prepping for calc

[245399]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys,

I've been accepted to a few schools that require calc as a prereq. I have to take it in the spring. I've only taken stats and I took precalc around 8 years ago.

What do I need to know to be prepared for calc?
Any books, websites, etc?
I have a week or two to brush up on some things before it starts.

Thank you.

 

[Iso4ane]

Hey guys,

I've been accepted to a few schools that require calc as a prereq. I have to take it in the spring. I've only taken stats and I took precalc around 8 years ago.

What do I need to know to be prepared for calc?
Any books, websites, etc?
I have a week or two to brush up on some things before it starts.

Thank you.

Calculus for me is mostly algebraic manipulation, so make sure your algerbra is top notch, and even though you probably will not use it for a while if you just started, you should really brush up on the trig identities, and what sin,cos,tan equal for the common angles.

 

[245399]

Calculus for me is mostly algebraic manipulation, so make sure your algerbra is top notch, and even though you probably will not use it for a while if you just started, you should really brush up on the trig identities, and what sin,cos,tan equal for the common angles.

Thank you.
I nailed non calc/ algebra based physics and did well on the MCAT, would that be enough base knowledge for what you mentioned?
From what you're saying it seems like precalc is superflous, which would be excellent since I don't remember anything.

 

[Iso4ane]

the way I see it is precalc is just algebra on steroids.

 

[Rickybobby]

I was in a similar situation although the time frame was 5 years instead of 8.

If I had it to do over again I would make sure I know the trig identities. Work problems until the relationships and values are second nature it will make many of the calculus manipulations easier. Think unit circle... Also, algebra is a given, make sure you understand and can manipulate fractions, exponents and logs. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to look over the general idea of a function. Make sure you understand it.

My first two-three weeks in Calc I was spent re-learning trig and algebra, which made for quite a bit of catch-up. Luckily, the concepts of calculus aren't difficult to grasp once the background is strong. Good Luck!