calculus

b0bd0d

I'm taking a calc 1 class and plan to take it up to they make me stop I guess. It's kinda kicking my ass though. Anybody got some good sites? Of course, I'm searching and shit, but Ima ask ya'll. Or a book?

cooljammer00

get a tutor.

swallow your pride and get a tutor. i'm dumb as shit in calculus, and a tutor helps.

Big Dookie

cooljammer00 wrote: »

get a tutor.

swallow your pride and get a tutor. i'm dumb as shit in calculus, and a tutor helps.

Good advice, if you can afford it. You can read tons of material on Calculus, but having someone actually walk you through the concepts in person can make a huge difference. However, until then, here's a good site that can get you started:

Paul's Online Math Notes

It's an online tutorial by a guy named Paul Dawkins, who is actually a professor at the college I go to. I haven't taken him, but I have friends who have, and they all say he is an awesome professor who is very good at explaining complex math concepts in a simple way. The site also has some good reviews in case your Algebra or Trig is rusty.

What concepts specifically are you having trouble with? If you can ask some specific questions, maybe we can help you here.

Iceman.USAF

If you're having issues with a specific section, just ask in a new topic about whichever topic you're struggling with. You'd be surprised how smart the H/A crew is!

Also, DO THE EXAMPLES IN THE BOOK.

Limed for truth.

I struggled in calc IV, but as soon as I started doing the examples and the extra HW, I did fine.

Get to it! Good luck!

Deswa

Also ask questions in class. Even if they are stupid.

Also, if you are lucky, your school provides free tutors.

Big Dookie

Deswa wrote: »

Also ask questions in class. Even if they are stupid.

Also, if you are lucky, your school provides free tutors.

This is true. Departments often offer study sessions on certain days where grad students and tutors will be there in a group setting to help you work through homework and stuff. Ask your professor or other students if your Math department offers something like this. Chances are that they do to at least some degree.

Iceman.USAF

I fully recommend getting buddy buddy with a smart (preferably gorgeous and female) graduate student.).
They can be godsends, and often have the professors ear.

IE, Iceman failed his test, but he really just didn't grasp this one odd specific portion. I think we should let him try again!

Sounds odd, but it DOES happen.

b0bd0d

I'm going to the study help session, looking mad notes up online, working through all the examples in the book. I actually was studying at 12am last night...until I got a call saying come to the bar. Where I got drunk and was thinking about limits in my head while looking at all the pretty legs. My main problem seems to be that I don't know that much stuff bout graphing and basic to mid algebra. I'm a returning student and the last time I had algebra shit was long ago. And even then I didn't care bout it. I just had a semester of trig(got a before I got to this math but I think I need to learn basic stuff. I seem to get stuck because of a simple algebra issue. And for some reason I keep forgetting what a limit is. Stupid brain damage.

whoa, this guy has like whole books up here. Wow.

Al_wat

Big Dookie wrote: »

cooljammer00 wrote: »

get a tutor.

swallow your pride and get a tutor. i'm dumb as shit in calculus, and a tutor helps.

Good advice, if you can afford it. You can read tons of material on Calculus, but having someone actually walk you through the concepts in person can make a huge difference. However, until then, here's a good site that can get you started:

Paul's Online Math Notes

It's an online tutorial by a guy named Paul Dawkins, who is actually a professor at the college I go to. I haven't taken him, but I have friends who have, and they all say he is an awesome professor who is very good at explaining complex math concepts in a simple way. The site also has some good reviews in case your Algebra or Trig is rusty.

What concepts specifically are you having trouble with? If you can ask some specific questions, maybe we can help you here.

Those online math notes are good. In fact, they were better than my professors notes for differential equations. I learned it basically from that site.

Not that you should disregard what the professor is teaching you.

Generally though, do a million problems. Do as many problems as you can. Ones you get stuck on, take to the professor/TA/whoever and get them to help you through them.
Save your solved solutions so that you can study them later.

Jawa

I dont have much advice other than that provided but really just don't fall behind, Calculus is one of those courses that if you fall behind it is really hard to get back on track again.

Demerdar

Algebra is key to calculus. Also, a lot of calculus is recognizing patterns. Cause after a while, you'll start doing derivatives and integrals that have almost the same form time and time again. Though, judging by your post, I don't think you've even gotten that far into calculus. If you need some specific help, don't be afraid to ask.

Folken Fanel

You absolutely have to get very strong in algebra and trigonometry before you really get into calculus. While it is certainly possible to understand the concepts of Calculus, you won't be able to solve any of the problems without that strong background.

Rabid_Llama

Be sure you are thoroughly reading your textbook too.