Peter R. Mercer – författare

This book goes beyond the basics of a first course in calculus to reveal the power and richness of the subject. Standard topics from calculus — such as the real numbers, differentiation and integration, mean value theorems, the exponential function — are reviewed and elucidated before digging into a deeper exploration of theory and applications, such as the AGM inequality, convexity, the art of integration, and explicit formulas for π. Further topics and examples are introduced through a plethora of exercises that both challenge and delight the reader. While the reader is thereby exposed to the many threads of calculus, the coherence of the subject is preserved throughout by an emphasis on patterns of development, of proof and argumentation, and of generalization.

More Calculus of a Single Variable is suitable as a text for a course in advanced calculus, as a supplementary text for courses in analysis, and for self-study by students, instructors, and, indeed, all connoisseurs of ingenious calculations.

This textbook offers undergraduates a self-contained introduction to advanced topics not covered in a standard calculus sequence. The author’s enthusiastic and engaging style makes this material, which typically requires a substantial amount of study, accessible to students with minimal prerequisites. Readers will gain a broad knowledge of the area, with approaches based on those found in recent literature, as well as historical remarks that deepen the exposition. Specific topics covered include the binomial theorem, the harmonic series, Euler''s constant, geometric probability, and much more. Over the fifteen chapters, readers will discover the elegance of calculus and the pivotal role it plays within mathematics.

A Compact Capstone Course in Classical Calculus is ideal for exploring interesting topics in mathematics beyond the standard calculus sequence, particularly for undergraduates who may not be taking more advanced math courses. It would also serve as a useful supplement for a calculus course and a valuable resource for self-study. Readers are expected to have completed two one-semester college calculus courses.