Beyond these, is there anything I need to know before I take first year calculus?

[etalns]

Basic Arithmetic (duh)
Basic Algebra
Inequalities and absolute values
Functions
Polynomials
Algebra with fractions
Rationalizing numerators or denominators
Linear graphs
Graphs in general
Exponents and roots
Logarithms
Geometry and basic trig
Trig identities

Anything I may be missing? About to start learning/reviewing stuff from oh too many years back!

 

[imported_hscorpio]

looks good. Might want to go over vectors, matrices, polar/cylindrical/sphereical coordinate systems also, but they might be more of second year calc.

 

[etalns]

I'll take a look into those as well in that case Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Syringer]

Your school should provide you with an assessment test to see where you best fit in..

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Your school should provide you with an assessment test to see where you best fit in..

They don't unfortunately It's basically you take calculus, and if you are getting lower than 60% they kick you out of the class after the mid term and put you in a pre-calc class.

 

[imported_hscorpio]

A ti-89 might be a good investment. Its probably not allowed in the class for good reason since it can do all the work for you and you won't learn as well as if you sweated out all the problems on paper. But I still wish I had one back then to check homework answers at least.

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: hscorpio
A ti-89 might be a good investment. Its probably not allowed in the class for good reason since it can do all the work for you and you won't learn as well as if you sweated out all the problems on paper. But I still wish I had one back then to check homework answers at least.

how do you learn to use a ti-89 though for calc and other higher level mathematics courses?

the professor obviously don't teach you, I used ti-82/ti-83 throughout high school and the books don't provide anything either.

Just self-learn through the manual ftw?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: fritolays

Originally posted by: hscorpio
A ti-89 might be a good investment. Its probably not allowed in the class for good reason since it can do all the work for you and you won't learn as well as if you sweated out all the problems on paper. But I still wish I had one back then to check homework answers at least.

how do you learn to use a ti-89 though for calc and other higher level mathematics courses?

the professor obviously don't teach you, I used ti-82/ti-83 throughout high school and the books don't provide anything either.

Just self-learn through the manual ftw?

Yes, read the manual.

I highly suggest you do not get one, or if you do, use it very very sparingly.

Calc I and II are learning about the basic concepts of Calculus. If you "cheat" and let the calculator do your work for you, you'll never get the basics down and struggle with the advanced stuff.

 

[LordMaul]

The 89 will be useful for checking answers and whatnot, but it will not give you the required "work" you must show for most professors. IE, you will not get credit if you let it do the work for you...so, I suggest not bothering with such a highly advanced, expensive device, and sticking with a TI83 Plus or a TI84/85 (whichever the new gray one is).

 

[imported_hscorpio]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: fritolays

Originally posted by: hscorpio
A ti-89 might be a good investment. Its probably not allowed in the class for good reason since it can do all the work for you and you won't learn as well as if you sweated out all the problems on paper. But I still wish I had one back then to check homework answers at least.

how do you learn to use a ti-89 though for calc and other higher level mathematics courses?

the professor obviously don't teach you, I used ti-82/ti-83 throughout high school and the books don't provide anything either.

Just self-learn through the manual ftw?

Yes, read the manual.

I highly suggest you do not get one, or if you do, use it very very sparingly.

Calc I and II are learning about the basic concepts of Calculus. If you "cheat" and let the calculator do your work for you, you'll never get the basics down and struggle with the advanced stuff.

Yeah the manual will cover the basic things and there are sites out there that have little tutorials.

The Ti-89 is kind of a double edged sword depending on how much restraint and discipline you have. It will definately hurt you if you rely on it to do all the derivatives and integrals for you. These are the kind of things you have to do step by step with pencil and paper to learn properly. But if you have enought self discipline to only use it to check your answers then it will be very useful. I guess most people would end up abusing it though so maybe stick to the ti-86/4/3.

and whatever calculator you decide to get, check ebay first. TI's are built very well and a used one will work just like a new one at a much cheaper price.