Contrary to what one would expect, he does not concentrate on common mistakes that students make but rather on contrived and sometimes farfetched errors...Written in a humorous vein that encourages one to realize that mathematics is very often enjoyable, even to the novice, the book contains sound advice that ithe student might heed in order to avoid unnecessary errors....This essay certainly helps to bring mathematics to its rightful place — the real world.
— CHOICE
Coping with mistakes attracts scant attention in textbooks. Misteaks classifies common faults and fault-detection methods in introductory calculus. Is the answer sensible? Check special and extreme cases, the geometry, dimensions, geometric and algebraic symmetry, etc.. All teachers must wish students would master the material in this entertaining yet serious book.
— MATHEMATIKA
This unusual, but very useful, how-not-to book is available in a second edition which eliminates most involuntary mistakes. Three well-known teachers have testified to its value:
Barry Cipra has written one of the most entertaining pieces I have read in a long while. Whether you are in the process of learning calculus or teaching it, using calculus regularly or revisiting it, you will find this book a sheer delight. You will also find a lot of good advice about how to tell when your calculations have gone wrong.
— Ross L. Finney, coauthor of Calculus and Analytic Geometry
The title of this light-hearted and amusing book might well have been 'Going Grey in Elementary Calculus and How to Avoid It.' Changing the metaphor, Barry has hit the nail on the finger in hundreds of fine examples.
— Philip J. Davis, coauthor of The Mathematical Experience
How I wish that something like this had been available when I was a student!
— Ralph P. Boas, former editor of THE AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL MONTHLY — This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.