<p>Hey everyone, I'm a 12 year old 7th going on 8th grader.
I'm currently taking Geometry over the summer (skipped 7th Math and Intro, took Algebra in 7th grade, taking Geo over summer) and am finding it pretty easy. So far I have an A+ on the first semester (second semester just started). I'm pretty sure I'll pass the course, and am planning to take Algebra 2 in the fall of 8th grade.
However, I'm wondering if I should take it one step farther and try to take pre calc over the summer of 8th-9th grade. My parents didn't really approve that much of taking Geo over the summer, saying that it'll take too much time, and I'm not sure what they'd say to this. Also, my counselor is pretty conceited and didn't want me taking Alg 2 in the fall because it causes a lot of schedule problems for him. Another problem is that I'm fairly sure the summer schools in my school district don't have pre-calc over the summer as an option, but I know a guy who came to my summer school from another district (10-11 grader) and he's still getting credit for Geo.
I'm not even sure how hard pre-calc is, because I don't have a tutor or anyone who helps me. My mom and dad only remember parts of what they learned back in high school, and because they grew up in a different country, they had a different curriculum.
Should I attempt to take the advanced course, or should I just give it up? I should probably start talking to my counselor once 8th grade starts because it takes a long time to convince him.</p>
<p>What’s your motivation for bulldozing through all of this? College? Interest in math? Peer pressure? Wish to challenge yourself?</p>
<p>If it’s not genuine interest in math or the challenge, well, honestly it may not make that big a difference in college admissions unless you enter math competitions and do extremely well.</p>
<p>If it IS genuine interest in math or the challenge, or whatever, then, well, pre-calc is basically algebra and trigonometry. I personally needed a few months to work my head around trig, but then again, I never really worked that hard at math as a middle-schooler. If algebra is your thing and you have a knack for math, I don’t see why you can’t do precalc over the summer (if time allows, which is up to your own discretion), especially since you’re already on such an accelerated track. There are also a number of free online courses you can take (MIT OpenCourseWare, for instance) or perhaps people in your community (older friends or supportive teachers) who may be willing to help or point out resources. You may even be able to borrow textbooks from the library. PurpleMath is also good for trig basics, and Harvey Mudd has a few tutorials on select precalc topics. </p>
<p>I think that the above article is really on point.
Honestly, I would not take pre-calc over the summer. By the time you can take Calc I, or maybe even progress to II or III, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, etc., assuming that those are classes that a normal high school doesn’t offer, you will have forgotten much of pre-calc (though, admittedly, you don’t use a large amount of it in calculus I & II. You mostly need to remember polar and parametric eqns, trig, graphing, and “basic” algebra skills such as dividing polynomial eqns the long way. Colleges will NOT give you a calculator in Calculus as well).
Going to college as anything below an 11-12th grader is NOT a good idea, even if you are just as smart as they are. There’s just too much responsibility and so many things that can go wrong. You may not like that I’m saying this, but I’m saying that because I know there’s no way in hell my 13-15yr old self could have made it through a semester of college even though I was fairly responsible. I went as a senior (18) and some college kids treated me differently even though they were 18 as well and had simply graduated a semester early (what’s the difference??). </p>
<p>I think that the MOST important thing you should do right now is talk to your parents. They, as well as your school counselor, do not seem to be very supportive of your interest in higher level mathematics. Look for opportunities outside of your school, or even an after school math club such as math league. The problems they will have will be much more difficult and engaging than the ones you will find in a normal high school setting, or even college, and I think you will find a lot more satisfaction with them. Not to mention, you will also be around other people who like math and are good at it! Good luck, hope I helped :)</p>
<p>Before you do that, make sure you know what your options are for math after Calc BC. S17 had a friend who took the community college equivalent of Calc AB the summer between 8th and 9th. The problem was, that most of the 2nd semester calc sections are offered in spring, so there was no Calc for him to take fall of freshman year. He couldn’t get into AP Stats, because seniors and juniors have priority registering for that. So, all he could do for math was to TA in a lower math class. He may have taken something online (AoPS), but that doesn’t get on transcripts here.</p>
