<p>I am currently a sophomore taking Algebra 2 and I would like to know if it is possible to self-study precalculus before the start of my junior year----the year of which I'm taking my Math Level 2 in the early fall.</p>
<p>One more question, Does studying precalculus help you with AP Calculus?</p>
<p>Some of the sophomore in my school are taking AP Calculus and yet some of them are struggling with it. Does this struggle result from their not taking precalculus after getting 90+ on their Algebra 2 regents and skipping to AP Calculus?</p>
<p>If it were me, I would be able to adapt pretty easily since my mind is far out there already. You have to think a bit more abstractly for Calculus, so it’s certainly a change of pace and a whole different ballgame, especially switching from Algebra II, which is far more graspable. I would definitely try to self-study first, and maybe use your math teacher(s) as a mentor(s) to guide you through it if you ever need help.</p>
<p>I would recommend self-study Trig too, since you’re taking Math II.</p>
<p>In my experience, precalculus doesn’t help much with AP Calculus. In fact I find BC Calculus much easier than precalculus but that could just be my school.</p>
<p>precalculus should be pretty easy to self study. IMHO, precalc hardly has anything to do with calc. the only things carried over are some trig concepts/formulas you have to memorize and… actually I don’t even remember. I don’t even remember what I learned in precalc (that is, I can’t remember the lessons, but given problems I could definitely answer them). that being said, the biggest contribution that class has is prepping you for rigorous coursework and abstract thinking, as opposed to jumping from algebra 2 to calc.</p>
That’s not true. Almost anything taught in most precalculus curricula will appear in future calculus (or other math) courses, though perhaps not immediately.</p>
<p>“possible to self-study precalculus before the start of my junior year”</p>
<p>I did this. It wasn’t too hard.
I’d recommend doing pre-calc before calculus. Even if it’s not directly relevant, it helps to know the information. If I hadn’t taken pre-calc I wouldn’t know anything about trigonometry, which will be important in calculus.
And just being able to study math on your own is an important skill.</p>