Calculus

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glassdoll

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Hey guys! I am taking calculus II this semester as a senior in college, and the last time I took math was calculus I as a junior in high school. It's been 5 years and I don't remember how derivatives and integrals work. I'm a little concerned about jumping right into calculus II material. These first 2 weeks of class I will have a bunch of free time and was thinking about getting an AP calculus ab review book to refresh on calculus I material, and maybe watch a few videos? Does anyone have any suggestions as to good calculus videos or what else I should to do relearn calculus? Thank you!
 
khanacademy
 
glassdoll said:
Hey guys! I am taking calculus II this semester as a senior in college, and the last time I took math was calculus I as a junior in high school. It's been 5 years and I don't remember how derivatives and integrals work. I'm a little concerned about jumping right into calculus II material. These first 2 weeks of class I will have a bunch of free time and was thinking about getting an AP calculus ab review book to refresh on calculus I material, and maybe watch a few videos? Does anyone have any suggestions as to good calculus videos or what else I should to do relearn calculus? Thank you!
Click to expand...

Calculus Workbook for Dummies
 
Are you sure you don't want to take Calculus I again? If it turns out that you know it well then it's another A for your sGPA. If it turns out that it was a good idea to get the refresher before Calc II then it will be a good idea. Then you can take Calc II next semester?
 
Definitely khanacademy. He sometimes goes a bit too slow for me. If that's the case for you, there's now an option to watch it at 2x for most videos.
 
Irish Football said:
Are you sure you don't want to take Calculus I again? If it turns out that you know it well then it's another A for your sGPA. If it turns out that it was a good idea to get the refresher before Calc II then it will be a good idea. Then you can take Calc II next semester?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice everyone! You have a good point but I don't have space for an extra class this year if I want to double major as well as maintain sanity. I have some random language and anthropology classes this semester so I should have plenty of time to devote to calculus II. Thank you again for the input! If anyone has more suggestions as to books to purchase I would appreciate it.
 
I used the Calculus for Dummies book, and it was okay, but it didn't have nearly enough practice problems. I might buy a book of practice problems and do them alongside Khan Academy lectures.
 
glassdoll said:
Hey guys! I am taking calculus II this semester as a senior in college, and the last time I took math was calculus I as a junior in high school. It's been 5 years and I don't remember how derivatives and integrals work. I'm a little concerned about jumping right into calculus II material. These first 2 weeks of class I will have a bunch of free time and was thinking about getting an AP calculus ab review book to refresh on calculus I material, and maybe watch a few videos? Does anyone have any suggestions as to good calculus videos or what else I should to do relearn calculus? Thank you!
Click to expand...

Pick up a calculus book and read the chapters? Should only take 4 hours for the book...
 
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This will be the best advice you hear in this thread. I took Calc I and Calc II during the summer in 6 weeks total. It was my first time taking it and I got an A in both class. Khan academy like many people is great but not the best. The best are the thinkwell Calculus videos. It cost money but you can download it online for free (torrent). This guy is really talented and can teach you a huge concept in 10 minutes. Compared to Khan who has 20-30 minute videos. Check it out man this guy saved my ass so many times during my 6 weeks of hell! And he is awesome for review because he goes straight to the point in such a short time.
 
I HIGHLY suggest taking Calc 1 instead. College level calculus is miles tougher than high school calc, and Calc 2 is far and beyond the toughest calculus section (besides maybe real advanced sections). You might be in for quite a surprise come the beginning of the semester, and you don't want your GPA to take a hit. I got a 5 on both calc 1 and 2 AP tests, and struggled for a B in Calc 2 in undergrad, and I was a math major. Don't **** yourself over, especially if there's no reason to jump to calc 2.
 
Geebeejay said:
I HIGHLY suggest taking Calc 1 instead. College level calculus is miles tougher than high school calc, and Calc 2 is far and beyond the toughest calculus section (besides maybe real advanced sections). You might be in for quite a surprise come the beginning of the semester, and you don't want your GPA to take a hit. I got a 5 on both calc 1 and 2 AP tests, and struggled for a B in Calc 2 in undergrad, and I was a math major. Don't **** yourself over, especially if there's no reason to jump to calc 2.
Click to expand...

And calc is BCPM.
 
patrickjmt.com was my lifeboat in CalcI..Calc II... and Calc III
 
OP, what is the point of taking Calculus 2 to begin with? There aren't any medical schools that require you need more than Calculus 1. Unless your major calls for it, but avoid taking an unnecessary class that could jack up your G.P.A.
 
Jax4ECU said:
patrickjmt.com was my lifeboat in CalcI..Calc II... and Calc III
Click to expand...

Why did I not hear about this when I was taking Calc II????

Needed some serious help on the whole power series topic and Khan doesn't have much on it.

Oh well....on the off-chance that I do end up taking Calc III, thanks lol
 
Baron's AP Calculus books are wonderful for practice problems. It is also very concise yet thorough in explaining concepts, so I definitely recommend it. I don't recommend Khan Academy, because the problems he does are a too easy.
 
Thanks for the great advice and resources guys! I have to take calculus II because it's a requirement for the neuroscience major. I wasn't planning on taking calculus I, but since so many of you have recommended it I will strongly consider it.
 
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kind of in the same boat as OP.. except my issue is that I'm enrolled in Calc 1.. currently applying to a handful of schools requiring this class (no AP credit accepted). I don't feel like I could even get a C in the course after attending today's first class... should I just take Precalc this sem and Calc 1 next???😕
 
Last year I used MIT Open Course Ware for Calc III first semester and PatrickJMT on Youtube for differential equations second semester. I've also looked at Khan for a couple of subjects, but I have to agree that he moves fairly slow. I think the way to go is PatrickJMT on Youtube, it helped me get an A.
 
Thanks again everyone! I have decided to take calc I this semester and save calc II for next semester. I will definitely still make good use of your recommendations. Have a great semester guys!
 
cinamin said:
kind of in the same boat as OP.. except my issue is that I'm enrolled in Calc 1.. currently applying to a handful of schools requiring this class (no AP credit accepted). I don't feel like I could even get a C in the course after attending today's first class... should I just take Precalc this sem and Calc 1 next???😕
Click to expand...

Yes. Yes yes yes.

Because you will NEED to know your trig for Calc II (which I found out today in class, heh, glad I've been drilling formulas like a robot...), and you will need to have real comfort with algebraic manipulations.

Back in 2009, I enrolled in a Calc I course on the theory that I'd gotten a B in highschool pre-calc. I dropped after the first class, then got an A in Precalc and an A in Calc I this year. Very, very glad I made the choices I made.
 
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