The Humongous book of Calculus Problems

[bilalahmedkh]

David,

In our last communication you recommended the above book. I have bought this book for foundation purposes. However, this book is quite lenghty. Will you be able to do me a big favor by guiding me that what chapters should i read? Furthermore, if you think i need to go to through any other book for calculus like calculus life saver, can you please let me know the chapters so that i can really focus my work.

I will appreciate your help.

regards,
Bilal

 

[David Harper CFA FRM]

Hi Bilal,

Re: Humongous Book, IMO, the key relevant introduction is through Chapter 14 (but in our case, frankly, without great need for the interim TRIGONOMETRIC chapters. Of course, they are important in calculus, I'm just saying they aren't really necessary for the FRM exam). Also, THE APPENDIX D!

Re: Calculus Lifesaver. I think this book requires more time invested. It is maybe my favorite calculus intro but contains far more than you'd ever need for the exam. Topically, same as above: you'd do great to comprehend "How to solve Diffferential Problems" (Chap 6) and it's a real head start, further, to know Exponentials and Logarithm (Ch 9). But again: don't think you need to master all of this, these texts were in response to questions along the lines of, What's a good calculus intro? ... Also, if you get Lifesaver, highly recommend Taylor Series (Ch 26). Taylor Series is huge b/c it is the essential "template" for Jorion's "local valuation VaR method" ...hope that helps!

 

[bilalahmedkh]

Thanks David, it is helpful. To be honest i found going straight to ch 14 of Humungous book of calculas bit advanced for me. I will get calculas life saver also and invest some time through this book. I want to get to grips with the maths i need so that i do not struggle with FRM material.

 

[David Harper CFA FRM]

Hi Bilal,

Sorry, by "through Chapter 14" I meant that ideal is Chapters 1 through 14, inclusive. Agreed, you can't skip to 14. But 1-14, if you want to skip the Trig, went faster than i thought...pretty high density with examples.

David