<pre><code> -out of school for 10 years
-sucked at math back then
-want to be an engineer
-first semester done, I was AMAZING
-taking Calc I in 2 weeks
-more frightened of the calculus than Rick Perry is of 2+2=x
</code></pre>
<p>QUESTION: </p>
<pre><code> -how can I know that I am ready for Calc I?
-100% final grade in Pre-calc last semester, but prof went easy on us(4/30 got 100's)
-Pre-calc class is the only math I've had in 10 years
-don't feel confident that I have retained everything from pre-calc
-is pre-calc sufficient for success? Does my grade say "you ARE ready!"?
-is success in calc based on basic math aptitude? trig? algebra? intuitive understanding
of the deeper concepts behind limits and derivatives? having a philisophical
understanding of things like infinity and instant velocity, etc.?
-In the next 2 weeks should I; study a calc book? study a pre-calc book? study a trig book?
</code></pre>
<p>Knowing basic trig identities help occasionally and knowing your unit circle may possibly be the most precalc you need. I personally never took precalc and did pretty well</p>
<p>Math can be one of those things that people just tend to be intimidated by. I know I do it too, and I really like math. More than likely when you used to hate math, you didn’t have the same drive or work ethic as you do now. When I ‘hated’ some thing, it was usually because I was lazy (not saying this is you). </p>
<p>Calc I can be a lot scarier than it really is. You just really need to get the concepts, and do lots of problems. Try to see what is going on so you can apply it. Put the time in, pick a good teacher, and things will go just fine.</p>
<p>Don’t fret. The concepts of calculus are easy and laughable to learn.</p>
<p>The hard part is doing so much algebra. And sometimes outright memorizing some integral tables and trig identities. There’s plenty of calculus preparation examinations, with an example being ucbalumnus’s.</p>
<p>Calculus is not supposed to be ‘hard’. I don’t know why that BS is still flowing around with something that’s been circulating for over 300 years.</p>
<p>Hmm. Look. Calculus is not evil. Procastination is evil. You are returning to school. You are eager to succeed and make a change in your life. You are not going to fail. Don’t be afraid. When I went to college, I already had a year of calculus in HS, and I still had to do exericses to make calculus more natural to me after a summer…</p>
<p>People are not going to remember everything You will keep on going back to your pre-calculus book and algebra book when you forget something (how to solve exponential equation, how to use log, for example…) You are going to keep a good math notebook for yourself. Write down simple examples and how to solve them. THen when you have a hard time remembering, go back to that notebook. I still go back to my clauclus 3 book when I don’t remember how to solve Series problems…</p>
<p>:) If you do caluclus for a month, almost every day in your job, you are forced to remember each little step, and not going to make mistakes.
Way to go :)</p>
<p>Eventually you will laugh at the fact that you thought Calc 1 was hard. Use khan academy and patrickJMT to brush up. Once you get comfortable with the notation, the concepts aren’t tough at all. </p>
<p>How quick you pick it up depends on knowing how you learn most efficiently, and then doing that. Some people can pick up on the notation quickly and a typical math text will suffice, these are usually the people that love math and then teach math and then write the textbooks and the loop of ****ty notation-filled-harder-than-it-has-to-be teaching continues. Some people (like me) get thrown off by all the notation and just need someone to explain it to them in plain terms. I’ve found books like “X for dummies” and online videos help a lot.</p>
<p>When integrating, mathematicians see it as a limit as x approaches infinity. Engineers see it as an area under a curve, useful for calculating power or how much paint to buy. Calculus is a tool you will need for just about every subsequent course, so make sure you learn it well. Every one of us has an upper conceptual limit in math, but judging from your easy A in pre-calc, you have a few more course at least before you find yours.</p>
<p>1) Go to every class, 2) read ahead in the book so you understand the lectures, and 3) seek help immediately if you are having trouble with a concept.</p>
<p>Trust me, a lot of people passing in Calc did not get A’s in precalc. In my experience, your grade in precalc is a decent indicator of how you’ll do in Calc I. Calc II is a bit harder. Calc IS a little different than algebra, so some people say Calc can be either harder or easier depending on the person - but I just think it’s a function of your work ethic if you’re reasonably smart. If you’re someone that really struggles with math concepts, it may be harder, but I am pretty sure your precalc performance would expose you.</p>
<p>Calculus 1-3 are cake walks compared to the engineering classes. You just have to recognize the problem type and apply some method to solve it. There is very little creative problem solving required, although the algebra can get very messy at times. </p>
<p>Came across my own post and thought I’d say thanks to all of you that replied. I followed all of your advice and it has worked out well. I have a 98% average going into final exams…you were right, Calculus is nothing to fear. Thanks again and wish me luck in Calc II!</p>
You will keep on going back to your pre-calculus book and algebra book when you forget something (how to solve exponential equation, how to use log, for example…) You are going to keep a good math notebook for yourself. Write down simple examples and how to solve them. THen when you have a hard time remembering, go back to that notebook. I still go back to my clauclus 3 book when I don’t remember how to solve Series problems…</p>