Hello! I’m scheduling for next years classes and need some input on what math class to take. I’ve gotten a C all year in precalc, and a C/B last year in Algebra II. I have the option to take AP Calc or AP Stats. My teacher recommends that I take AP Stats, but that just doesn’t make sense to me, to take precalc, stats, and then calc.
So, I want to know how harder AP Calc AB is than precalc.
I am taking 2 other AP courses along with math, so that would make 3. I want to major in chemical engineering/biochemistry/or chemistry in college, so math is essential, even though I’m not too great at it.
Planning on taking Bio & Physics my senior year, both AP.
Hey there!
Personally, I found Calc AB to be easier than precalc, if anything. Precalc, just like geometry, are more areas of math that I personally don’t like (more visual, you know what I mean?).
At the same time, taking Calc would be better if you plan on taking AP Physics, which you have just confirmed, since that uses calculus as well.
Okay, the problem is that i’m more of a visual learner, Which is why I’m doing well on the tests atm because we are graphing hyperbolas/parabolas/circles/ellipses so I can see what’s happening when I write down the equation.
AP Calc is inverted in my school (Not sure if that’s with every school), so we go home and watch a lesson online and then come back to class the next day to do homework and ask questions.
That…doesn’t sound like a very good system to me, to be honest.
Well, I’m not saying that AP Calc doesn’t have its share of visual topics. You’ll still be looking at several graphs and all that jazz, but doesn’t really focus on shapes as often as precalc does. At least, that’s how my school went about it.
If you are getting a C in Precalc, you shouldn’t be taking calculus - your odds are high to get a C or actually lower. Take Statistics instead.
What do you want to major in? Will you need to take Calculus in college? Does your high school a “lighter” form of Calculus (non AP)?
Both simultaneously, more math the better took AP stats last school year now I’m in AP calc this year