<p>Are they the same class? with a through background of college algebra would precalc be needed for AP calc AB?</p>
<p>They are not the same class. PreCalc covers algebra and trigonometry. However, you can easily learn the basic Trig Identities, the unit circle and do extremely well in AP Calculus AB (in the class and on the exam.) In my personal experience, I was better prepared for the class than my classmates because Calculus tends to be algebra intensive (I took college algebra and learned trigonometry basics over the summer; then went on to get an A in the class and a 5 on the test.) So yes, AP Calculus AB is doable right after College Algebra.</p>
<p>Our pre-calc class covered algebra, trig/transcendental functions(logs and natural logs included), the identities, some basic integral and derivative stuff(like Riemann sums and simple instantatneous rate of change equation), the unit circle, 3D Space, Complex Numbers, Polynomials(in depth), Probability(like Perm and Comb), Parametrics/Projectile Motion, Vectors</p>
<p>Yeah… so I’m not sure what our school’s thinking but yeah</p>
<p>Oh yeah and rational functions</p>
<p>College Algebra in my school is basically a review of Algebra I and II with a different name to make the students feel better about themselves (it might be different in other schools). However that with some basic trig stuff should be enough for the AP exam. You’ll encounter and review all the precalc stuff you need if you take an AP Calculus class.
Make sure you understand Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry well; the Calculus is usually pretty easy, most mistakes on problems are not Calculus ones.</p>