Deconstruct this Calculus 3 Journal: multivariable functions

Continuing the Deconstruct Calculus Series, this entry sees students through the leap from two dimensions to three. Our book gives equal weight to formulating these more complex equations and understanding the concepts behind them. In the beginning, we present ideas of multivariable calculus as extensions of the familiar single-variable calculus to build on existing intuition. Then, through carefully crafted activities and visualization guides, we take off the training wheels and let students test themselves with challenging, realistic problems in three dimensions.

Partial derivatives, double integrals, gradient vector fields—these cannot be properly understood through formulas alone. We approach them not just as mathematical objects but as representations of the three-dimensional world in which we live. Even if this is the end of your calculus career, we want you to walk away seeing the world a bit more mathematically and be prepared to use all you know. And if this is just the middle of your excursion into calculus, we'll see that you have an unshakable, tangible foundation on which to build.

The Deconstruct Calculus Series of interactive journals teaches calculus in a hands-on way. We have four principles.

First, our books emphasize intuition. You might not have had a book tell you how natural many of the concepts behind the name "Calculus" are. The Deconstruct Series is that book for every student who wants to—or has to—explore this subject we love. You'll learn concepts before calculations and will understand rather than memorize.

Second, Deconstruct books focus on you, the student. We provide answers to every question, examples are personal, and problems are useful.

Third, it's DIY. You'll be doing calculus, not just parroting equations and reciting theorems for a class.

Fourth, the Deconstruct Series emphasizes collaboration. Calculus is better with friends.

From the Publisher

The Deconstruct Calculus Series was developed through more than a decade of educational research, classroom testing, and funded curriculum innovation projects. The project received an Innovation in Teaching Award and has been funded by the Sloan Foundation, the College of Charleston, and the S.C. Space Grant.

Editorial Reviews & Endorsements

Academic Reviews

"I absolutely love the books—they are books that all students taking calculus should use!"
Jo Boaler, Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and cofounder of youcubed and Struggly

"I am enjoying the calculus books! I wish I had these books when I was taking calculus."
Cathy Williams, Co-Founder and Executive Director of youcubed

"They look beautiful, can't wait to dig in!"
Daniel Egger, Duke University, Pratt School of Engineering

Student Reviews

"At first I was nervous about using a nontraditional textbook, but once I understood the format, I loved how interactive it was. The examples were incredibly helpful."

"I found myself showing friends and family how interactive the textbook was. It made learning much more rewarding than a traditional textbook."

"This format is much more beneficial and interactive than a normal textbook. I know I would have been much more lost without it."

About the Author

Dr. Amy N. Langville is a professor of mathematics at the College of Charleston and is passionate about making mathematics more human, creative, and accessible. After years of teaching calculus and authoring internationally recognized books on topics ranging from search engines and ranking systems to mathematically inspired notebooks, Amy became convinced that many students struggle not because calculus is too difficult, but because it is often presented without intuition, context, and opportunities for students to discover mathematics for themselves. She spent more than a decade creating the Deconstruct Calculus Series, the (anti)textbook she always wished her students had.