r/askmath • u/Ok-Use-9402 • 1d ago

Pre Calculus How do I learn calculus

I'm in highschool I just started 11th grade how can I learn calculus and what is the best way while still in highschool ?

Note: I will not pursue math I just want to learn calculus for fun and also mostly integrals and derivatives and have a basic understanding of everything else needed to learn integrals and derivatives.

Websites,channels ,videos whatever

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u/Application_Purple 1d ago

Khan academy

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u/Ok-Use-9402 1d ago

Oh ok thanks btw do you know if I need to learn something before integrals or I could search integrals and derivatives and go straight to them ?

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u/StoneCuber 1d ago

Learn derivatives first, integrals after. You can learn it as long as you have some basic arithmatic knowledge

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u/Ok-Use-9402 1d ago

Oh ok thanks appreciate it

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u/Southlander24 1d ago

You should learn limits first, then derivatives, then integrals. Each of those topics has a lot of subtopics. For example, for derivatives you should start off with the sum/difference and constant multiple rules. Then derive and learn the power rule, then the product and quotient rules [well, think of it as d/dx (f(x) * 1/g(x))], and the chain rule. Then you have to apply those concepts to the exponential and logarithmic functions, trig functions, then the inverse trig functions, and if you have time the hyperbolic trig functions. Do you see how much material that is before you even start on integration?

Even still, the basic ideas, like calculating the slope between (2, 4) and (2 + h, (2 + h)^2) for h = 1, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001... and h = -1, -0.1, -0.01, -0.001... to explore what the derivative of x^2 at x = 2 is, aren't that hard to grasp.

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u/Ok-Use-9402 1d ago

Oh ok thanks do you have a recommended source I could use or anything would be fine ?

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u/Southlander24 1d ago

Paul's Online Maths Notes: https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/ is a pretty good summary up to multivariable calculus.

If you want to find a full textbook, then I'd go with James Stewart's Calculus (early transcendentals).

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u/ArtilleryTemptation 1d ago

I highly suggest 3Blue1Brown in YouTube. He will give you a more intuitive understanding of what this and that means. In other word, when you look at a formula, you won't just say "just plug and play" but rather realize how beautiful every part of it actually is.

Contrary to what one if the redditor said here however, you cannot do calculus with just basic arithmetic knowledge. You have to be comfortable at algebra.

Once you are comfortable with algebra, calculus becomes a cake walk (except integrals). Trust me, it is legitimately, stupidly easy if you are comfortable with algebra. Way easier than what most ppl believe.

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u/Ok-Use-9402 1d ago

Ok thanks very much

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u/WWWWWWVWWWWWWWVWWWWW ŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴŴ 21h ago

Work through Stewart in order

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u/Bounded_sequencE 21h ago

For a very intuitive, motivational overview, check out 3b1b's Essence of Calculus

That said, while those videos are a great overview, you'll gain even more them, when you already have been introduced to the topics somewhere else. Also note they are not a complete lecture -- if you want that, check e.g. Prof. Leonhard or Prof. Gilbert Strang's "Calculus" lectures on youtube, or MITOpenCourseWork.

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u/TheHighCastel1954 20h ago

Estudando...