calculus

[EmperorNero]

can someone give me the background on calculus? what are its uses, how is it taught (not sure how to word this...but is it taught like algbebra 1, then 2, then 3, etc), how difficult is it compared to other math courses, any other math courses after it or is it the very final math topic, etc.

 

[ApacheXMD]

calculus is everything.
there are bajillions of uses, far to many to enumerate.. physics, economics, biology, basically everything.
how it's taught depends on the school. Back in highschool, it was either calc bc or calc ab. BC was supposed to be equivalent to 2 college semesters of calculus while AB was just one.
In college, they got calc1 2 3
after calc you get to do ordinary differential equation, then maybe some linear algebra, etc.. point being that calculus is not the end.

-patchy

 

[Shack70]

Calculus is a big pain in the butt. I hated it, but enjoyed algebra alot.

 

[Triumph]

calculus is at the root of everything. it is the most important thing ever. EVER.

 

[Viper GTS]

Calculus could probably best be described as the study of change, or more specifically rates of change. That's what it's all about.

There are most definitely classes after it, that's why I'm no longer an engineering student.



Viper GTS

 

[erikiksaz]

man that is sooo not cool. i'm going to be taking calculus AB next year (junior year). i'm not looking forward to BC and all that crap afterwards.

 

[Bluga]

You will get a big thick calculus book, and it will be taught for three terms. Start from beginning. You will dream in calculus.

 

[atom]

If you are going to college, many degrees except those in the social studies/ literary field require calculus. It is definitely not the last math. But you need to know single variable calculus before you can go any further (multivariable calculus, differentials, linear algebra, analytic geometry, etc.).

 

[Supradude]

Ha ha ha, calculus... lovely subject,... the basic involve studying change and is based upon using derivatives and integrals for multivariable domains and analysis of systems with multivariables... as it goes on, you get more in depth with bigger and uglier equations that need special analytical methods to solve... = P thought i was done with math after passing the equivalent of 6 quarters... but then they hide math classes as engineering courses too,... currently taking a class on complex variables and Laplace transforms... ooo fun~ (read with heavy sarcasm ! = P)

 

[Scrapster]

Like Viper said, the main focus is on rates of change. But there is SO MUCH more. There is a year long sequence. First quarter is differentiation (derivatives). Second quarter is antidifferentiation (integration) and third quarter talks about vectors and coordinate systems. If you're considering taking it, I would recommend it highly. Just about any type of computer science or engineering path requires it. Some programs only require the first quarter of differentiation. Let me tell you, personally, this was the most influential class/sequence I have ever taken. It's become so useful for me (engineering student). I think most people cringe their teeth when hearing about calculus b/c they hear all these horror stories. But if you study hard (just like any other class) you shouldn't have a problem getting through it. Right now I'm in differential equations and that class is not bad at all, but that is b/c I have good knowledge of the calculus concepts. So, depending on your major/career. It's worth doing.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Calculus is not difficult IF you have a solid math background. The key for me as far as studying for exams was always repetition, ie. doing lots of problems, vs. reading the concepts.

 

[EmperorNero]

I plan on majoring in engineering (probably computer engineering) or comp science, how much of calc would I have to learn?

 

[Scrapster]

1 year of calculus
1 quarter differential eqns
1 quarter linear algebra
1 quarter advanced calculus

That's just to get in the program. I'm sure there are other engineering math classes too.

"Calculus equals you + me equals us. I know my calculus." - 2gether

 

[bolomite]

Calculus pervades countless fields of study, including many that the layperson wouldn't even imagine required advanced math. Econ, psychology, astronomy, you name it. Of course, mainly it's just the physical sciences that delve deeply into calculus.

 

[Soybomb]

Hehe what viper said, if there woul dbe a reason for me to quit college, it would be calculus.

 

[EmperorNero]

for those of you who have taken calc, how well are you guys doing in that class? any dropouts (I know it's embarrasing to admit it..but I would like to get an idea of how many people can do calculus and how many can't)?

 

[BigPoppa]

Ooooohhhh, good thread, seeing as i will be taking Calc. next year, which is my Junior year in HS.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Scrapster's list is the min., as far as specific math courses. But you must not forget that all this math you learn turns up in later coursework (theory of "Fields" was a math nightmare ...). You don't take that much math for no good reason.

IMHO, the people who had the most trouble in college calculus classes were those who did not have a good H.S. math background. Take any calculus classes in H.S. that you can; if not, at least make sure you have an excellent background in trig and geometry. Too many people seemed to forget them, and it caused problems for them later on when they got to calculus.

 

[kw3i]

lol triumph, were you a math major?

 

[jblaschke]

For anyone just getting started with Calculus go to the library or look on Amazon and get a text written by Howard Anton. The best author for beginning to advanced calc I have seen and I have read a lot of them. With Anton's text and sufficient desire/motivation you can practically become a calculus master on your own.