The Standard Deviants - Calculus DVD Pack (Conquer Calculus 1 & 2)

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Starring: Standard Deviants
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Studio: Cerebellum Corporation
Release Date: 2004-09-14
Running Time: 240 minutes
Number of Items: 2
The Standard Deviants are more fun than a textbook and cheaper than hiring a calculus tutor! Beginning with a review of functions and graphing, these DVDs cover limits, vertical and horizontal asymptote, slopes and derivatives, antiderivatives, the definite integral, and more. The Calculus DVD 2-Pack contains Calculus Part 1 and Part 2.

Video study guide
This was a big help because my class was going very fast and the instructor gave us a lot to grasp. I could review the tape at home until I could figure out what I was doing wrong. Just wish it was on DVD.

Too many cooks spoil the soup.
I saw this set and was intrigued enough to try it out. The presentation is by a number of folks who try to sound chirpy and funny. Sadly they fail on both counts. My guess is the production is meant to go after the high school crowd using MTV tactics of folks interjecting points rapidly in and out. I understand that the material was for High School kids but this was patronizing even to high schoolers. After a while the many "explanations" by different folks got old and distracting. I am sure many kids will see through the gimmick and get bored or worse turn the thing off.

If you want a good INTORDUCTORY calculus course on DVD go with Jason Gibson's "Calculus 1 & 2 Tutor" and for a more advanced treatment go with his "Advanced Calculus Tutor". One more thing - the stuff on this set is Calc 1 only - not 1 & 2.

Standard Deviants Calc parts 1&2
The high energy is ratter distracting. I am 44 years old and returning to the subject after 20/25 years away. The video might be entertaining for high school students, which was likely the aim of the producers. This video is helpful, However, I have found equally helpful, less distracting material on You-Tube. This video covers nothing from Calculus 2.

A little mistake
About 1hr and 18 mins into the prog, they make a small error in working through the "find f'(2) when f(x)= 4x^2 - 8x +3" problem. They write:


f'(2) = lim 4h^2 + 8

and it ought to be:

f'(2) = lim 4h + 8

(both limits as h tends to zero)

after cancellation of h's, but what's a square between friends? Actually, it's a very good presentation -- pitched just right for the purpose.

Great Intro & Basics
Woah! For someone like me, who didn't even finish precal in high school, calculus can seem rather daunting. I've purchased quite a bit of learning materials to freshen up on math (a dozen books easily), and these DVDs have been one of the best tools at getting me up to where I want to be.

That squiggly integration sign always scared the crud outta me, but no more! These DVDs went through all the foundation material and by the time they discussed indefinite and definite integrals ... it was a breeze! Seriously! I now laugh at integration problems - well, the simple stuff anyways. :-)

At times it can be a little hokey, but none of that matters in the least if they're able to educate you and communicate concepts - and in my opinion, they are very capable. It doesn't get into the more advanced topics, but with the foundation the DVDs provide you're all set to explore those topics on your own. As another reviewer said, it doesn't cover "calculus 2" as it may possibly seem, but rather it includes both parts 1 and 2 of their calculus series.