4 comments about Calculus for the Forgetful.

1. I'm really impressed with the way this book handles complicated and subtle calculus ideas in an accessible way. I hadn't taken calculus in quite some time when I first looked at it, and it really did jog my memory! If you're looking for a good resource that isn't a textbook (or that doesn't pack the price of a textbook but covers the same material), this is it!



2. This book has all the right scaffolding to hold up the building that is calculus. Small, easy to carry and has everything you need in a calculus reference. Plus, while covering the basics nicely, there are expert comments included for those who are interested, and they are marked by a different type-setting so that the user who just needs to get in and get out can easily skip these parts. Perfect for the calculus 2, 3, physics, engineering, or other student who needs the occassional calculus refresher/reference.



3. This book is the perfect response to the modern calculus textbook that provides so much information that students can't see the forest for the trees. It focuses tightly on building understanding of central concepts by the use of intuitive arguments and well chosen examples. Particularly effective are the examples that address common misunderstandings and mistakes by demonstrating what not to do.



4. Calculus for the Forgetful by Wojciech Kosek is an excellent short calculus book. The author fundamentally achieves the goals outlined in the preface. The prose highlights the "core ideas and concepts" of the subject. Enhancement with proofs and examples is natural and easy. I certainly would consider using this as a primary text if supplemented with a collection of exercises, problems, and projects.
   
   I am used to teaching calculus in a very intensive format in which each class lasts 3½ weeks. The professor must "trim all the fat" (some say "execute a full liposuction") in order to achieve success. Thus, I naturally favor a shorter treatment than the usual encyclopedic calculus text. Kosek's effort certainly is the best I have come across. I will recommend it to my students as a supplement to text adopted by my department. In fact, I will suggest they buy and keep Calculus for the Forgetful and sell the regular text to a subsequent student.

2 comments about Measurement Uncertainty: Methods and Applications, Fourth Edition.

1. This book was written by an expert in the areaa of Measurement Uncertainty with over 30 years in the field. It is based on consensus work done with multiple international standards groups. An excellent introduction AND detailed text for all engineers and scientists interested in the subject.



2. MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY: METHODS AND APPLICATIONS appears in its fourth edition to provide an entire course to engineering students: a tutorial of measurement uncertainty methods categorized and ready to go. The new uncertainty technologies in US and international standards are included here, serving as both a desk reference to practicing engineers and as a basic text for college-level students in engineering and industry. An excellent survey recommended for specialty college-level Science & Technology collections, and for supplemental curriculum classroom text assignment.

No comments about Bayesian Reasoning in Data Analysis: A Critical Introduction.

No comments about Racing Around (MathStart 2).

5 comments about Fundamentals of Dimensional Metrology.

1. This book has been required for a Dimensional Metrology class at Palomar College for the last ten years. This course is required for students seeking an AA in Quality Assurance Technology, or Quality certification. Though not a definitive guideline for the science of measurement, it seems to be the best text available.

   Although there is an abundance of illustrations most are outdated and from the sixties. The field of Metrology has changed substantially and this text has not been revised accordingly. The questions and answer choices that follow each chapter are ambiguous in nature and need to reflect current issues. I would like to see more alignment with the ASQ CMI body of knowledge, inclusion of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, and revision of the statistics chapter to include Gage R&R and various continuous improvement tools (cause and effect diagrams, run charts, process capability, trend charts, check sheets, etc.). The QS 9000 guidelines and newer calibration standards should also be referenced.

   Let's see a major overhaul with the next issue.




2. This book would be useful to any machinist, but it is specifically written for the dimensional calibration technician, a wealth of practical, useful information. Thanks.



3. I have been reading this book for a class. I must say that this book is not as detailed as I would like it to be. I am an engineer and my expectation was that when a statement is made details would be provided to backup the statements. And the figures in the book are not easy to understand quickly. There must be a better book out there.



4. As an ASQ certified Mechanical Inspector and Quality Technician, I would like to say that; This text is a fine resource for any person working in the metrology field. It covers a wide range of topics and is well worth having. Written in a style that is both informatve AND interesting. I was well pleased with this book.



5. As an ASQ certified Mechanical Inspector and Quality Technician, I would like to say that; This text is a fine resource for any person working in the metrology field. It covers a wide range of topics and is well worth having. Written in a style that is both informatve AND interesting. I was well pleased with this book.

5 comments about The Measurement, Instrumentation and Sensors Handbook (Electrical Engineering Handbook).

