This text investigates the mathematical principles of approximation and the quantification of nearness within the framework of calculus. The author, William R. Davis, utilizes the Mathematica software environment to bridge theoretical concepts with computational application. The book provides a structured approach to understanding how limits and derivatives function as tools for measuring proximity in complex functions.

This work is categorized as a specialized instructional text for students integrating software-based computation into their calculus curriculum. Educators often cite the book for its focus on the intersection of symbolic logic and digital approximation techniques.