Prepping for Calculus
 

Thanks to suggestions from some of you, I found a reputable online degree program that would accommodate my traveling schedule. I've enrolled at ASU. I've been out of school for a while and it looks like I'm going to be taking some calculus courses. Anyone have any tips or study guides/math review material they can recommend? Last time I was in a calculus class was over ten years ago.

Calculus is pretty easy, especially calc 1. The most useful tools that you'll have will be the ability to solve and manipulate equations using algebra and an understanding of limits. The actual calculus part of the first class is simple in comparison.

This guys page had some good notes for both algebra and calculus Pauls Online Math Notes

Can't help you, partner.
I was a math major and eventually switched over to Mech. Eng'g.
I've forgotten more than I once knew about advanced math.
Calculus, Diff. EQ, and even Theory of Numbers...gone, lost forever.
Absolutely Good Luck!!!
SmileWavy

There are a lot of options. Youtube, Kahn Academy...

10 years ago? so i assume this is the calculus based around graphing calculators?

i took this version and it was much easier to wrap my feeble math mind around it. if i can do it, ANYONE can. i was the worst high school math student..the worst. algebra almost crushed me..but something clicked. and it was smooth sailing.

you have a graphing calculator?

Calc 1 (differential) is frying the egg. Calc 2 (integral) is un-frying the egg- much more difficult. You have about 5-6 basic differentiation rules in Calc 1, and about 100 integration rules in Calc 2; the biggest challenge is knowing when to apply them.

If you have not taken college Trigonometry or or a Trig refresher course that would be wise prior to Calc 2.

patrickjmt.com will serve you well...

I like this much better than the other prepping thread!

Calc 1 depends on really knowing algebra geometry & trig well
One of the best Calc book used to be Leithold's 'Calculus w/ Analytic Geometry'

Thought it was just me. Math major, switched to chemistry.
My niece has her phd in mech engineering. Read her thesis. I don't remember anything after the E or other funny squiggles. Was easy at the time.
Good luck
Gary

Took calc at asu last semester. Can tell you though calc online is very hard, but asu's online system is probably one of the best online course systems out there.

The way ASU is geared, the calculus is easy, the algebra is the hard part. Spend time right now memorizing the basic derivatives. sin = cos , cos =-sin , tan = sec^2, ect. also memorize the short cuts to the chain rule, product rule, quotient rule. That's basically calc 1 at ASU.


ASU uses James Stewart Essential Calculus Early Transcendentals. It's ok, all calc books are essentially the same though.

Thanks for the information. I aced Trig and algebra it's just been a long time. I never took geometry. I took Calculus 1 many years ago and don't remember anything.

I'll start brushing up on my trig and algebraic manipulation skills and limits. If you can think of any other skills that would make a Calculus course smoother please continue posting. I'm not a math Wiz but can follow instructions. LOL

AZ_porschekid, that's great info about ASU. Thanks for that!

As an aside, I find it interesting that so many computer majors require such high level math. I have a friend that has a computer science degree which obviously requires high level math. He works with holographic displays and is now at Microsoft. I asked him how much math he has had to use in his job. He said linear algebra he uses a lot but that's about it.

Nice! I'll be spending some time on that site.

Thanks for that! I do have a graphing calculator. My experience with math is much like yours. Hated it in high school and never took to it but enjoyed it in college and got mostly A's throughout all the way to calc 1. Like you said something just clicked and off I went. It's been so long since I sat in a classroom. Hopefully it's like riding a bike. :-)

www.mathway.com

It's free but to show the work it's around $99.00 and worth every penny!

Ohh I almost forgot. ASU goes through WebWork for online homework. They are sort of like my persons lab, or my math lab. It's essentially like the program above, as it gives comparable examples with how to work through the problems step by step. The awesome part, it's free. You would have to pay for the same access if you took the class at a community college.

Look at Khan Academy if you're struggling with certain concepts "they get complex". It's free, and very good. I also found derivative calculators that show step by step as a useful tool as well.

You'll definitely need a graphing calculator for limits. TI-83 is what I use. If you're not proficient with it, you will struggle to find the right programs. I know I did... Feel free to PM me, I work at one of the help desks on campus so I answer questions all day long.

https://www.khanacademy.org
I think if you are motivated, you can learn anything here.

There are more than one hundred MIT Mathematics department classes available on-line - several options for Calculus:

Mathematics | MIT OpenCourseWare | Free Online Course Materials