Taking intro Calculus

billy g46

Alright, this is an Alt because this is pretty embarassing to admit, but I'm taking Calculus I next semester in University and I am freaked out of my mind about it. I last took Math in High School 3 years ago, and then went to get a lot of general Arts education where I did well, but now I want to do some upper-level Economics so I am going to need Intro Calculus.

When I did Math in High School, I paid no attention, did no work in class or out of it, and got around 80% but the class was super easy. I have done nothing except Intro Statistics and basic algebra in other courses since then. I think I might be fucked for this course next semester. I'm committing myself to learning the material and getting a ton of help from my Engineer friends (of which I have many), going to help and review sessions, and working my butt off (like I haven't had to do, at all, at University so it will be tough). I might also only take 4 courses instead of 5 next semester because I won't be graduating on time anyway (not a grades issue but it took me a little while to find out what I wanted to do so I've taken a few courses I didn't need)...I don't know, is that a cop-out? Will it help appreciably?

So the problem is, I haven't done Math since High School, I recall next to nothing, I'm committed to trying my best but I am really worried about this course. Am I fucked? Any quick websites I can review on over Xmas break? And any tips for what to do in a course I'll actually have to do work in for a whole semester instead of just cramming right before the exam?

dispatch.o

If you havent taken math in three years I wouldn't start with calculus. For serious, take some refresher courses at a community college or something first so it wont impact your gpa and cost a ton.

GoodOmens

I like Purplemath.com, though it may be a bit too basic (it focuses mostly on basic algebra). You'll want to make sure that you spend a good chunk of time on more advanced functions (things like exponential, logarithmic and trig functions).

The difficulty with calc isn't so much mechanical as conceptual. Calculus is a fundamentally different way of looking at math, because it's about changing situations as opposed to the static situations in algebra.

The first "real" calculus topic you'll encounter is derivatives. It's not all that difficult to find the derivative of a function, because there's a set of rules to follow and if you follow them correctly, you're done. My students can generally find the derivative of just about any function I give them now. But if you don't understand what the derivative means, you're sunk.

acidlacedpenguin

I was in a similar situation to yours back 4 years ago when I started University. I opted to go for the full year refresher+intro calc combo and ended up with a B+.

I passed the second term of calculus 1 during the summer session of this year after having failed it 3 times and dropped it twice.

I wouldn't have failed it so many times if I actually sat down every single day and did questions from the textbook (that's how I passed it this time around)

From my experience I'll say to try and limit yourself to that being the one and only "hard" course in the term so that you can focus primarily on calc. Also, ask your prof questions or go to your school's math help center if you have problems.

physi_marc

You should definitely review algebra and trigonometry. You're the only one who knows if your situation warrants taking a full math class to review it.

In all cases, check out this website for a nice review (and MUCH MORE!): http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Extras/AlgebraTrigReview/AlgebraTrigIntro.aspx

That website even has tips on how to study for math.

Cold Koala

In a basic Calc I class, the problem is often algebra skills, not the actual calculus. So make sure you know how to work with fractions, how to multiply complicated expressions, etc. Also relearn your trig.

If you can feel comfortable with the above stuff then you'll be free to spend your time learning the actual calculus, which isn't all that hard in a Calc I class as long as your fundamentals are strong.

Casually Hardcore

The hardest thing about Calculus is the Algebra, recognizing trig identities is probably the second hardest.

But do yourself a favor and dont go 'lolz I can use a note card on test so me no need to memorize!'. You dont believe how many people get burn when they go to a professor who actually wants you to learn calc, and not allow scientific calculators and note cards.

But dont worry too much. I used to dislike math untill I gotten into Calculus, cause from there it's more like a puzzle game then plugging and chugging.

Treeloot

I was kind of worried about going into calculus since it had been over a year since I took pre-calculus. I took it anyway, studied hard, and got a B.

Does your school have calculus tutors you can use? I went to calc tutoring and talked to my professor several times to get help when I got stuck or confused. Do you by any chance have a "refresher calc" course? My school offered a calculus class this semester that lasted twice as many hours as regular calculus so they could fit in more review.

You should definitely review algebra and trigonometry. I think algebra mistakes probably cost me more points on exams than calculus mistakes did. For trigonometry, make sure you know the unit circle and what it means. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Unit_circle_angles.svg In high school I got to use a print out of the unit circle and assumed I would get to use in in college too.

Lemming

Algebra and trigonometry are probably the most important things to know going into Calculus. Being good at algebra is the probably the best way to do well in the class.

Orestes

Math is like riding a bike... sometimes.

Fortunently, Calc is heavily dependant on algebra. And a lot of the new math you need to know is the stuff they teach you.

So if you can remember basic algebra rules you should be fine. Most Intro to Calc courses give you trig identities you need to use, as well as all other basic formulas. And try to find out if the course is pure Calculus (I.E. derivatives, and maybe some integration) or if it has number theory mixed in it, from my experiance a lot of calc courses mix in number theory, and that's what kills a lot of people.

I mean, it's an Intro to Calc class, because you're trying to learn calc, so they will teach you everything you need to know. Most Intro to Calc classes start on an assumtion that you're proficent in algebra, but that's about it.

Also, here's a tip for when you get to it.

All trig functions starting with the letter "c" have a negative derivative. It comes in handy if you don't get a formulas sheet.