hi,
How hard is pre calculus through analytic geometry & Calculus 4? Analytic Geometry combined with calculus 1, 2 ,3 and 4? I am taking taking pre algebra at a community college but mathematics is my major and some time within the years i would need to take calculus.
don't worry about it. you're at pre algebra, get through that first.Originally Posted by php111
if you decided to major in math, i would think you have some ability. if you work at it, you should get it. calculus can be hard, but its fun. if you're like the average math major, chances are you will enjoy it.
just take it one day at a time, and you will be fine. if you are really worried, you can spend some time and go ahead of your class to see what to expect
you can think of calculus as advanced algebra. so if you get extremely good with the rules of algebra, you shouldn't have too much trouble. you also need some background with geometry. i can't really tell you what is required for all 4 parts. it may overwhelm you
other than that, just work hard (or smart).
i would not recommend you start worrying over calculus right now, it would probably do more harm than good. you can probably check out some stuff about precalculus though. get a syllabus and just browse through the topics. do a little web searching here and there, or get a text book and work through some topics if you are sufficiently interested
Your question was answered already. What you need to do is good at whatever you are studying now. It all builds from the ground. It's not a great secret, but it is likely you would not have a clue what anyone was talking about if a full description was offered. If you REALLY want to see (and I'll use "see" rather than "know"), go poke around a calculus section on this board. I'm telling you now, if you're in pre-algebra, you will get very, very little out of it, except maybe fear.
Get good at Algebra
Get good at Geometry
Get good at Trigonometry
Get good at Matrix Algebra
Take a shot at some Statistics
Get good at Analytic Geometry
Throw in some NonCalculus Physics
Get good at so-called College Algebra
All these things will help you learn to organize your brain.
Once you do that, Calculus will be a natural progression in your head. Before you do that, Calculus will remain a mass of confusion. Focus and concentrate on what you are doing. Set goals for the future, but let them be in the future. No use looking beyond the mark. You cannot run the good race you trained for if you forget to tie your shoes. (Unless, of course, it is a no-shoe race, but I digress.)
The answer to that question is easy. How hard one finds calculus depends on how well one knows pre-calculus. If you are not well prepared then it is very hard, but a well prepared student will find it easy.
It seems that you attend college in North America. So I what I am about to say is simply meant to be helpful. In general, we find that a large percent of those taking university calculus will have already had it in secondary school. This is true in even regional universities and second tier universities. In most first tier universities, mathematics majors will even skip basic calculus altogether. If you are now taking pre-algebra at a community college you have a great deal of hard work ahead of you. Good luck with your mathematics study.
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