Algebra -> Trig -> Calculus..or...Pre-Calc?

[Medeirosaurus]

Next semester, which is the summer semester, I intend on taking algebra and trig at the same time. Summer semester is condensed, so it's something like a 5-week semester. Anyway, my question is 2-part:

-Should I attempt to take both of these classes at the same time in a 5-week condensed curriculum? Am I sane for thinking it's possible?

-Should I go to Calculus after taking those two classes, or pre-calculus? I know this isn't entirely objective because you don't know what level of education or ability I'm at. But, do you think an "average" student could handle it?

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[Barts]

I thought most summer courses are closer to 8 weeks? If that is the case then I would say it's very possible. I think if the summer semester is indeed 5 weeks at your school then it would vary according to the person enrolled. I really think a solid understanding of algebra would benefit you for the other math courses you have yet to take, so I wouldn't suggest just "getting by" in it.

As far as pre-calc... I never saw the need for it so didn't bother--but again, it depends how good you are with math. If you are really strong in math then I think the summer courses followed directly by calculus is possible, if however you are not strong in math then I wouldn't suggest it.

Good Luck! 🙂

 

[sawood]

Next semester, which is the summer semester, I intend on taking algebra and trig at the same time. Summer semester is condensed, so it's something like a 5-week semester. Anyway, my question is 2-part:

-Should I attempt to take both of these classes at the same time in a 5-week condensed curriculum? Am I sane for thinking it's possible?

-Should I go to Calculus after taking those two classes, or pre-calculus? I know this isn't entirely objective because you don't know what level of education or ability I'm at. But, do you think an "average" student could handle it?

Have you ever struggled to get an A in math before (i.e. 100% effort, no slacking?). If so, I would consider only taking one of the two, since summer will be faster paced anyway. This will add into your BCPM GPA and its just not worth the risk. Otherwise, if you normally "get" math, you should be fine.

As far as taking Calculus straight after, I don't see why not, as long as you understood algebra and trig. Again, how mathematically inclined are you? If you usually understand math concepts pretty well, then you should be fine.

A little off topic, but I love math. Its like this warm, comfortable blanket....2+2 will always equal 4.....you could drop me off in a foreign country where I don't understand the language, but we could still do math together 😍

 

[Medeirosaurus]

I never struggled in Algebra I or II. I had some difficulty in College Algebra with factoring polynomials in high school (ten years ago), and I eventually just dropped the class. Didn't particularly like the teacher, either. I LOVED Geometry, which I assume is something like Trigonometry (I've done some studying on my own of the subject). I think I could handle both of them at the same time. Factoring is a bitch, but I can handle that.

I agree with you, btw, sawood. I feel the same way about math. You always get the same answer when it comes to math. It's reliable and consistent.

 

[Blade28]

It's hard to say. Some people just "get" math - others don't, and have to struggle.

Why not see how you do in these classes first? Calculus can be a breeze for some, and a real nightmare for others. It's just too hard to predict at this point.

 

[ShyRem]

I hate to tell you this, but in mod(3), 2+2 =/= 4 (in fact, 4 doesn't even exist). And there are lots of geometries where parallel lines intersect, triangle angles add to more than 180 degrees, square angles are not 90 degrees. Math is WAAAAY cool.

 

[RxnMan]

I hate to tell you this, but in mod(3), 2+2 =/= 4 (in fact, 4 doesn't even exist). And there are lots of geometries where parallel lines intersect, triangle angles add to more than 180 degrees, square angles are not 90 degrees. Math is WAAAAY cool.

Did you know that you can count to 32 on one hand, if you use binary?

Fingers up = 1
Fingers down = 0

 

[RxnMan]

Next semester, which is the summer semester, I intend on taking algebra and trig at the same time. Summer semester is condensed, so it's something like a 5-week semester. Anyway, my question is 2-part:

-Should I attempt to take both of these classes at the same time in a 5-week condensed curriculum? Am I sane for thinking it's possible?

-Should I go to Calculus after taking those two classes, or pre-calculus? I know this isn't entirely objective because you don't know what level of education or ability I'm at. But, do you think an "average" student could handle it?

If you are pre-med, then I firmly believe that you should do whatever class you feel most confident in getting an A in. ADCOMs just want to see a little line of As. Do you need calc in medicine? You could use it, sure, but most docs don't use integrals, nor could they take a derivative.

 

[buffdoc]

I think that taking Algebra and Trig at the same time is insane. If you can pull that off and do well, like sawood says, there is no reason to take pre-calc.

And for the record, Trig is nothing like Geometry. You need to know triangles and cirlces, but then you soon forget everything you ever knew about Geometry.

It's weird, but I actually understood algebra better after I took calc, although I've never found a use for factoring polynomials.

 

[Blade28]

And for the record, Trig is nothing like Geometry. You need to know triangles and cirlces, but then you soon forget everything you ever knew about Geometry.

Agreed.

Geometry was all about proofs, theorems and postulates. And drawing shapes.

Trigonometry was all about angles, ratios, and SOHCAHTOA.

 

[sawood]

I hate to tell you this, but in mod(3), 2+2 =/= 4 (in fact, 4 doesn't even exist). And there are lots of geometries where parallel lines intersect, triangle angles add to more than 180 degrees, square angles are not 90 degrees. Math is WAAAAY cool.

After reading your post, I came up with a new emoticon: there's a happy face looking proudly at its balloon..... and then the balloon gets popped ....leading to a sad face....and tears.....

