Skipping a Few Years in Math

<p>Going from pre-calc to AP Calc BC is very difficult...</p>

<p>That is the sequence. Algebra > Geometry > Trig/Alg 2 > Precalc > AP Calc AB or BC</p>

<p>Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought Geometry was the norm for 9th graders. I took it in 8th grade. It doesn't sound like you've skipped anything.
Anyway, geometry, unless you do trig in the class, is pretty much useless. All of the stuff from it that you use for Calc you relearn later, and yes, most people do need to relearn it because it's such incredibly minor stuff. The main themes of geometry are never seen again. So the fact that you are doing well in geometry is pretty much inconsequential when it comes to doing well in BC. And if you did well in Algebra I, the concepts in there are nothing compared to the concepts in BC.
You have no need to skip to BC. You could take Algebra II soph year, Pre Calc junior year, and the BC. Or just take either Algebra II and then Ab and then BC. There's absolutely no reason for you to force yourself into something that you are in all likelihood not ready for. The farthest jump someone I know has done was from 9th grade Algebra II to 10th grade AB. He's doing really well and he could probably handle BC, but he'd do it with difficulty. Don't make your life harder than it needs to be.</p>

<p>Actually, Geometry is for 10th graders in my school. Anyhow, math has always been too easy for me. I don't feel like sitting through more boring classes, that don't challenge me and take 2 weeks to teach what I can learn in a day. I am going to give this a shot, and if it does not work out for me, I don't lose anything.</p>

<p>Initially, I was going to take trig next year and then AP calc BC junior year. That was arranged for me, but I am going to try to skip another year. It has been done before.</p>

<p>lol im doing the geo-ap calc ab thing.</p>

<p>then doing bc by myself.</p>

<p>Oh, really? How is it working out for you? Why didn't you go straight to BC, isn't it either/or?</p>

<p>NOO not for my school.
I have to test out of calc a/b for that.</p>

<p>I'm not self studying
Im just going to take honors alg II/trig then pre-calc over summer.</p>

<p>Precalculus and Algebra II cover many of the same topics (bits of trigonometry fall under both curricula) so skipping one or the other is not that bad. I however do not recommend skipping both because the topics covered are very crucial, especially for calculus. I think that spending just a few months familiarizing yourself with the concepts is not enough; you truly need at least one or two years or else you will struggle in calculus.</p>

<p>If you're insistent on moving ahead take algebra II during the summer and take precalc as a sophomore. It won't kill you.</p>

<p>Then take Calc BC as a junior.</p>

<p>
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Going from pre-calc to AP Calc BC is very difficult...

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</p>

<p>0_o Maybe at your school...</p>

<p>^Well, if OP does go from pre-calc to BC, he needs some time to self-study basic calc... because in BC at my school, there's only one day of review. And we're on the block schedule.</p>

<p>Try it, and maybe instead of AP Calc BC take AB.
Right now I'm a 10th grader, and I'm doubling up in math with Geometry/Analytical Geometry, and Alg II/Trig, and I'm planning on taking AB next year.
If you have mathematical common sense, then you'll be fine.</p>

<p>Thats a good suggestion. I'll try the trig/alg II for the rest of this school year, and I will see how it goes from there.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>I don't think you really want to hear what I have to say, as you seem to disagree with everyone who has given you similar advice, but you did ask a question, so.</p>

<p>I think this would be a very bad idea, and I'm not saying you're not a brilliant math student. Do you have the time to devote to this? Aren't you getting a job this summer and don't you have EC's now? If we're talking about college, they'll be more impressed with these things than with an accelerated maths schedule.</p>

<p>Also, a lot of these topics require, more than active time studying, time to sit and "digest" or "commune" or whatever. If you cram everything in to six months, then you might be skimming over some topics that could A) be really interesting, if you took the time to examine them or B) be important later. (Additionally, in my silly, Romantic opinion, a true math lover should savor the problems and the concepts and use them as a springboard for new ideas rather than guzzling them down like a glutton)</p>

<p>Also, if you're so capable of this, why weren't you on an advanced maths track before? Did this idea just come to you? If not, it would have served you MUCH better to do geometry last summer and precalc this summer. The fact that you didn't do this seems like this may be an impulsive decision, which are generally speaking, not good.</p>

<p>Finally, are you sure you can do all this without a teacher? This is a lot of math you want to "self study", not just the few chapters that seperates BC calc from AB. Do you have anyone who could tutor you if you need assistance (a family member, a friendly teacher, etc)? I think you'll need it. Textbooks can be a b**** to figure out. (I assume you're using your school's standard text for these courses, no? And following the teacher's general syllabus?)</p>

<p>Just my two cents. If you do decide to do it, do it for yourself and because you NEED to learn math and couldn't live without it, not because it'll put you ahead for college or because you want to compete with somebody. You'll be more willing to do the work if you're self-motivated.</p>

<p>that seems a little crazy to go straight to calculus. i took geomtry as a freshman, but skipped algebra 2 and am now taking precaluculus as a sophomore. you shouldn't have a problem at all with skipping algebra 2, the only difference between that and algebra 1 is logs. but i guess i'm a little biased because i love algebra and logs. but i dunno if you should skip precalculus, because you really need a solid foundation before taking calculus. precalculus is pretty easy, but has a lot to do with graphing...the most difficult part 1st semester was cos and sin graphing, but that was only because the teacher was so bad.
i think you should only skip one math at a time, ie, skip algebra 2 and take precalculus as a sophomore.</p>

<p>I'm a sophomore in AP chem and only in Algebra 2. I plan to skip to AP calc AB without pre-cal. AP chem does involve a lot of math but it's relatively simple. But I definitely wouldn't suggest taking AP chem and AP physics in your sophomore year- thats too crazy and unnecessary.</p>

<p>Short answer: Probably not. Unless you are an incredibly fast learner . Though you could definitely do ALG II/TRIG from now till then. If you are doing self study, make sure you are in a good program.</p>