Which Calculus Textbook is Best For You?
Which Calculus Textbook is Best For You?
In Spring 2012: all MAC 2311, 2312, 2313 Calculus Classes are using the 6th edition of Stewart's Early Trascendentals.
The Choices
Choosing a Calculus Textbook has become a complex decision. In Spring 2012, FSU will be using Stewart's Early Transcendentals 6th edition, and this textbook is packaged in many different ways. There is the choice of electronic book or hardcopy book or a hybrid version of the text (the text minus the homework problems). You should also know which of MAC2311, MAC2312, MAC2313 you will be taking at FSU. You can get a version that only covers MAC2311, a single variable version that covers MAC2311 and MAC2312, a multivariable version that only covers MAC2313, or the whole enchilada -- one book that covers MAC2311, MAC2312 and MAC2313. Finally there is a question of new vs used book. The first thing to learn about is WebAssign, the online homework and grading system used in these FSU Calculus courses. (WebAssign is not used in Business Calculus MAC 2233.)
Each instructor does it differently
Some don't use the textbook. Some are old school and don't use any technology. Others have all their stuff on-line with their own set of on-line problems instead of using WebAssign.WebAssign
Every section of MAC2311, MAC2312 and MAC2313 will have a WebAssign component. WebAssign costs money, but the FIRST TWO WEEKS ARE FREE and you need to test drive it during drop/add. The WebAssign class will open its doors on the first day of class, Jan 4, 2012. You can log into WebAssign via BlackBoard if your instructor uses BlackBoard.
To login to WebAssign without going through BlackBoard: Goto the WebAssign login page http://www.webassign.net/login.html, use you FSU username for the username (your FSUID), the lowercase fsu for your institution, and then reset your password. Your new password will be e-mailed to your FSU e-mail. If you have had a previous WebAssign account, contact Student Support at WebAssign to sync your new account to the old one.
Not all instructors require WebAssign assignments, but all sections have WebAssign assignments available. Many instructors do require all their students to do WebAssign assignments as part of their Calculus grade. Generally speaking doing lots of problems is the best way to learn Mathematics, and WebAssign will check the correctness giving you instant feedback.
Webassign problems have links going back to an electronic copy of the textbook. This provides a student with access to the textbook from any computer or smart mobile device. This is access is called Enhanced Webassign. It is possible that only reading the textbook via a computer/mobile screen will work for you.
New or Used?
The 7th edition of Stewart is now out and so used copies of the 6th edition are of decreased value. A new textbook will lose its dollar value, but in the past, the hardcopy calculus book is something found on the bookshelf of most scientists and engineers.
New books can come with a printed access code for enhanced WebAssign. Used books don't.
Electronic, Hardcopy, Hybird
The Cheapest Choice to get a the book is to opt for the electronic version available via Enhanced Webassign. Every section will have a webassign class with practice problems. Some instructors (but not all) will require students do webassign problems as part of their grade in which case they will have access to the ebook version of the text. But this option includes NO hardcopy physical book.
The publisher, Cengage, has a direct website for FSU giving a 10% discount for full color loose leaf text bundled with Printed Access Code for Enhanced WebAssign
- MAC2311 Only: Single Variable Calculus, Early Transcendentals, Vol I
- MAC2311 & 2312; Single Variable Calculus, Early Transcendentals
- MAC2311 & 2312 & 2313; Calculus, Early Transcendentals
- MAC2313 Only; Multi Variable Calculus, Early Transcendentals