Calculus is one of the grandest achievements of human thought, explaining everything from planetary orbits to the optimal size of a city to the periodicity of a heartbeat. This brisk course covers the core ideas of single-variable Calculus with emphases on conceptual understanding and applications. The course is ideal for students beginning in the engineering, physical, and social sciences. Distinguishing features of the course include: 1) the introduction and use of Taylor series and approximations from the beginning; 2) a novel synthesis of discrete and continuous forms of Calculus; 3) an emphasis on the conceptual over the computational; and 4) a clear, dynamic, unified approach.
Single Variable Calculus
Instructor: Robert Ghrist
Sponsored by Louisiana Workforce Commission
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(317 reviews)
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There are 5 modules in this course
It's time to redo calculus! Previously, all the calculus we have done is meant for functions with a continuous input and a continuous output. This time, we are going to retool calculus for functions with a <i>discrete</i> input. These are <i>sequences</i>, and they will occupy our attention for this last segment of the course. This first module will introduce the tools and terminologies for <b>discrete calculus</b>.
What's included
4 videos2 readings5 assignments
That first module might have seemed a little...strange. It was! In this module, however, we will put that strangeness to good use, by giving a very brief introduction to the vast subjects of <b>numerical analysis</b>, answering such questions as <i>"how do we approximate solutions to differential equations?"</i> and <i>"how do we approximate definite integals?"</i> Perhaps unsurprisingly, Taylor expansion plays a pivotal role in these approximations.
What's included
2 videos1 assignment
In "ordinary" calculus, we have seen the importance (and challenge!) of improper integrals over unbounded domains. Within discrete calculus, this converts to the problem of infinite sums, or <b>series</b>. The determination of convergence for such will occupy our attention for this module. I hope you haven't forgotten your big-O notation --- you are going to need it!
What's included
4 videos6 assignments
This course began with an exploration of Taylor series -- an exploration that was, sadly, not as rigorous as one would like. Now that we have at our disposal all the tests and tools of discrete and continuous calculus, we can finally close the loop and make sense of what we've been doing when we Talyor-expand. This module will cover power series in general, from we which specify to our beloved Taylor series.
What's included
4 videos5 assignments
Are we at the end? Yes, yes, we are. Standing on top of a high peak, looking back down on all that we have climbed together. Let's take one last look down and prepare for what lies above.
What's included
4 videos2 readings2 assignments
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Reviewed on Apr 9, 2020
A fantastic course. Kudos to Prof. Ghrist for making this a fun, interesting and challenging ride at the same time. Looking forward to Multivariable Calculus by Prof. Ghrist.
Reviewed on Apr 10, 2021
This provides a new outlook on calculus! I thoroughly enjoyed it
Reviewed on Jul 9, 2018
An introduction to numerical analysis was exactly what I need.
Recommended if you're interested in Math and Logic
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