<p>Hi, </p>
<p>My name is Matthew and I am an upcoming high school sophomore. I have taken Algebra 1 and Geometry and will take Algebra II next year. I am required to take Calculus senior year but would like to learn it much earlier. Do I need to teach myself Algebra II before teaching myself trig/pre-cal to lead up to Cal. Also, do you recommend any self-teaching books on Algebra II, Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus, and Calculus? I know that's a lot, but thanks.</p>
<p>one more thing, are there any particular algebraic topics that are absolutely essential to learning Calculus? Thanks again</p>
<p>You need a solid foundation in trig and algebra before you can even start thinking about Calculus. Take Algebra II this year, and pre-calculus next summer.</p>
<p>Hold your horses little man. Algebra II is an important course. You will learn the skills necessary to handle the problems presented in calculus. Pre-calculus is just harder version of algebra II and will show you the types of problems you’ll face in calculus just a little simpler. The algebra in calculus really shows up in algebra II so it’s pretty important. There’s nothing wrong about getting ahead, but you’re only a rising sophomore, you’ll have time. Baby steps my friend, it never fails. I took algebra I freshman year, geometry and algebra II sophomore year and just finished junior year with pre-calculus. Now let me tell you, thank goodness for the algebra II class because pre-calculus was just a more detailed reiteration of algebra II. Now going into my senior year, and I’m taking AP calculus AB. Trigonometry is a little weird because some people can really understand it and some don’t. Trig takes a lot of practice, some even memorize the whole unit circle and key equations, some have methods. Trigonometry is KEY! You’ll use trig a lot in calculus and in some schools, it’s a class.</p>
<p>In the end it’s all up to you. Personally, don’t do it unless you’re really up for it. Otherwise, it’s a waste of time. Let’s be real here, calculus isn’t easy, it’s very difficult and one cannot simply learn calculus with algebra I and geometry knowledge.</p>
<p>Thank you for your insight and knowledge. I plan to go ahead with teaching myself these subjects but at a slower and more comprehensive pace–definitely won’t forget Algebra II! Thanks again!</p>
<p>Math isn’t necessarily supposed to work like a ladder or a staircase where you advance from one to the next, eventually ending up at Calculus, the goal for many to reach before they’re a certain age or however…</p>
<p>I’m not very good at explaining my argument, but it is possible to have a thorough understanding of limits, differentiation, etc with what you know now. They’re pretty cool, and why I got introduced to the “tangent line” before I was in algebra 2 and made a name out of it. But you may be neglecting other important topics if you focus only on a Calculus curriculum as if it were the best and only tool to attack math problems.</p>
<p>…Your call at the pace you want. Go all the way… If you’re truly worthy.</p>
<p>I agree with Tangentline, although I started teaching myself Calculus after Algebra II/Trig. Learning math CAN go much smoother if you work up with the traditional “ladder” approach, but it’s not completely necessary. You can certainly understand many Calculus topics without Trig/Algebra II topics.</p>