<p>What materials would you reccomend so I don't fail calculus. Basically, I won't get above a C this nine weeks. And that's even pushing it. Yes, I know it's bad. I tried studying with friends (actually studying too!) and I still fail. I try going to the math lab (where a math teacher can help you during a free period) and I still fail. I've tried doing my homework and I still fail. Ironically, I only do half of my homework and I got a C on the last test. I've been to calculus for dummies.com (they have tutorials), still nothing. <em>sigh</em>. My grades on the tests have been 54, 57, and 77. We've been tested over prereqs (+ some parametrics), limits and some derivatives. So I'm not here making excuses, because I've tried, so what do you reccomend (dropping isn't an option because I automatically get an F and I can't pick up another math class)? Anything from books, to CDs, to bribing my teacher (jk! lol!). Thanks for your time.</p>
<p>Do problems from the Princeton Review book (it's for both Calc AB and Calc BC). Which calculator do you have? TI-89's the best.</p>
<p>We're not allowed to use TI-89s (not even the teachers own them). </p>
<p>1 vote for princeton review</p>
<p>What??!! I use it practically every day. My school lent them out to all the Calc kids, and we used them for the calculator sections of the AP test.</p>
<p>We're allowed to use whichever calculator we want in class, but no higher than 83+ on tests.</p>
<p>You can always post specific questions on CC. There are tons of calc lovers (including me!) who would love to help you out. :)</p>
<p>One of my classmates used "Calculus for Dummies" to get himself through first semester last year in AB.</p>
<p>Celebrian--I'm with you! Calculus is from the devil. I don't know much about calculators, but having a TI-89 really, really helps, if only so that you can check your homework as you do it.</p>
<p>Is your problem the calculus, or the algebra? I understand the calculus; I just can't do the algebra. But I have a friend who can do the algebra, but doesn't get the calculus parts. There's different attack strategies (I think???) depending on which your problem is.</p>
<p>Get a tutor. It's worth the $! It also may help to be in a study group.</p>
<p>i second calculus for dummies. most dummies and idiots books arent that helpful, but i found calc for dummies to be exceptionally good.</p>
<p>yea i was in the same boat, i failed 2 tests first six weeks (getting a 100 on the third test is the only thing that kept me alive), now that we have started doing like physics applications of derivatives i am dominating. Basically I think that some concepts are harder for diff. ppl, just hang in there and im sure you'll get something.</p>
<p>Two words: Solutions Manual</p>
<p>Whew! I'm glad I'm not the only one going through this.</p>
<p>I understand the new material(the actual calc) well, but untangling messy algebraic expressions is KILLING me!</p>
<p>It's like they say I guess...."you know when students finally learn their algebra....in calculus."</p>
<p>I'm in Calculus this year too and I actually really like it. The teacher is nice, the concepts seem useful, and I love working out the problems to solve them. I like all of it, except for the grades part. We only have three tests each quarter (2 100 point tests and a 150 point final) and I got a C on the first one:(:(:( It was really disappointing because I had gottens As on the two quizzes we had before and I woke up really early to study for the test. I just made really stupid mistakes like messing up simple alegbra and factoring to find limits:( I think I'll get the Calc. for Dummies book so that I can study from that. I'm also thinking of getting a TI-89 because I heard its really really helpful for calculus and beyond.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I'll make sure to stop by the bookstore this weekend and pick up calculus for dummies. Hopefully I can nail our next test. I have isssues with the algebra at times, but right now I don't really understand the chain rule. :(.</p>
<p>Even if you can't use 89s make sure you know how to take derivatives and integrals on an 83+ so you can double check all your work</p>
<p>We haven't started integrals yet, but I do know how to take derivatives on my 83+. :D</p>
<p>response to chain rule question:</p>
<p>think of your function f(x)=(2x+3)^3
now say U=2x+3
now you have f(x)=U^3
now use the power rule to get 3U^2
now multiply it by the derivative of U which is 2
now you have 6U^2
now substitute U back for 2x+3
6(2x+3)^2
so in essence the chain rule for a function U^b
where b is a constant, and U is a composite function is bU^(b-1)*derivative of U</p>
<p>what!!! how??</p>
<p>how what?</p>
<p>I don't comprende</p>
<p>if it was how[do I take the derivative on 83+] you go to MATH>8 then type in your function, comma, X, comma, a number like 4, then plug 4 into your derivative and it should equal the one the calc spit out</p>