Introduction to Calculus: The Greeks, Newton, and Leibniz

You've been dreading this for a long time, but there's no getting around it! Once we wrap up algebra and trigonometry, it's time to start learning calculus. Don't worry, it's not as bad as you've heard! We just have to learn a couple of new operations and algorithms, but we've done that so many times before! Before we dive into all that, let's learn a little bit about what calculus is and why it came about.

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[progyandas]

Back in school in India, teachers straightaway jump to equations without giving us anything about why we are studying calculus, partly because they had to finish the humongous syllabus somehow and also partly because they just didn't want to. Mathematics isn't my area anymore but it might need it during research in political economy so thanks for this !

[callmedeno]

I love that you actually provide the context. My brain just cannot be receptive to something until I know the hows the why's and the wherefores so it's much appreciated.

[aman__gaur]

I'm a sophomore student in India and I was introduced to calculus while preparing for a competitive exam in my high school. I never understood how infinite series can generate a finite answer. I got it now. Mathematics is much more beautiful and is much more applicable in real life than what creativity killer institutes in India teach. Thank you so much, Prof Dave :)

[Oldcoots]

If Richard Feynman was "The Great Explainer" professor, you are his closest associate! Thank You for such a cogent video sir.

[schifoso]

It's amazing that Archimedes, using exhaustion and inscribed triangles and rectangles, nearly came up with integral calculus 2000 years before Newton and Lebnitz.

Really looking forward to this part of your math series.

[intheshellify]

Professor Dave, you are a comforting voice in a dark, dark abyss.

[davidcoleman]

You are the teacher every high school student of calculus should have had. I subscribed because I can use the reminders,
explained so well, to keep such a useful discipline fresh in my mind.

[Primitarian]

The math teacher who taught me calculus in high school could have save a lot of trouble if had he just shown me this video.

[nellAx]

I’ve already taken 3 different calculus based classes within the past year in college and I’m still gonna watch this playlist. You explain things very well, keep it up!

[rosepierce]

Wow, I had been searching for hours for a video that introduces the essence of calculus without going too much into the details. Most videos did a poor job of explaining the ideas without getting bogged down in the details and causing much confusion, but Professor Dave here gave us such an interesting account that makes me want to finish watching the whole playlist tonight! You have earned my like, sir. You truly have a gift for teaching and introducing new concepts cogently. Keep up the good work!

[RadicalCaveman]

Calculus is conceptually quite cool. Operationally, it's a one big, messy algebra problem after another.

[soupisready]

This is great, i am half way through Gilbert Strangs MIT course on calculus, and this is exactly what he is talking about. It is so great to learn all this stuff a second time right now, wish i had known this or were interested in it when i was in high school.

[pinchermartyn]

Where were you in my youth? You are teaching the WHY which is so important!!! And all else follows. And the history!!! Facinating subject when taught well. Thank you for your generosity and service doing this. Awesome work!!! Many, many thanks.

[kidzbopisstraightfire]

If I was a math teacher, I would just show videos like these every day...the explanations are better than anything I could come up with

[paulchoudhury]

Excellent explanation of the background and motivation. Will have my son watch this as he's starting Calculus now.

[turbobrain]

In college, I wanted to be an applied mathematician. I excelled at learning the new techniques and methods to solve problems. In grad school, I got tripped up by Abstract Algebra and Topologies and such. I floundered.
Good luck on your new series.

[maximiliancarey]

Professor Dave, you have a true talent for teaching. I went into this video truly terrified of mathematics and learning in general. I left this video, actually excited for calculus (especially now that I know what it is used for).

Having a father who used to be a chemistry professor, I can recognize a love for learning when I see it.
Congratulations and I honestly wish you the best. Thank you.

[jayfreeman]

This is fabulous.i needed a calculus credit in university in order to enroll in a law school course ( intellectual property). I was never good at math and got completely intimidated by math.i could not understand it .This video has brilliantly bridged that understanding gap. For those of you who are intimidated by math, this series of videos is heaven sent.You might even surprise yourself and get good at it. It's a great place to start to dig in.🤓

[tushurawat]

I am in sixth grade ... and you made me actually understand calculus! Very interesting... makes math better than it was! I love math and now you make me adore it.

[AmbatiManoj]

Videos like this make education less horror...., Thank you,