AP calculus AB, need help?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>I'm in honors trig right now. The department chair signed off for me to talk honors trig with calc. Anyways, in calc it takes me a long time to comprehend things. As it is in any math class. I truly have to go home and practice because I not focus in class that much. Is there any kind of resource to help me through AP calc? I'm just nervous bc math isn't my best best best subject and in order for me to get an A its the only class I have to study for which aggrivates me.</p>

<p>I'm jealous of all you math geniuses :)</p>

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<p>You’re taking AP Calc while you’re taking trig…?
Maybe you should finish trig first.</p>

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<p>My teacher said that there isn’t that much trig, and I will learn enough trig as I’m going for calc. Is trig that essential to know before going in calc?</p>

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<p>Have you even taken precalc yet? Usually you take trig along or near Algebra 2, which is very different from calc. Have you taken that?(Sorry if I’m totally oblivious and you have taken those classes already, if so then you’re probably fine. AB isn’t that hard)</p>

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<p>Lol it’s okay. I have taken algebra 2. Right now the trig class I’m in is considered trig/pre calc. But we dont have an official pre calc. So what do you think?</p>

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<p>Yes, in my opinion. I did quite a bit of research concerning this; trig identities and the Unit Circle need to be MEMORIZED. Also, your Algebra skills need to be on par.</p>

<p>I think you should opt out of AP Calculus AB. I was considering skipping PreCalc/Trig, but after some reading, I think it’d be beneficial for me to take it. Why? Taking PreCalc will most likely give you the solid foundation in Algebra that you’ll need in Calculus. I don’t know why some juniors/seniors at my school are taking both. It boggles my mind. Finish PreCalc/Trig first…</p>

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<p>If you still wanna try, check out Khan Academy.</p>

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<p>^Agreed, that site is very helpful, it was made by this crazy-smart valedictorian Ivy graduate who constantly uploads videos explaining school subjects from history to calculus to finance to basic addition.</p>

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<p>From someone that self-studied AB and took calc 2, not really. Knowing the unit circle is important, but for the most part you really don’t need to know the trig identities - there are three or four basic ones that help, but even then the identities don’t come up until very late into the AP calc syllabus (once you get to transcendental functions).</p>

<p>And yes, kahn academy is awesome.</p>

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<p>OP said that it takes him/her a while to comprehend things. Not memorizing the identities could hinder that. I agree with everyone else. Use Khan Academy as a supplement to your class if you still want to take BC.</p>

<p>I’m considered good at math, but even I won’t skip Trig. Lacking some basic foundations, especially if you’re not an avid math student can destroy you later on.</p>

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<p>You don’t really “need” trig to do well in calc, all you need is a decent grasp on algebra 2.</p>

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<p>If u want to succeed in AP Calc AB you must have mastered the following:

  1. Understanding Functions and graphs
  2. Polynomial and rational functions
  3. Limits
  4. Exponential and logarthimic functions
  5. TRIG Functions
  6. analytic TRIG
    6.5) You need some knowledge of anayltic geometry(for implicit differentiation kinda)</p>
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<p>Hi! The number one resource I used when I took AP Calc was Paul’s Online Notes. Just look them up on google, and you’ll find them immediately! They’re insanely helpful, and pairing it up with khanacademy will be tremendously useful.</p>

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<p>Oh okay thanks everyone! If I feel I can’t handle the ap calc I’m going to take anatomy honors. My teacher is really bad too and it sucks when u have such a difficult subject with a teacher that doesn’t know how to teach.</p>

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<p>Good luck. Especially with a bad teacher, it’ll be even more challenging. I am not trying to discourage you. It’s just the truth IMO. I think I have a bad math teacher too; doesn’t even teach the concepts asked in the book…</p>