Calculus

[IYAAYAS]

This is my first vanity post, I wasn't going to post this until I realized there is a "vanity" option under topics. Anyone care to help out a freeper?

I'm about to begin the three part calculus sequence followed by differential equqations and I'm starting to get nervous. I would like advice from those who are there or have been there.

I am an adult student who has decided to return to school, I have re-taken trig and precalculus (both A's)as a refresher.

I'm looking for any kind of advice, general or specific. What things are inportant for the study of caculus? Should I start to memorize certain formulas now? If so, what? Is threre a certain method you used to visualize concepts? anything really...

[Indy Pendance]

Good luck! I was an adult student taking those exact same classes. 3 semesters of calc, diff-eq, and lot of other math oriented classes. Just study, study, and study. Calculus gets easier the more you do it. Second sememster is the make or break class. Lots of students drop out of the 2nd and end up taking business. Calc a different way of thinking as compared to algebra, trig, etc. The main thing is not to give up, and to go to math labs, etc whenever you can. Try to form a study group with other serious students. That's real helpful. And, try not to blow off classes. It's real important you are there for the discussions. If you are determined, you will get through it.

[sam_paine]

DUDE! Relax!

Calculus is one of the first disciplines of mathematics that I saw as a real useful tool in understanding the world, as opposed to drdgery and rote memorization of multiplication, algebra etc.

When you finally are able to visualize wind as a three-dimensional vector field in space, and how calculus can actually describe what is going on, it will all be worth it.

Don't panic. Intro calculus is predicated on INTRODUCING you to calculus!!!!!!

[Orblivion]

If u got an A in pre-calc. ANd yer an adult. DOn't worry man, Calc is really easy shit. Seriously. Just study, do your homework, and make sure you understand a little of the theory behind this stuff and you'll get an A. :) The average male brain possesses easily enough problem solving ability to master calculus :)

[LibWhacker]

Most important I think is to study hard and don't give up. Seek out help if you get stuck on something. Make sure you can do every example and proof they work out in the book, from scratch. That'll help you tremendously on the tests.

Calculus is a marvelous subject if you work at it. I enjoyed it so much I became a math major.

[PortugeeJoe]

Been there! Done that! I agree that Calc II was the hardest.

Took a 5 course series and found that the toughest part was that the teacher of the 2nd course forced you to memorize the formulas - ie: no using a formula sheet that the other profs allowed.

If the prof allows you to use a formula sheet you can just concentrate on practice - the more problems you solve the easier it gets. If you aren't allowed a formula sheet then you need to memorize the applicable formulas first so that you can see them in your sleep -- then you practice.

In the real world you always have access to the formulas and as long as you know which one to use, solving the problems is easy.

[headsonpikes]

My advice to you is 'Know your limits'.

[RightWhale]

Learn some trig, the more the better. Double angle formulas get a lot of use. Learn the values of sine and cosine for angles of 0 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees. Learn them so well that if your prof calls you at 3 in the morning you can recite them immediately.

[Fellow Traveler]

Selecting the correct teacher is important. Try to talk to people who have taken the class before. By the way the right teacher is not necessarily the easy one. I found the first two semesters of calculus is pretty easy as long as you take great pains to fully understand everything you are taught before going on. Differential equations was mostly memorization adn being able to apply formula to a given situation. I still don't understand what Vector calculus was about. I got a "B" in the class but couldn't tell you anything about it. I got a "C" in Differential equations but the teacher was very good, I still remember some of it 17 years later.

[chimera]

I did the whole calculus-math thing when being trained as a physicist back in the 70's. All I can say is that if I can do it, anyone can do it. The only difference between you and me now is that I have worked about 10,000 more practice problems than you. I'm not any smarter than you, just more experienced.

Some of the very best advice I ever got in college was from my calculus professor, first class Fall Quarter as a freshman: the best way to learn this stuff is to practice, practice, practice. He told us, spend two hours a night, every night, on calculus, and he'd guarantee we'd get at least a 'C' in his class. And he was right. So work those homework problems until you know them cold. Then work through them again until you have the idea, not just the technique. You'll do okay if you do that.

[IYAS9YAS]

I went from getting B's in pre-calc (7 AM class) in HS to A's in Calc in college with 7 years of USAF maturity under my belt. Best deal is, if you have questions, ask.

I had a wonderful professor. He was a real math geek and close to retirement age. A real hoot. Lame jokes and all. He was one of those kinds of professors that people like me work extra hard for. I went from getting a C on my first test to an A for his class by asking questions and applying myself. A grade in his class was earned, not given.

Good Luck!

[Tac12]

I suggest to by a Schaum's outline series book on calculus
and to do all exercises (by yourself, not looking at the
answers and thinking ''this one is easy, I sure could have
done it ..'')

Actually, I have not read the Schaum's books on calculus,
but they contain lots of exercises. As you probably know,
the only way to learn mathematics or physics is by sitting
down and thinking through lots of exercises.

[Consort]

Ask Mr. Calculus

[Nataku X]

I was a calculus tutor for deaf students in college. It's easier than people think. I helped students raise their grade averages from Ds to Bs. You'll do fine.

Don't memorize the formulas NOW--it won't make sense yet and it'll only be frustrating, but do make sure you understand & memorize each day's lesson before the next lesson, or you'll fall behind quickly. Also get a TI-8X or 9X calculator (my personal fave is the 85, and some classes may not allow the 9X on exams). Calm down.

[RightWhale]

Differential equations was mostly memorization

Yes, it's all method. Be able to solve any linear differential equation quickly, and especially integration by parts, which is easy once you catch on.

[whd23]

For me, the key thing I did that resulted in good performace was to do all the homework. Most teachers will not test you on things they haven't assigned (bonus questions excepted). Usually if you can do and understand the homework, the tests are no problem.

Also, don't wait to ask for help. The moment you don't undertand a concept, and you've tried puzzling it out for yourself, raise your hand. It's all about building-blocks, and if you try to skip over something you don't "get" you will have a hard time with the later concepts that build on it.

[Fierce Allegiance]

1. English speaking profs (light if any accent)
2. STUDY GROUPS!!

There is almost always a member of a study group that can help put htings in terms others understand better than the prof explains

[HeadOn]

Boooooo! Hissssss! BAD math joke!

[AmishDude]

I teach calculus for a living. There is only one piece of advice:

Do your homework.

[RightWhale]

raise your hand

Also, see the prof during his office hours about any point that isn't clear. They are usually more than happy to see students.