Question

I tried the single variable calculus OCW first lecture and I am not understanding some of his assumptions, so I guess I need something to study easier than this. Any suggestions? (Goal is to understand basic calculus - esp. Newtons method).

Answer 1

Study precalculus, logs, trig (unit circle), graphing funtions....etc

Answer 2

did you just start learning calculus, if so Newton Method would be a bit advanced for you

Answer 3

Yes, Newtons method is too advanced, that is basically why I am trying to learn calculus (newtons method is good for programming) the single variable calculus is too advanced... maybe I need to start with graphs and putting an equation on a graph... whats that called?

Answer 4

I have a basic understandingof logs now, but not trig though... do you know any resources for these things?

Answer 5

I would watch KhanAcedemy

Answer 6

Thats called graphing a function

Answer 7

If you need any help with trig or any trig related problems you can always ask here, there are plenty of people who can help you

Answer 8

okay I'll give Khan Acadamy a go :) Thanks, I'll ask when I need help... at the moment I wouldn't understand the answers to my questions lol

Answer 9

actually doing newton method is not difficult but understanding it is for beginner. It is just doing a procedure over and over, so For loops are useful for that

Answer 10

yeah, I get the general idea of successive approximation but can't understand one of the readings of the theory behind it...

Answer 11

I told myself that as I encounter trouble with my maths, I would learn it... so I'm at the trouble point... I can't believe I forgot so much...

Answer 12

Thanks very much guys :)

Answer 13

Actually, OCW is pretty helpful, that's how I learned calculus. Also now there is openstudy

Answer 14

Yeah, I knew I aren't strong enough in maths, I figured this (what's needed for my course) is as good a way as any to decide what to brush up on, I'm doing the Intro to cs on OCW and loving it.

Answer 15

CS is tough, I took it last fall

Answer 16

The maths is tough... I did a bit of Java (and switched) and though the language is harder than Python the maths was much easier.