[MrBlueSky]

Could the material in this book be reasonably accessible to somebody who has no calculus experience?

[grinich]

The pre-reqs for the accompanying class include both single and multi-variable Calculus, as well as differential equations.

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-01-single-variable...

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-02-multivariable-c...

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-03-differential-eq...

It's a long road, but a very rewarding one. Good luck.

[neutronicus]

No, not at all. The first equation is an integral.

[mechanical_fish]

Classical mechanics bears approximately the same relationship to calculus that calculus does to first-year algebra. You have to have a very good grasp of calculus to appreciate, or even survive, classical mechanics.

[lutorm]

Wasn't the reason Newton invented calculus so that he could calculate mechanics (i.e. Newton's Laws)?

[zeynel1]

if you mean calculus as taught today --no-- newton did not invent that calculus -furthermore- in newtons book known as -principia- newton does not use -calculus- in any shape or form to -calculate- orbits - newton uses only proportions -- but feel free to downvote me for daring to -question- such a cherished -myth- instead of reading -principia- for yourself

[mxyzptlk]

I tried, quickly got lost, and started learning calculus as a result. I still need to get back to SICM.

[namin]

Calculus on Manifolds by Spivak is a good book to read before (the first few chapters anyways).