Calculus for Beginners: Where to Get Help? Tutors Answer

Calculus is like math on super-steroids and it is surely tough.  In this article, you will find a list of sources that are to the point, free, and will help you get your calculus homework done.

Let’s dive in!

Difficulties in solving calculus homework

Calculus refers to the mathematical study of continuous change and generally consists of 2 key parts:

• Integral calculus
• Differential calculus

Integral calculus refers to the area in mathematics focused on theory and application of integrals. In integral calculus, the major aim is to find the area under a curve.

Differential calculus, on the other hand, deals with the rates at which quantities change. Differential and integral calculus are closely connected and combined they form the mathematical analysis.

You might experience problems solving calculus homework because it is difficult to understand how calculus is applied in real life. The first time I ever saw a calculus problem, it seemed to be something absolutely out of this world and as remote from real life as possible. However, later I’ve found out that calculus is actually widely used in such fields as:

• Statistics
• Physics
• Architecture
• Medicine
• Engineering
• Economics
• Sociology

The truth is, calculus helps create mathematical models and find optimal solutions for issues in these areas. Overall, calculus might seem like a outstandingly complex subject, but it is as practical as economics or statistics.

Now let’s review the sources where you can get calculus homework help!

Free sources to get help for calculus learning

Slader Calculus

This source is an easy to use textbook database that includes solutions to exercises from the most popular textbooks. Got issues with an exercise from your textbook, such as Calculus Early Transcendentals 8th edition? Calculus Slader has got your back! In the field “search textbooks” enter your request or the topic you are struggling with. Slader.com calculus will find you the textbooks that focus on this topic and allow you to browse exercises and solutions.

You can also browse textbooks on calculus through the menu in the top right corner:

Or enter the textbook title in the Textbook Search field:

• Advantages: easy to use, search by textbook, step-by-step, free, trustworthy, has an iPhone app and Android app which lets you find your textbook by scanning the barcode
• Disadvantages: contains ads, which can be turned off for $1.99/month

Even if you don’t have a subscription, Slader is an awesome tool for solving your calculus homework! Go ahead and check out their website or try using their apps – you will definitely find it useful.

WebMath

Webmath is a cool online tool for solving calculus homework and learning how the calculations are made step-by-step. WebMath clearly states that it can’t solve any calculus problem, but it will surely try. The website design is simple and easy to use, especially if you are a beginner at calculus struggling with your calculus homework. For instance, here is an example of solution of a simple expression 2x²

• Advantages: easy to use, step-by-step detailed explanation, free, vast variety of problem categories, no ads
• Disadvantages: limited number of topics, not quite mobile-friendly, no smartphone app

Overall, WebMath is a great tool for beginners searching to solve calculus homework, even though it can miss the calculus problem you’re struggling with.

QuickMath

This online resource is absolutely free and can provide you with solutions to your calculus homework problems and explain how they are solved by providing relevant theory. However, QuickMath is more about solution than learning and if this is what you’re looking for, you are welcome to check out this website, which is, by the way, mobile-friendly. Example of the same simple expression solved by QuickMath is below:

• Advantages: easy to use, intuitive interface, free, trustworthy, mobile-friendly, no ads, provides relevant theory
• Disadvantages: no smartphone app, no theory available, no detailed step-by-step solution and explanations for each step

Despite lack of detailed and explained step-by-step solutions, you can use this app to get quick results, which is often what you need the most if you’re in a rush!

Khan Academy

KhanAcademy is a unique resource that provides step-by-step and video explanations of a vast variety of topics in calculus. If you ever noticed that video explanations work the best for you, then you’ll love this online resource! You can search your topic in the list of topics on the front page or just use the search bar in the top left part of the website:

• Advantages: video explanation for every topic in calculus, step-by-step detailed explanation, free, intuitive interface
• Disadvantages: there is no calculus problem solving tool,might be difficult to navigate, not mobile-friendly, no smartphone app

So, to learn how calculus problems are solved and get explanations of theories, you can use the KhanAcademy website. However, you won’t be able to get online solutions for your own calculus expressions.

Paul’s online math notes

This is a hidden gem among all the sources presented in this list. Here, you will find a set of free and downloadable content, such as notes and tutorials, and full theoretical background of calculus.

Another great option of this site is cheat sheets and tables that will definitely help you with your calculus homework. Click ‘Content’ tab in the top left corner and choose whichever problem you’re struggling with. The site is easy to navigate and understand, all assignments have step-by-step explained solutions.

• Advantages: detailed step-by-step explanation for every topic in calculus, mobile-friendly, free, intuitive interface, downloadable content, cheat sheets and tables
• Disadvantages: there is no calculus problem solving tool,no smartphone app

Overall, if you want to learn calculus and understand it, you are welcome to check this source – it will definitely be of great use!

Better Explained

This website truly contains some surely unconventional and great explanations for calculus topics. You can use the search bar in the top right corner of the website to find the topic you are interested in and the website will reveal relevant results.

• Advantages: detailed step-by-step explanation for every topic in calculus with illustrations, mobile-friendly, free, intuitive interface
• Disadvantages: there is no calculus problem solving tool, no smartphone app

Ohio State University

If you want not only to get quick solutions for your calculus homework, but to learn calculus in-depth, then you can use the opportunity of taking online lessons in calculus by Ohio State University. You can pick and choose the topics you’re interested in and obtaining a full lesson with explanations in form of educational video. There is, of course, no online calculus problem solving tool, but if you are looking for an option that will help you become better at solving them yourself, these lessons will be of great use!

• Advantages: detailed step-by-step explanation for every topic in calculus in video, mobile-friendly, free, easy to navigate, trustworthy
• Disadvantages: there is no calculus problem solving tool

Tips For Learning Calculus and Finding Calculus Homework Help

• Browse your textbook – it can contain adequate explanations
• Make notes while learning calculus – this will help you remember everything much better and you’ll be able to browse through your notes anytime!
• Use visual aid – highlighters, sticky notes, graphs to make information easier to remember
• While solving a calculus homework problem using online tools, use more than one tool to check the result
• Don’t get stuck on one calculus problem you struggle to solve, but instead solve those you can first to avoid losing time and getting math anxiety

Online Help from a Calculus Tutor

There is no doubt about that calculus is difficult and can be extremely tough to solve.

Get Help With Your Calculus Homework

As you can see, best of the best online tools all have drawbacks, while an online calculus tutor will not only help you solve the most challenging calculus homework task, but provide you will all explanations you need as well.

Remember: usually a problem shared is a problem halved, but in this case – problem solved!