See, this is how rusty i am with math, I'm sure I learned whatever mod(3) was at some point and blocked it out of my consciousness. I don't want to hear any more stories about 2+2 =/= 4. I can take the uncertainty of med school admissions processes....but please, don't burst my math bubble.....

By the way, my other idea for a new emoticon is to have a little face that is holding its breath, turning blue, then passing out (i.e. basically waiting for certain schools to get around to responding).

 

[ShyRem]

ok, sawood. Ok.

 

[GatorPhD]

I agree with some of the previous posts. If you feel comfortable with your abilities, then take them both together. After that, see if you think calculus is a wise step.

In my opinion, trig isn't such a big deal. Further, calculus doesn't rely on trig for much more than remembering the unit circle. In calculus, you will only use about 25% of what you learn in trig.

As for college algebra, you will review factoring polynomials. It will probably be easier than you remember. You need to know this for calculus; it's crucial. I found pre-calc to be in general a second iteration of college algebra. If you do well in alg., I would suggest going on to calculus.

Please take my advice with a grain of salt, but be advised that I did B.S.-M.S.-Ph.D. in math and have done a share of teaching at this level.

I hope this helps!
Gator

 

[Isoprop]

In my opinion, trig isn't such a big deal. Further, calculus doesn't rely on trig for much more than remembering the unit circle. In calculus, you will only use about 25% of what you learn in trig.

25%? this may be a ymmv thing, but i remember having to re-memorize some of those trig identities for calc 2. i would say a lot of trig is involved in calc... at least that's how it was emphasized when i took calc.

 

[GatorPhD]

25%? this may be a ymmv thing, but i remember having to re-memorize some of those trig identities for calc 2. i would say a lot of trig is involved in calc... at least that's how it was emphasized when i took calc.

It is (to an extent). I should have known better than to specify some amount of material from trig that will be seen again in calc 1. 😉 I didn't actually calculate the proportion of time spent on trigonometric applications in calculus with respect to the rest of the course. 🙄

My point is simply that you won't be killed in calculus 1, with trig related stuff. However, you are right that calc 2 involves more trig identities when you're dealing with trigonometric substitutions for integrals. But again, this is just a few sections, and if you know how to draw a right triangle, and apply the Theorem of Pythagorus, then it's not really a big deal.

Like I said before, take my advice (and everything else I say here) with a huge grain of salt.

See ya'!
Gator

 

[y0ter]

Just out of curiosity, as a pre-med we are all required to take chemistry and physics. If these requirements are completed won't adcoms be a bit critical of someone taking algebra and trig?

 

[GatorPhD]

Just out of curiosity, as a pre-med we are all required to take chemistry and physics. If these requirements are completed won't adcoms be a bit critical of someone taking algebra and trig?

I don't understand what you are getting at. Are you implying that an adcom would be critical of someone whose highest math courses are algebra and trig, but have taken chemistry and physics? I still don't see where this would be a an issue, except maybe for the fact that its almost impossible to really study physics without knowing calculus. However, if all requirements are met, then what would be the problem?

I would say the more math, the better. Of course, I'm biased since I was a math major for 7 years! 😀

See ya'!
Gator

 

[League54]

How is pre-calc different than trig? Reason I ask is because our school didn't offer pre-calc, just college algebra, trig, business calc and calc 1,2,3,etc. The textbook we used for trig was actually entitled pre-calculus.

 

[y0ter]

I don't understand what you are getting at. Are you implying that an adcom would be critical of someone whose highest math courses are algebra and trig, but have taken chemistry and physics? I still don't see where this would be a an issue, except maybe for the fact that its almost impossible to really study physics without knowing calculus. However, if all requirements are met, then what would be the problem?

I would say the more math, the better. Of course, I'm biased since I was a math major for 7 years! 😀

See ya'!
Gator

Hey Gator, what I meant was won't they be weary of students trying to pad their gpa? I took calc during my undergrad years, but I wouldn't attempt in calc 2 without any refresher courses since I hardly remember any of it. But won't this see this as taking the "easy" route to improve my gpa?

 

[GatorPhD]

Hey Gator, what I meant was won't they be weary of students trying to pad their gpa? I took calc during my undergrad years, but I wouldn't attempt in calc 2 without any refresher courses since I hardly remember any of it. But won't this see this as taking the "easy" route to improve my gpa?

I see. However, I don't think most would consider calc 2 the easy way of raising a gpa. There are much simpler courses for this. However, some med schools do require at least two math courses, and usually college algebra will be required for physics (and maybe chemistry). Also, some med schools require calc 1.

How is pre-calc different than trig? Reason I ask is because our school didn't offer pre-calc, just college algebra, trig, business calc and calc 1,2,3,etc. The textbook we used for trig was actually entitled pre-calculus.

Pre-calc is much different from trig. Trigonometry = [trigonon = three angles] + [metro = measure]. It is the study of angles and and their related functions and properties. Pre-calculus is a (slightly) more rigorous study of equations and inequalities dealing with linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions than you saw in college algebra. You learn more about analysis of functions and graphing, as well as basic linear algebra (matrices, determinants, etc.)

It isn't surprising that they use the same text. Often, trig is considered the first course in a "pre-calculus" sequence.

Hope this makes sense!
Gator

 

[akszp4]

How is pre-calc different than trig? Reason I ask is because our school didn't offer pre-calc, just college algebra, trig, business calc and calc 1,2,3,etc. The textbook we used for trig was actually entitled pre-calculus.

At our school, College Algebra is 3 units and Trig is 2 units while PreCalc is a combination of both and is 5 units. The only difference is that Pre-Calc is taken in one semester while College Algebra and Trig are taken during seperate semesters.