<p>As a new member of the Yale class of 2014 I'm looking to take Math 230 this fall.
I'm now doing a BC calc class at my HS and working through Spivak on my own.
What extra preparation would you advise.
Cheers</p>
<p>Hi there! I too am a new member of the class of 2014 and might see you in Maths 230 in the fall!</p>
<p>I don’t know Maths 230 all that well of course, but one thing I might recommend is some linear algebra. Just take a look in your library to see if there are any linear algebra books. Also, by Spivak I assume you mean his ‘Calculus’ rather than his ‘Calculus on Manifolds’ - you might also want to take a look at a non-rigourous text to get an feel for multivariable calculus…</p>
<p>In terms of other textbook recommendations, take a look here: [url=<a href=“http://www.math.yale.edu/public_html/USM/textbooks.html]Textbook”>http://www.math.yale.edu/public_html/USM/textbooks.html]Textbook</a> Information<a href=“it’s%20a%20list%20of%20all%20the%20maths%20texts%20Yale%20uses,%20so%20that%20might%20give%20some%20indication”>/url</a></p>
<p>Wow! I can’t believe the courses are still numbered this way. I took Math 230 (same course number and it looks like basically the same course content) waaaaay back in 1979-80. (I was browsing these forums because one of my sons is applying to HS and figured I’d poke into the Yale threads).</p>
<p>Harvard 23 uses Hubbard & Hubbard and one can find lots of past test online
Yale 230 uses Shifrin , i don’t seem to be able to find past tests
cheers</p>
<p>You’ll be well prepared by taking BC. Parts of the 100 level classes would be almost remedial. And the pace of BC is a good primer.</p>
<p>My son took MV Calc/Linear Algebra while in HS. He will take Math 120 this semester as his first math course at Yale. Math 230 is a notoriously tough class. If you’ve been admitted, I suggest you ask for recommendations from current students on the admitted students’ website.</p>
<p>[Mathematics</a> 230a](<a href=“http://classes.yale.edu/04-05/math230a/]Mathematics”>http://classes.yale.edu/04-05/math230a/). That’s the course page from 04-05. </p>
<p>I think the BC requirement is just the “on paper” requirement. I’d assume that the two main things you would need to know are knowledge of proofs and mathematical maturity. Spivak’s Calculus can help you develop both. </p>
<p>To prepare for the course, I would definitely know Spivak well, and also Linear Algebra Done Right by Axler. For the vector calc portion, I guess know div/grad/curl like the back of your hand eh?</p>
<p>so what is the conclusion on this? I am a scea accept too (GO YALE) and am wondering if i should learn some MV calc and lin-alg beforehand as Math 230 is high on my list.</p>
<p>lergnom: did you take math 230? if so, what was your previous preparation?</p>
<p>wjb: Is your son in 2013 or is he older? What subjects is he focused on. from my freshman friends (who are not interested in math) in math 120, it is closer to what lergnom says about some repetition in the beginning and then is straight MV calc. is there a reason why he wants to repeat his calc? I have no friends in math 230 but they do say that 230 is very hard.</p>
<ol>
<li>Possible chemistry major, possible MB&B major, but has other areas of interest and is still undecided. He won’t be a math major. I think that in networking with other students, including someone from his own high school who also took MV Calc/Linear Algebra there, he decided that 120 would make the most sense for him. When I speak with him next, I’ll see if I can get a more detailed answer.</li>
</ol>
<p>I spoke with my son, who confirms that Math 230 is notoriously difficult and a huge workload – not a reason not to take it, but you do have to consider it in the context of the rest of your workload and your primary interests. </p>
<p>On a substantive level, Math 230 goes right into very proof-based linear algebra. Unless your HS background includes MV Calc that is extremely proof-based, you won’t have the right preparation for 230. Many students wind up dropping it. He describes Math 230 as math for math’s sake. If you’re not a pure math major and need MV Calc for another major, you may not get what you need by taking 230.</p>
<p>He also strongly suggests that you not worry about this now. Next fall you can take the placement test, network with students and professors, shop both 120 and 230, and decide then.</p>
<p>My comment was merely that if you’re a strong math student - and you know if you are - then you’ll likely prefer 230 to the longer progression. Math skills vary so much by individual and it certainly makes sense to look at the material to see if it fits your personal toolbox.</p>
<p>On another thread, a parent poster reports that 40 of the 60 kids originally enrolled in his/her child’s Math 230 class had dropped it by November. The 20 who stayed loved the challenge of learning higher math. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/841425-how-hard-get-4-0-yale.html#post1064021347[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/841425-how-hard-get-4-0-yale.html#post1064021347</a></p>
<p>Totes thought you were referring to your SAT score when I saw the title of this thread. ;)</p>
<p>My son is in 230 right now (it’s a full yr course). He took BC calc, multivariable & linear alg while in HS. But he had not done any proof based work, so 230 was like an entirely new universe to him. It’s a ton of work - like 20 hrs/wk at least, but he absolutely loves it. He might major in math &/or econ and would not even consider dropping the course because, as he told us, he would never have the opportunity to learn this math in any of the regular math courses. If you are a prospective math major and/or really love math and want to learn serious math, then consider 230. It is not for everyone.</p>