1. This book is one of the best book covering measurement and sensors. The book cover almost any sensor you think of, describe it function (the background physics) and then explain how it work with some application in software. This book must have for any one working with sensor (engineers, physicist...). the book start explaining it material assuming no prior knowledge for the reader which make it much easier and easy to follow up, start from simple point to explain and then get more complicated with mathematics applied for that particular sensor. I have a degree on physics and I believe this book is a good reference even in physics and I enjoy this book so much. It is a lot fun to read for professional or even for any reader. Any time I was searching for more information about specific sensor this book never turn me down. In short it's one of the greatest book I bought and I don't mind paying its price because it worth every penny.



2. This book is one of the best book covering measurement and sensors. The book cover almost any sensor you think of, describe it function (the background physics) and then explain how it work with some application in software. This book must have for any one working with sensor (engineers, physicist...). the book start explaining it material assuming no prior knowledge for the reader which make it much easier and easy to follow up, start from simple point to explain and then get more complicated with mathematics applied for that particular sensor. I have a degree on physics and I believe this book is a good reference even in physics and I enjoy this book so much. It is a lot fun to read for professional or even for any reader. Any time I was searching for more information about specific sensor this book never turn me down. In short it's on of the greatest book I bought and I don't mind paying it's price because it worth every penny.



3. This book is one of the best book covering measurement and sensors. The book cover almost any sensor you think of, describe it function (the background physics) and then explain how it work with some application in software. This book must have for any one working with sensor (engineers, physicist...). the book start explaining it material assuming no prior knowledge for the reader which make it much easier and easy to follow up, start from simple point to explain and then get more complicated with mathematics applied for that particular sensor. I have a degree on physics and I believe this book is a good reference even in physics and I enjoy this book so much. It is a lot fun to read for professional or even for any reader. Any time I was searching for more information about specific sensor this book never turn me down. In short it's one of the greatest book I bought and I don't mind paying its price because it worth every penny.



4. This unwieldy tome is a great book on just about every kind of sensor you could think of. It is an edited work, and consists of over 100 chapters/articles written by different groups of individuals. In spite of that, the book has a good logical flow.
   
   Part one is on measurement and instrumentation in general. It discusses the desirable characteristics, operational modes, accuracy, and standards of instrumentation in general.
   
   The next ten sections discuss specific classes of sensors, their operation, applicable mathematical equations, and typical configuration/circuits needed for their use. The sensors are broken down into those that measure spatial variables, time and frequency, solid mechanical variables, fluid mechanical variables, thermal mechanical variables, electromagnetic variables, optical variables, radiation, chemical variables, and finally biomedical variables. It would probably be very difficult for any one person to understand all of these sections, as specific sections require a basic knowledge of specific disciplines, but the language is very accessible and the content very interesting. Each article contains an extensive bibliography and list of reference articles where more information can be obtained.
   
   The next section is about signal processing. This covers everything from A/D conversion to the mathematics of analog and digital signal processing. There are plenty of circuits shown and even some worked out examples on how to design filters with certain given characteristics. This is very accessible to anyone with a background in signals and systems.
   
   Next is a less mentally taxing section on displays. There is some history of each device, theory of operation, and advice on the most suitable environment for each type of display device, as well as interfacing information.
   
   The final section is a brief one on control. This section seemed rather rushed and really didn't do a very good job of explaining control systems compared to the high quality of the rest of the book.
   
   Of all the books I've owned or read on the subject of sensors, this one has the best combination of device physics, theory of operation, application circuitry, signal processing, and applicable mathematics. I highly recommend this book to any scientist who needs to learn about specific sensors and anything related to their operation, control, and possible interfaces.



5. Great book. Well organized and to the point. No useless theory cluttering up the technical material. Very useful.

No comments about The Abyss of Time: An architect's history of the Golden Section.

5 comments about Lab Math: A Handbook of Measurements, Calculations, and Other Quantitative Skills for Use at the Bench.

1. This is a great book. I use it mostly to look up techniques while I'm working (certain pages are well dog-eared), but when I've read more, I've found it very helpful. I wish I'd had it when I was a student. Teachers should also find it really useful for helping students get the math refresher they usually need for college science classes. There are a couple of errors - you can download the corrections from the publishers website (where it says the mistakes are only in the first printing) - but in a book like this that's hard to avoid, and there are actually very few. Most of the book is really terrific, and surprisingly entertaining, especially the cartoons.



2. If you're a new researcher or have been doing it forever, this book is excellent. I have been a bench scientist for seven years now, and have found this book highly useful. The picture on the cover was indeed my desk and lab-space until I got this book in hand. Definitely worth it, and make sure your fellow lab-mates don't try to permanently adopt it!



