Calculus: Concepts and Contexts

Emphasizing conceptual understanding, this calculus text includes real world applications and stresses multiple representations - numerical, visual, algebraic, and verbal interpretations. The concept of derivative is covered before the rules of differentiation are developed. This approach gives students a conceptual understanding of and an opportunity to work with the derivative and before they are introduced to the "rules'" or formulas. The problems maintain a balance between algebraic skills and conceptual understanding.