a challenging problem, but let me get the basics down. The first couple problems should not require that much work. Every other book I have used has the problems gradually get harder as you go through them sequentially. On top of that many of the odd problem answers in the back are only partial answers. The problem may ask you to make a graph as part of the answer, but they won't display the graph that is essential to the answer. I have never felt the need to review a text book, but this one is quite terrible. I can usually ignore my professors during class and learn from the book, this book is worse than the professors. I have been forced to get my information from other sources.

.

Book isn't very well written, but pretty. Doesn't explain vector calculus very well, but unfortunately it was required for my course. I would recommend buying a different book if you have an option, I have heard that Multivariable Calculus (Stewart's Calculus Series) or Multivariable Calculus: Early Transcendentals (Stewart's Calculus Series) is really good. Not sure what the difference is between the two though...

Having read some of the reviews written here, I feel compelled to write some brief comments on Marsden's text. If you're the kind of math student who has always learned through repetition of techniques presented by a teacher or professor in non-mathematical language (I'd say this is the majority of non-math major undergraduates), this textbook is a bad choice. Marsden's approach is relatively simple, providing ample explanations that are concise and clear for any individual well-adjusted to "reading Math"... by that, I mean a student who is fluent in mathematical notations and in comprehending proofs. For example, test yourself (here's an actual quotation from the text, taken from the discussion on limits and continuity): Definition, Open Sets: "Let U be a subset of R^n, we call U an open set for every point x in U there exists some r > 0 such that D(x) is contained within U." [in that sense, we might imagine the open set U to be the open disk or ball of radius r and center x denoted by D(x)] Now, this is a simple concept; but if you find yourself struggling to understand this definition in a superficial way, you might have some problems with Marsden's text. This is the kind of language that is used throughout the text--its rather bourgeois when compared to other multivariable calculus texts (another reviewer makes the comment that Marsden's text is the self-proclaimed 'aristocrat' of Calculus III texts--I find such a comment quite fitting). If you are one of those struggling individuals that nevertheless decides to use this text, here's some advice: (1) First, read the introductory section on prerequisites and notation--put some time into understanding how to read math and believe me, it will pay off in a big way. (2) You have to think of this text as all or nothing. If you don't use it, fine; if you do, YOU MUST rely on the text throughout the entire course, i.e. read everything (except perhaps for the historical information)... this is critical because by reading all the chapters and sections, you'll find that you'll begin to develop an ability to read the text efficiently, i.e. your math-reading skills will increase dramatically. If instead, you choose to rely on your class notes and turn to this book when you need clarification, you won't find it simply because you won't understand what you're reading. (3) This is obvious: work all example problems as you read the text. I've found the examples to be easier than those in the exercises (other reviewers have made this observation as well), but with some help from your TA (or novel thinking on your part), you should never feel lost in attempting to solve these problems (given that you've invested the time to really understand those examples). (4) If you have experience in Linear Algebra, you're in a much stronger position to succeed with the text. Even though Marsden introduces the topics you'll need, obviously, the experience can only help you. (5) In difference to the common opinion, Calculus III is actually an easy course--only right up until the end (chapters 7 & 8), does the material become much more difficult. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the most poorly written chapters in the text are chapters 7 and 8. So, a word of advice: if you find yourself coasting throughout the course, be aware that the material gets harder--and be prepared for that dramatic change in difficulty. Though Marsden 'gets the job done' in explaining the material, for all students, I'd recommend thinking about a supplement text for these 2 chapters (or very good class notes; one learns chapters 7 & 8 by working through example problem after example problem). (6) Buy (or better yet go to your college's library and find) the student solutions manual! Assign yourself problems to practice before tests; as with all quantitative and physical science courses, one learns by solving problems, bottom line. In summary, Marsden is a good text; its simple for the trained math reader (by that, I don't mean only professors!), but very very difficult to inexperienced students. It's not light reading, and it's going to challenge you; but for those that put in the time, you'll find that the book is very logical and well-organized in its presentation of the material.

This book is great as a transition between elementary calculus and multivariable calculus. It es meant for people with great interest in mathematics and a commitment to learning with rigorous exercises and problems. Excellent for mathematics or physics majors.

Arrived in almost perfect condition for a very low price. Great deal!

It is a nice textbook. I liked it very much.

ouvrage précis extrêmement clair et didactique - très complet parfait pour l'enseignement à la fac qualité du cours, des exemples et exercices