<p>For my Physics major, the math courses I have to take are Cal I-III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Intro to Partial Differential Equations, and Vector Analysis.</p>
<p>I'm currently in Cal II right now. I have an A in Cal I, and I hope to have the same for Cal II, too. Will the classes get increasingly more difficult or stay about the same?</p>
<p>Linear Algebra is quite different from calculus (solving multiple equations/algebra). Differential equations, partial differential equations are applications of calculus.</p>
<p>As long as you have a firm rooting in basic calculus (which you seem to have given your A in Cal I), you should not have any difficulty.</p>
<p>I agree. Most Dif Eq classes are just extensions on some of the ideas of calculus. </p>
<p>But linear algebra is a totally different animal. Usually, you only have to work in 2 or 3 dimensions in calculus, but often times, you'll have more dimensions in linear algebra, so (at least for me) it's hard to visualize your answer, to see if it fits. Usually, people tend to be naturally inclined to one or the other; not both. Not to say that linear algebra is impossible. It's just different, and requires a different kind of thinking.</p>
<p>If you are a Physics major, you should not worry about these courses, which are considered very elementary and straightforward compared to what you will be taking in your junior/senior year. </p>
<p>But to answer your question, most people find Cal II the most difficult among the calculus series. Linear Algebra is a little abstract, but once you get past the basis, range, etc concepts then it's really easy. Partial Differential Equations can be more complex, but not terribly difficult.</p>
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Linear Algebra is quite different from calculus (solving multiple equations/algebra). Differential equations, partial differential equations are applications of calculus.
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<p>Actually, the solution of homogeneous, linear differential equations with constant coefficients is in fact a direct application of linear algebra as is the solution of systems of linear differential equations of the type dx/dt = A x .</p>
<p>calc2>differential equations>calc 3>linear algebra>calc 1</p>
<p>I would not consider partial differential equations an "elementary" class for a physics major.</p>
<p>Calculus II is the hardest, it can destroy you if you have a tough professor.</p>
<p>I have an old Schaum's Outline and Series book of Linear Algebra. I've only skimmed the first chapter at most. It seems interesting, actually. How hard will Vector Analysis be? I have my first Cal II exam this Monday. I've also actually completed practically all of the homework sets, too (>90%). Being a Physics major, I know I have to have a very, very firm grasp of Calculus.</p>
<p>calc II is not that hard.....until it reaches Power Series</p>
<p>Vector analysis is basically Calculus IV. Take everything easy you learned from the other calcs (everything but series) and extend it to higher dimensions. Pretty boring until you get to Green's/Stoke's/Divergence Theorems (which are just higher orders of the FTC).</p>
<p>There is no way Calc II can be harder than Calc III...Calc II integration is a complete joke and the only hard topic in Calc II is probably Series. Calc III however, which I just started is a completely ruining my life right now. Although I did hear it gets easier later on but then hard again...the beginning really is difficult.</p>
<p>I definitely found calc 2 harder. Calc 3 was a bit difficult at the beginning though because you have to think a little bit(when it comes to integrals of paraoloids,cones,hyperboloids,etc.)..its not just all computation. And you're right it does get easier and then hard at the end(divergence,stokes theorem)- i went to class for 3 weeks and never went again coz the teacher was kind of boring- nice guy but lectures were excruciating. Self studied everything myself- ended up with an A-. Calc 2- worked really really hard- got an A.</p>
<p>I think you'll be fine in calc 3 if you practice a lot. Just do several problems. There's only so many types of problems that can appear on exams so practice is the key. Email me if you need any help with calc 3.</p>
<p>hardest math in order:
cal2 > differential equation > cal3 > cal1<br>
well gatech taught cal2 and linear algebra cramed up together teaching cal2 in half semester and linear algebra in other half... talk about overkill.</p>
For me cal 3 was way harder than cal 2. I really can’t understand why so many people rate cal 2 as the most difficult. For my cal 3 course everything thing from cal 1 and cal 2 is used but with 3 variables. I suppose you can plug and chug when graphing the functions but to be able to look at the functions, graph them, find the points of intersection, choose a coordinate system to work in and the order of integration and then integrate the double or triple integral given a time period takes skill…Not to mention finding the curvature, the equation of a osculating circle at a point on a curve, torsion, TNB…etc. I suppose the professor will ultimately determine how difficult the course will be, but in reality Calculus 3/ multivariable calculus/ Vector Calculus or whatever your school calls it is very deep and can be much more difficult than cal 2… Likewise it’s much more interesting. I should mention my professor was ruthless.
We are quickly approaching the ten year anniversary of this threads death. There’s no plus in trying to revive it. Let it rest in peace. 
Any analysis course is going to be your hardest mathematics course because it involves proofs, and partial differential equations would be a very very close second though because of how tedious and difficult the problems are. So vector analysis is going to be the hardest course hands down because you’re going to have to think a lot more abstractly and logically and rationally than you’re used to because you’re having to prove why something is logically and rationally correct then comes partial differential equations and everything behind those are not very difficult should be fairly easy.
Calculus II is not hard at all. Most of the people just drill the techniques of differentiation and think they have learned calculus I. When it came to Calculus II, the drills are not straight forward and find out that they have to use their brains. Since they are using their brains for first time, it seems complicated. I would say Calculus 3 is harder between 1,2, 3 and differential equation. Intro to partial differential equation and vector analysis are meant to be advance.
OK, Calculus II is not hard at all. I hear you loud and clear. However, so sorry this thread is dead and has been dead for years.