For people who have taken it, how hard is Multivariable Calculus?

[FrogDog]

I'm going into my second year of CS, so I've already taken Introductory Calculus (both parts). Will this course be any harder than those courses were? I found the second part of intro more difficult than the first, but nothing I couldn't handle. The thing is, I don't have to take any more calulus, but I think I'd actually enjoy it more than taking some arts class that doesn't interest me. However, if I'm really going to struggle to get a B in this course than maybe I shouldn't bother...

Any input is appreciated!

 

[Reel]

I had an honors section so it was really difficult but I don't see how it wouldn't be required for a CS major. It is one of the easier math classes that is required for my computer engineering degree. If you did well in the other calculus courses and understand them, it builds upon them and you should do fine.

 

[mchammer187]

not bad

it is pretty much the same stuff with x, y, and z

and you have to learn cylindrical coodinate system which is the same thing as polar and a spherical which is a little tricky at first but still a piece of cake

i dont remember about divergence and curl though because i rarely ever use it

 

[brtspears2]

Pain, maybe better if I liked math.

I just kept reminding myself in the last of the two classes I had to take, D stands for Done.

 

[oog]

In many ways it is no different from single variable calculus. People do find it quite a bit harder though because they somehow don't get over the fact that there are other variables in there.

 

[mchammer187]

if you ever have to take any electromagnetics classes

like electromagnetic field theory or something like that you should pay close attention because that and linear algebra is pretty much all it is

 

[Special K]

I thought multivar. calc. was easier than calc 1 and 2 for the most part. There are some tricky parts to it though, IMO, such as when you are given the description of a region in terms of equations and have to set up a triple integral that would give you the volume (find the volume of the solid bound by the circles blah blah, the cone blah blah, and the plane blah blah...)

Originally posted by: mchammer187
if you ever have to take any electromagnetics classes

like electromagnetic field theory or something like that you should pay close attention because that and linear algebra is pretty much all it is

I am taking electromagnetic fields and waves this fall... I bought the book last spring and took a look at it... looks like I'll be needing to pull out my calc 3 book sometime soon and refresh my memory of curl, divergence, and all that stuff.... sigh...

 

[Darein]

I thought it was just a little harder than basic calc, not too bad. You just have to keep track of more variables, and the equations aren't as simple. I had a grad student teach it, and he made it pretty interesting.

 

[hergehen]

yeah ... it is easy ... at least I found it okay ... just gotta get used to three variables and I did not have any problems with that

 

[wyvrn]

We had a lot of multivariable calc and beginning differential equations in my Calc 2 class. It wasn't hard when you get used to it. It's a lot like moving from (a+2) in algebra to (a^2 + 2ab + b^2). No sweat, you will do fine.

 

[yukichigai]

Take lots of notes, particularly on any vector stuff like Euler's method. It comes in handy if you're trying to calculate a vector from a rotation, say in a mod you're coding.