Multivariable Calculus

<p>It was THIRTY YEARS in between, frenchgal! How am I supposed to remember? </p>

<p>Also, math classes are very different now from the way they were in 1983. We didn’t use graphing calculators; I never even saw a TI-81 until the mid-1990s. We didn’t use MATLAB or Wolfram Alpha. I think it would be very hard to compare the classes, even if I hadn’t spent the intervening 30 years trying to suppress all the unpleasant memories from Math 21a.</p>

<p>Sikorsky, I just completed Calculus 3 and received a B- in the course. If I send this transcript to colleges when I apply, how will they regard this grade? I worked pretty hard to receive the grade I did.</p>

<p>I don’t think a B- in multivariable calculus is going to make a lot of difference one way or another, but I don’t have a lot on which to base that opinion. Maybe your guidance counselor or college-placement advisor at school can give you a more informed opinion?</p>

<p>You realize that you could also self-study a bit, prepare your self, and then retake the class spring semester/quarter.</p>

<p>Multivariate shouldn’t be significantly harder than single variable (or at least, in my experience, it isn’t), so my guess is that you are either (a) finding out you don’t know algebra well enough, or (b) you aren’t studying enough/right.</p>

<p>If it is (a) then I suggest you drop the class and relearn algebra.</p>

<p>If it is (b) then I suggest you do as many problems as possible from the textbook. Seriously. Like 2 hours (if not more) of problems per day. Whenever I feel I am not understanding something in a math class, I just do absurd amounts of problems and I understand it perfectly. This strategy also works for students that I tutor.</p>

<p>Either way, good luck. Remember that this isn’t the end of the world.</p>

<p>NWskier,
I completed the course already. I am a junior in high school and my question now is, should I send my transcript to colleges when I am applying? I took BC calc as a sophomore and got a 5 on the ap test and As all three trimesters. Even though I did sorta poorly in multivariate, I feel it will show colleges my dedication and continuation in math. I didn’t take any other math course this year.</p>