Ive talked to people about the calculus course, and some told me it was easier than pre-calculus and others said it was difficult. My question to everyone is calculus really that hard? And if one does not have a strong math background, are they able to handle the amount of work?
It can be a whole new way of thinking for most people, but I wouldn’t say the concepts are impossible to grasp or anything. It’s just an adjustment.
Many people struggle with calculus because their algebra skills are weak. It might help to look at this list of [url=<a href=“http://www.math.vanderbilt.edu/%7Eschectex/commerrs/%5Dcommon”>http://www.math.vanderbilt.edu/~schectex/commerrs/]common errors/url and make sure you understand how functions work (domains, ranges, sums, products, compositions, graphs).
Calculus is nothing more than advanced algebra (probably not true). But the point is, if you are good with algebra, you will do fine.
Calculus can be taught in two ways. The typical calculus course emphasizes techniques and mechanics. Taking a derivative, using the chain rule, u-substitution, multiple integrals, how to deal with change of coordinates. It’s useful to understand the concepts behind what you’re doing, but for the most part, it’s about identifying a pattern in the problem and using the right rue. Long calculations can be fairly tedious, but it’s usually not too difficult. Doing well is about getting practice.
An “advanced calculus” course is sometimes an introduction to analysis in a single variable. It’s about understanding the deeper theory and being able to prove results from more rigorous principles of calculus.