Active Calculus is different from most existing calculus texts in at least the following ways: the text is freely readable online in HTML format and is also available for in PDF
in the electronic format, graphics are in full color and there are live links to java applets
version 2.0 now contains WeBWorK exercises in each chapter, which are fully interactive in the HTML format and included in print in the PDF
the text is open source, and interested users can gain access to the original source files on GitHub
the style of the text requires students to be active learners - there are very few worked examples in the text, with there instead being 3-4 activities per section that engage students in connecting ideas, solving problems, and developing understanding of key calculus concepts
each section begins with motivating questions, a brief introduction, and a preview activity, all of which are designed to be read and completed prior to class
following the WeBWorK exercises in each section, there are several challenging problems that require students to connect key ideas and write to communicate their understanding.