3. This book has the answers to all the math stuff you didn't pay attention to in intro chemistry and don't want to ask those more senior to you. I am currently working toward my PhD, and I use it daily at the bench.



4. A colleague has this book so I had seen the content. Mostly pretty useful, too bad it was upside down. The book is spiral with a hard cover, the spiral part was inserted upside down. I assume no pages are missing. Too annoying to return it to Amazaon, 50$+. Won't happen again. This is the first time I've ever had a problem, serious or otherwise, from Amazon.



5. At first glance this book seemed like it would be really helpful. It has a very good diagram of dilutions and a good explanation of pH and solutions. However, there is no section on commonly used equations like osmolality and creatinine clearance. I thought this book was geared more towards the medical technologist because it does have a good hematology math section. But I was disapointed. Luckily I don't mind writing in my books.

1 comments about How Long or How Wide?: A Measuring Guide (Math Is Categorical).

1. Brian Cleary can make even math seem like fun. Another of his delightful rhyming books that teach with funny words and clever illustrations. These books -- there's a series of them -- are a homeschooler's break from the boring and mundane, categorically a success!

2 comments about Algebra 1: An Incremental Development, Home Study Packet (Answer Key).

1. My mother is a Ph.D. in mathematics and taught Jr. and Sr. High math for several years before moving up to teach college math. She has been pretty vocal that the only math text that will result in imparting a poor understanding of mathematical concepts--a false sense of mastery while using it, but poor retention after--is Saxon. She says that every time she has a home schooled student who is really struggling at the college level and they say "But I did so well in math before!" and they are traumatized at the level of tutoring help they need to make it in college, they all have in common the fact that they learned math using Saxon texts in high school.
   
   After she impressed this on me, I was really leery about choosing jr. & sr. high school curriculum a couple years ago and asked her to go to me with convention to help me pick something out. She said, "You are good at math and a good teacher. Just pick something you like that is NOT SAXON!" I'm not exaggerating. It's the spiral learning method that they use. It doesn't give enough thorough practice of all the variations of a particular concept before moving on and too heavily relies on review throughout. That seems to impedes long-term retention. She thinks the fact that it is so dull and methodical is also ridiculous in this day and age of fabulous graphics and the trend to make math more interesting and multi-modal for the average student who doesn't love math.
   
   I find it interesting that on their website, of the 6 research studies of their curriculum, only one includes high school; the other five utilized k-8 or 6-8 curriculum. Maybe all that dry rote learning makes a student test better. But the sad part is when it comes to taking that learning and building on it, they don't really understand the concepts behind it and can't apply future learning to what they simply practiced over and over but don't really know. Kind of like cramming for a test by going over everything you've learned right beforehand and blocking everything else out until you take the test and then POOF! everything you repeated over and over in your head beforehand just seems "gone" once you go back to normal habits of thinking/doing and you stop all that repetition.



2. I have to say that I had a good experience with Saxon mathbooks. The explainations were great for kids learning on there own, when (ie homeschoolers) the subject is commonly one that a parent tends to be least able to confidently guide and instruct their child. The critical review I just read seems qualified by "PhD... etc", however I do know many people who benefitted from the Saxon math line of texts. Retention and learning methods do vary among student after all, and perhaps the instructor referred to encountered students who had not gone far enough into subsequent texts.
   
   The Saxon Algebra 1/2 and 1 are good for providing very easy to understand explainations to students needing help. In my case (and apparently my son's as well) they are also great sources for advancing self-study on your own when they want to challenge themselves. Perhaps that doesn't qualify him as prepared for advanced college concepts, but when the child is age 10, and typically bored/unchallenged at school... it gives them a great guide to develop further at home.
   
   I must also comment on the suggestion made by Ms. Shirley that there is not enough practice (but at the same time too much review?) in Saxon... hogwash! There are plenty of exercises throughout. And I haven't found anything dull or mehodical about the texts, and learning didn't POOF away. On the contrary, I've never read a better written self-instructed textbook. Furthermore, the criticism of research studies focussing on K-8 is unfair and "ridiculous"... this is where kids should be learning basic algebra!
   
   Ms. Shirley's review seems to impede the understanding that this is Beginner's instruction.
   Homeschooling instruction (and the level of advancement) is often very inadequate in math, but that is a seperate issue you cannot use as proof against the publisher. Our reviews are both subjective just like styles of learning.