Hey, I’m a high school freshman pretty indulged in math.
Love the subject and usually spend my entire day studying it if I’m not doing my homework or out with my friends.
Recently I’ve been studying a lot of calculus and since the start of the year I’ve been studying pretty hard and think I’ve learned the subject to a point where I can do problems comfortably. Right now I’m in algebra 2 honors, but I think I want to make the jump to calculus by testing out of precalculus.
Anything wanna say about this?
Thanks.
See if you can do a shortened precalc course online over the summer
I would suggest exploring alternative math outlets rather than skipping the value of learning in a classroom setting. Pre-calc has fundamental content that will be important for the future and is one course you don’t want to shortcut.
AoPS has great classes in Number Theory, Probability/Counting, and Algebra that go well beyond what you would learn in school. MIT OpenCourseWare also has courses in Discrete Math and other topics. All of these are sources my D explored (though, admittedly, she still was in Calc as a Sophomore, but acceleration started in 5th grade). They greatly broadened her math horizon compared to sprinting through the standard curriculum.
Read this for some thoughts on the subject:
Don’t Fall into the Calculus Trap
One of my favorite education-related quotes (also applies to jobs) -
If ever you are by far the best, or the most interested, student in a classroom, then you should find another classroom
Algebra 2, precalculus, and calculus all contain a lot of concepts and techniques that you are likely to use many, many, many times in the future. It is worth learning these subjects very well.
I did not take calculus until I was a freshman in university. That did not stop me from getting a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from MIT. The point is not to jump ahead. The point is to learn the basics very solidly.
Ah interesting.
yeah, pretty funny because I already use those resources. I’m not only studying calc my entire day I’m also studying AMC and want to qualify for the AIME. I didn’t take the recent ones because I wasnt able to sign up on time. But yeah. I’ll but some thought into this. Thanks man.
Agree with the sentiments above. My daughter had an amazing honors precalc teacher that she now has for multivariable calculus (after taking Calc BC). If you have the chance to take honors precalc, I would not skip it. It was a challenging course for all, with an emphasis on mathematical thinking rather than rote problem solving. Math is the best, isn’t it?
yeah. But problem solving is a far more important skill because you see. After you reach some point in math you don’t have all the tools to actually think about something comfortably and you have to push yourself. I read the article RIchInPitt sent and I agree with it. That the normal curriculum is not for the top students. For students who actually want to peruse math and not just avoid it as a burden.
Check with your guidance counsellor - some courses are required on a transcript to graduate. Consider taking both Pre-Calc and Calc the same year. Can be done, but rare.
Closing thread as OP is alias of banned member. Hi @m8thical
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