<p>Hi, I'm currently a freshman in high school and I am debating on whether or not I should take Precalculus over the summer. My friends who have already taken it over the summer say the teacher is very good but extremely hard. Everyone gets 40s and grades like that but he also curves. Only a few people made A's in his class (that is, his summer class). I want to take it to get ahead. Is it worth taking it and getting a B or C (and affecting my GPA)? Or should I just take it during the school year instead?</p>
<p>Are you not far enough? Take it during the school year, geez.</p>
<p>Google/web search the “Calculus Trap”, since you’re want to accelerate even more…</p>
<p>What math class do people normally take at your school? At mine, the highest track goes Algebra II H, Pre-calc H, AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC. There’s a couple of sophomores that skipped pre-calc to take calc as sophomores, and they’re not doing so hot, so I’d be careful.</p>
<p>Also, have you taken geometry?</p>
<p>Our school’s highest usual track is Geometry H/Algebra 2 H/Precalc H/Calc BC </p>
<p>I got into Honors Algebra 2 as a freshman, but this is relatively rare. Granted, our classes have relatively high standards. In Honors Algebra 2, we’ve already covered linear equations, compound, linear, absolute value inequalities, algebraic proofs, even/odd functions, domain, range, slope-intercept/point-slope/standard form, graphing systems of equations/inequalities, piecewise functions, linear regression,systems of equations, row reduction, matrices and Cramer’s Rule/determinants/inverses/etc., factoring, simplifying, and solving quadratic equations, complex numbers, quadratic inequalities, polynomial equations, synthetic division, the rational roots theorem, Descartes Rule of Signs, Lowest Upper Bound and Greatest Lower Bound, division of polynomials, Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, simplifying radicals, and rational exponents</p>
<p>I have a high A, but I still think it’s more difficult than most Algebra 2 Honors classes, just by looking at Yahoo Answers Homework Help and knowing friends in other schools saying stuff about quadratic equations.</p>
<p>cheerioswithmilk, most people take pretty high math classes. There are freshman in AP Calc AB/BC. I believe the highest math class that my school offers is AP Calc 3/differential equations. I have taken geometry and did very well in the class. I am also doing well in alg 2 right now too.</p>
<p>*I meant at my high school, that is.</p>
<p>There is no AP Calc 3/DE…</p>
<p>… anyways. You might as well do it, if you’re really interested. If there’s people with very high math classes in your school, then it’s only natural you indeed try to reach those tops.</p>
<p>Since your school is clearly WAY more competitive than mine, I’m really not sure what to say…</p>
<p>I took pre-cal and algebra 2 as a freshman and now am in love with AP calc AB as a sophomore, so don’t let it intimidate you! You do seem to be covering more than typical honors algebra 2 classes. If you like math/have a high A, go for it! Also, you might be able to take some college classes at the local college, which is fun if you pick the right classes 
I don’t know about most counties, I had to bend the rules to take some classes over the summer at college, but they might let you if you feel like it! You seem incredibly smart, I wouldn’t worry too much. Remember, if you put enough effort into any class, you can get an A.</p>
<p>I would recommend taking precalc over the summer. You don’t want to be in that class for a year because it’s somewhat slow and half of it overlaps with Algebra 2. You don’t even need precalc for AP Calculus. I took AP Calculus Junior year and after the AP test there was a month left, so the teacher taught us some pre-calc as well as some more advanced stuff. Pre-calc is a waste of a year. Plus if you take it in the summer you can take more advanced math classes you junior and senior year. I am a senior and I am taking abstract algebra this year + stats.</p>