Hi!! I am currently an eighth grader taking geometry. I have solid A+ in my class, and I want to take algebra2/trig and pre calc over the summer. It’s two years of math if I’m taking it in high school. Would it be possible to learn algebra2/trig and precalc over the summer with a tutor? If I could, would it be hard to have an A in the Calculus BC class in nineth grade since I did everything just over the summer? I want to take calculus as a freshman so I would have a better chance in math competitions against all of the geniuses in my school. Thanks so much!
It will be a lot harder to keep up in Calculus BC since most of calculus requires a thorough background in Algebra II and Pre-Calc, and learning the backbone of mathematics in a period of just three months may be difficult. However, if you think you are up to the challenge, I would say go ahead. Just recognize that you’ll be covering a lot of mathematics during the summer if you do so!
I would not recommend this. Taking calculus as a freshman will NOT help you with math competitions (most HS math competitions cover algebra 2/precalc level math, but do not include trig). What will help is getting a solid foundation in geometry, algebra 1 and 2, and precalc. Do not rush through your math sequence.
I wouldn’t recommend this. At most, do Algebra 2 Trig over the summer and precalc over freshman year.
@guineagirl96 HMMT February used to have a calculus round. I believe I did one or two math contests in HS where calculus was involved, but the vast majority test only up to topics learned in pre-calculus.
@MelanieGong Unless you know you can handle it, I wouldn’t recommend learning all of algebra 2/trig/pre-calculus in one summer. As guineagirl96 said, it is much better to learn these topics well than to breeze through them and have lots of gaps.