Doubling in Math Classes

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I'm currently a 10th grader in Pre Calculus. However, the majority of my friends are in Calculus BC and will be taking AP Statistics next year. I have quite an interest in mathematics and am contemplating on taking both Calculus BC and AP Statistics next year. I feel mathematics is my strong point and others agree with my decision, however I've heard AP Statistics being a very easy class and Calculus BC being a difficult class? Is this a smart move on my part, or should I wait until senior year to take AP Statistics?
My other question is what I should take senior year. Informal Geometry, Calculus 3, and Abstract Algebra are all half-semester courses, but I can only pick 2 of them. Which of the 2 look better on a college resume?</p>

<p>In case you're wondering, this is our school's "rule" for math classes:</p>

<p>Pre-Calc => Calc AB => AP Statistics
=> Calc BC => AP Statistic => Informal Geometry/Calculus 3/Abstract Algebra</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>First of all:

  1. You’re two years ahead already. Most high schools don’t offer Calculus 3.
  2. It doesn’t matter what your friends are taking.</p>

<p>I don’t see why there would be an issue with taking AP Stats and Calc BC in the same year. They’re completely different types of math.</p>

3

<p>I think you should take AP Stats. It is a pretty easy class (took it as an 8th grader) but requires a lot of writing (for a math class).</p>

4

<p>Thank you for your responses!</p>

<p>@pidude: What do you mean by a lot of writing in AP Statistics? Is there proof writing?</p>

5

<p>I’m currently taking IB Math HL 2 and AP Calc BC. I must say that is not a bad idea after all If you enjoy doing math. Both classes have similar topics and they go along perfectly. I was going to take IB Math HL, AP Calc BC and AP Stats the same year but for some reason, AP stats and AP Physics conflicted. Oh well…</p>

6

<p>Not a lot of proof writing, but more explaining why you are using a certain distribution to assess a certain situation’s probability. Also experimental setup (designing experiments given a hypothesis you desire to test) is something that requires a lot of writing, and probably was my least favorite part of the class.</p>

7

<p>I recommend the geometry (what does informal mean here?) and especially the abstract algebra. Get a taste of proofs and pure mathematics. It can be very satisfying. You can do more calculus in college. Get a feeling for the basics of mathematics</p>