Hello Everyone
This fall I will be attending a college and pursing a degree in Mechanical Engineering (I am an incoming freshman). I recently started to sign up for classes that I want to take, but as I start choosing a math class, I do not know what is the best option for me.
So in highschool, I took both Calc AB AP and Calc BC AP, and I got 4 on both exams. My college accepts both credits, and recommended me to take Calc 3, which is multi-variable calculus. I know that I will be fine in calc 1, but here’s the problem. I understood pretty much everything in Calc 2 (All my test grades are over 85% with little to no studying), however, I struggled with all the sequence stuff (got really bad grades on it.) for some reason. I just don’t understand sequence.
So, should I retake calc 2 in college? or should I just move on and take calc 3? Also does calc 3 have any sequence stuff in it? Thanks for your advice.
If you aren’t 100% sure about it, there’s no shame in taking Calc II again. In fact, I think it’s recommended that students retake them if they can, just so they are taught in the school’s environment.
It’s a waste of time and money to repeat if you are ready to move forward and that’s the important caveat, ready to move forward. Fortunately you can verify if you are or aren’t. Get the Calc II syllabus and old tests from your school. See how you do. They are usually available online, but if not, just call your school’s math department and ask them. Tell them you want them to verify your readiness to move forward. If it’s completely overwhelming, repeat it in college. If you have a few knowledge gaps, review on Kahn Academy and start in Calc III. That is exactly what my son did. He reviewed series a bit, started in Calc III and has been doing fine ever since. Good luck.
You might want to take a look at the Calculus II content on the MIT Open Courseware website.
Did practice sequence problems over the summer?