Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicists
Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicists by Daniel Fleggby Daniel Flegg
Ranked 3 of 4 calculus textbooks by recommenders
People who like it find it a succinct, rigorous survey of many topics and a useful reference, though it suits only some readers.
4 people recommended Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicists by Daniel Flegg in Hacker News comments and 4 criticized it, November 2025 to October 2026.
4 of the 4 people who recommend it commented in one thread, “Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicists [pdf]”.
Summary written by Claude from 9 comments.
8 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 4
- mixed feelings
- 0
- warn against or regret it
- 4
The record
Recommended in 1 of 12 months
In 1 different thread.
- November 2025: recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: not recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 4 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 1 recommender for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, not met.
- Recommended in 1 of 12 monthsNeeds 4 or more, not met.
- Recommended in 1 threadNeeds 5 or more, not met.
- 4 of its 4 recommenders came from one threadNeeds half or less, not met.
The same rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. Mixed feelings count toward neither side. How the badge works
What people say about it
Reasons grouped from a sample of 9 of the 9 opinions about it, picked in proportion to how many people recommend it, have mixed feelings and criticize it. Each mark is one comment in the sample. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Succinct coverage of many topics
“has a succinct coverage of a broad range of topics from Mathematics; just the right understandable level of rigor”
Comment from 24 Nov 2025 in “Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicists [pdf]” Useful reference for hard topics
“this pdf is a nice reference for things complete unreadably on Wikipedia”
Comment from 24 Nov 2025 in “Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicists [pdf]” Liked after a brief look
“So far, I've only had a brief look at this book and what I've seen I like very much.”
Comment from 24 Nov 2025 in “Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicists [pdf]”
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
Not suited to every reader
“this may not be the most helpful approach for intended readers”
Comment from 24 Nov 2025 in “Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicists [pdf]”
Other calculus textbooks people recommend
The three most recommended other calculus textbooks, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Mixed | Criticize | Approval | Months | Had for | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculusby James Stewart | 9 | 1 | 3 | 75% | 4 | — | — |
| Calculus Made Easyby Silvanus P. Thompson | 5 | 0 | 1 | 83% | 3 | — | — |
| Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicistsby Daniel FleggThis page | 4 | 0 | 4 | 50% | 1 | — | — |
| Elementary Calculus: An Infinitesimal Approachby Keisler | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 2 | — | — |
What people said
All 9 opinions about it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“This book adds complexities to simple concepts.”
“this may not be the most helpful approach for intended readers”
“this pdf is a nice reference for things complete unreadably on Wikipedia”
“This book won't be for everybody, but I'd call that a strength rather than a weakness.”
“has a succinct coverage of a broad range of topics from Mathematics; just the right understandable level of rigor”
“So far, I've only had a brief look at this book and what I've seen I like very much.”
“Book looks like it could be AI generated, nothing remarkable.”
“It just seems to start with a gentle version of real analysis, leading into basic Calculus.”
“The book needs tighter editing and more rigorous reviewing.”
Counts come from 1,791,911 Hacker News comments labeled by Claude, November 2025 to October 2026, with data through October 31, 2026. Counts updated 2 Nov 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.