<p>So, if you are thinking you will go dual-enrollment after Calc, look at how many spaces are available to register in the class at the point where high school students can register (usually lowest priority).</p>
<p>I’m not sure we have room to talk, because S17 is taking Calc BC sophomore year. But, it looks like there are enough options here for 4 more semesters of math after that. 6 more semesters would be difficult.</p>
<p>Too young, too surprising. But great job, kid.</p>
<p>I would recommend you to slow down a bit, if not much. College is way too far, and you don’t only need the materials for the ACT. You also need your brain to mature. Believe me, your understanding and view of the world would change 359.9 degrees every year, and a 12-year-old does not solve problems like a 16- or 17-year old. Also, focus more on other subjects. Challenge yourself with biology and social studies and maybe even languages, since you are way off.</p>
<p>" Also, my counselor is pretty conceited and didn’t want me taking Alg 2 in the fall because it causes a lot of schedule problems for him."</p>
<p>I’m not sure what conceit has to do with this. It causes schedule problems for YOU. You may find yourself having to leave certain classes early, miss lunch with your friends, give up electives, drop out of activities, etc. Or maybe you won’t. But if it is going to cause schedule problems, you have to decide if those problems are worth living with so that you can take the math.</p>
<p>“Another problem is that I’m fairly sure the summer schools in my school district don’t have pre-calc over the summer as an option”</p>
<p>Well then, what is your plan? Are your parents willing to pay tuition for a different program? What programs would be accepted by your high school? Or are you able to learn it on your own, and would your school accept that?</p>
<p>", but I know a guy who came to my summer school from another district (10-11 grader) and he’s still getting credit for Geo." Not sure what this has to do with it. </p>
<p>Summer school math classes are often taught at a “regular” level. I don’t know if this is the case in your current program, but you might find the expectations rather higher when you get back into school year coursework. You will want to find an honors level precalculus course. </p>
<p>You haven’t given any indication of why you are doing this. Do you love math? Have your math classes been way too easy for you and are you looking for more challenge? Can you also find that in competition programs such as Mathcounts? What are you going to do in high school once you finish the high school math program, and have you thought seriously about what this entails (eg. tuition, transportation, scheduling)? Will you be unhappy if you have to stop taking math for a while? It might be worth talking to other students who have done what you are proposing and see how that worked out for them.</p>
<p>DiscipulusBonus gave you a link to an excellent article on AoPS. I’d also suggest that rather than pushing forward on the standard path over summers, you look into AoPS’ number theory and counting and probability classes. They can be a big help with math competitions. If you love math for math’s sake, not just to be ahead, look for a Math Circle and for ways to enter math competitions such as AMC8/10/12, Math League, ARML, and more. They are a great way to meet other people who like math. Start a math club at your middle school if there isn’t one already.</p>
<p>Taking pre-cal before high school is the worst idea ever. Stop skipping through math courses over the summer. I have been there and I can tell you that even if you think a class is too easy, don’t skip it. You always learn more in a class than you can online. You may think that Algebra and geometry is easy and that you can easily skip those, but once you get into pre-cal, things get pretty complicated and it becomes very difficult to teach yourself. Also, it is nearly impossible to finish two semesters worth of pre-cal into one summer, unless (no offense) you have no social life and spend every minute doing math. its do able for algebra and geometry but remember that pre-cal isn’t the same. The question you should be asking yourself is “why am I in such a rush to skip all these maths?”. It’s always nice to be ahead but it comes to a point where it is completely irrational. What is your reasoning? Why don’t you just take pre-cal in high school to get a complete understanding on the subject so you excel at other math courses. You may think that I have no idea what i’m talking about but I almost made the same mistake. I skipped algebra 1, geometry, & algebra 2. It was all easy for me, but then I realized what is the rush to skip all these? Just enjoy being 12, what’s the rush to grow up? you will have PLENTY of time to take all sorts of math classes later on.</p>