<p>"Calculus" may sound tough.. but once you get into it, it really isnt so bad. If you put in 2 hours a day of study there is no reason you should not earn an A. FYI: the TI89 is very helpful, however, don't count on your profs allowing you to use it on exams as they know its capabilities. In all honesty, you do not even need an 89, if you study, and keep up with the class you should do fine.</p>
<p>Goodluck!</p>
<p>I just finished taking Calculus I this semester. I am an econ major and it was required at the school I am transferring to (USC). It was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken, along with Physics. I am not a great math student. I did receive an A in Pre-Calc/Trig. You really have to remember your Algebra II. I found that the hardest part was the Algebra. The actual Calculus is not that hard. For me, the hardest part was doing derivatives before I learned to short cut. That was really dumb. I would not take it for "kicks." You can have fun in other ways. Learn Chinese or something.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I found that the hardest part was the Algebra. The actual Calculus is not that hard.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree. No doubt. In order to do well in calc, all you need is good algebra background. The Calc part is easy.</p>
<p>jrpower6116: it's just as it sounds...for example in the derivatives section in single variable you will be asked:</p>
<p>find the derivative of f(y) = x^2 + 2</p>
<p>in multivariable you would get something like:</p>
<p>find the partial derivatives of: </p>
<p>f(x,y) = x^2 + 2*y * + 3</p>
<p>Thanks - So it's different than implicit differentiation?</p>
<p>Yeah. Implicit differentiation uses the chain rule, so (for example), if you had the equation above equal to zero:</p>
<p>x^2 + 2*y + 3 = 0</p>
<p>you can find dy/dx by doing this:</p>
<p>(d(x^2 + 2*y + 3)/dx) = d0/dx = 0</p>
<p>d(x^2)/dx + 2*(dy/dx) = 0</p>
<p>2x + 2 (dy/dx) = 0</p>
<p>dy/dx = -x</p>
<p>Now, if you're trying to compute the partial derivative with respect to x of </p>
<p>f(x,y) = x^2 + 2*y + 3</p>
<p>that would be:</p>
<p>2x</p>
<p>because you treat y as though it's a constant and don't worry about the idea that y is a function over x. The partial derivative of f with respect to y is</p>
<p>2</p>
<p>-- Mark</p>
<p>just take it... u feel hardcore when u do it</p>
<p>i have a quick question for those of you who have taken calc 3 and 4 as well...is it any harder than 1 and 2? I took calc I + II, and it's completely irrelevent to my major but I kind of liked the classes, is it ever going to be useful to a government major?</p>
<p>I'd like to know the answer to that too masta. Anyone know if it is useful for poli sci majors going into law school?</p>
<p>I dunno what's calculus 4...but I took calculus III and its not that hard...calc 2 for me was hardest..but it might be different for different people</p>
<p>i dont know the names of the actual courses, i was told that there were 4 different calcs you need for engineering, which i originally set out to do but that won't be happening.</p>
<p>I am going to engineering theres only three calc classes, one differential, and one linear algebra I have to take</p>
<p>I actually want to learn calculus sooner or later. I don't need anything other than Statistics for my major so maybe, after I'm done with my B.A. and my M.A., I may go back to a CCC just to take a foreign language (Japanese or Russian perhaps) and Math classes to learn new things. (At that time, I would take the classes CR/NC since grades wouldn't matter then.</p>
<p>how hard it multivaribale calc compared to the calc 1 and 2? Looks like i am going to have to take it.</p>
<p>multi variable is really not that hard. if you understood/got through calc 2 you will be fine for multi-var. at my school, I took calc2 honors and calc3(multi-var) was a rehash. Literally, I was not exposed to new material until the last 3 weeks of the class. Now keep in mind the calc2 class was honors, but still... honors classes are not that far above normal classes. </p>
<p>I personally found diff eq to be a very intuative extention of previously learned calculus concepts. in a vaccum, diff eq is the most difficult, but assuming you have had calc 1-3 I would say diff eq is probvably the easiest class (give all that you know from previous classes). using this same standard, calc 2 is the hardest.</p>
<p>multivariable calc is a piece of cake....</p>
<p>Calculus is the most useful thing that you can find. If you don't use it in a practical way( as an eingenieer or something like that) is math, and everything related with math will develop your logical thinking and by the way your capabilities in making choices. Go ahead!</p>
<p>agreed. advanced math classes may seem like they only have value to engineers, scientists etc. but they develop your critical thinking and problem solving abilities the way nothing else can.</p>
<p>Yeah I think if anything taking calc will prepare me for the LSAT in the sense that I will be brushing up on my analytical and critical thinking skills</p>
<p>People help me out. I took calculus BC and received 5 in high school. I got credit for both calculus I and II for my college but I was wondering if I should take calculus III or calculus II. I am thinking of taking calculus II because I am pretty sure I forgot most of it. My question is, do I have to have a strong background of calculus II materials to do well in calculus III? Are they somewhat independent of one another? Thanks.</p>