Going back to school . . .

[XMan]

I'm going to start taking classes this summer to finish up my degree, and two of the big stumbling blucks in my way are calculus classes - MA221 and MA222. I'd rather not have to take the introductory algebra and trig classes, especially when I took AP classes for those in high school. It's just that I pretty much haven't used them for 12 . . . (holy crap I'm getting old) . . . years since I graduated.

I have a friend who's a high school calculus teacher who tutors on the side so once I do start the classes I should be able to get some help. In the meantime, I was thinking I could at least practice. I tried reading the Wiki for Calculus but my eyes glazed over about halfway through.

Suggestions / ideas appreciated!

 

[Saint Michael]

If you can do this:

(a + b) * (d + c)

and this:

(a + b)/c + (d + e)/f

then you can do calculus. You only need basic trig for calculus, at least in the lower level courses. Really you just need to be strong with your basic algebra.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Originally posted by: Saint Michael
If you can do this:

(a + b) * (d + c)

and this:

(a + b)/c + (d + e)/f

then you can do calculus. You only need basic trig for calculus, at least in the lower level courses. Really you just need to be strong with your basic algebra.

Uhhh... wrong.

I'm currently taking Calc 2 right now. Basically, just know your Pre-Calc stuff and you are set for Calc 1. As far as Calc 2 goes... it's basically all integration. Finding volumes of stuff, rotating graphs around the x or y axis and finding the volume of it. Finding the "Work" required to push water out of a given cone or cylinder, etc. But all I can say is good luck :thumbsup: I struggled for a while in the beginning but I ended up doing decent. I feel stronger in Calc 2 than I did in Calc 1.

 

[XMan]

I found a great online resource provided by Temple University. I started at pre-calc and started working. I was doing great until I got to the section on arithmetic and geometric sequences. I don't remember doing this stuff AT ALL, LOL.

Can anybody point me to a website or sum up how to derive these equations?

Here's the first one that's tripping me up. The help file for the site doesn't explain it very well, IMO, or maybe I'm interpreting it wrong . . .

1) Consider the arithmetic sequence A = { An } determined by the conditions
A(sub)n+1 - A(sub)n = 2
A(sub)0 = 1
Work out the first 3 terms of the sequence and enter them below.

 

[warmodder]

Get yourself a Ti-89. Problem solved!

 

[Darien]

Originally posted by: XMan
I found a great online resource provided by Temple University. I started at pre-calc and started working. I was doing great until I got to the section on arithmetic and geometric sequences. I don't remember doing this stuff AT ALL, LOL.

Can anybody point me to a website or sum up how to derive these equations?

Here's the first one that's tripping me up. The help file for the site doesn't explain it very well, IMO, or maybe I'm interpreting it wrong . . .

1) Consider the arithmetic sequence A = { An } determined by the conditions
A(sub)n+1 - A(sub)n = 2
A(sub)0 = 1
Work out the first 3 terms of the sequence and enter them below.

Given A_0 = 1, use the first condition by setting n=0. Then A_1 - A_0 = 2. A_1 is 2 + A_0, which comes out to be 3. Repeat 'til you're done

Edit: wrong value

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: warmodder
Get yourself a Ti-89. Problem solved!

No kidding . . . I'm probably showing my age here but I think the Ti-83 was hot stuff when I was in high school, and you weren't allowed to use it on tests. That still the case?

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: Darien

Originally posted by: XMan
I found a great online resource provided by Temple University. I started at pre-calc and started working. I was doing great until I got to the section on arithmetic and geometric sequences. I don't remember doing this stuff AT ALL, LOL.

Can anybody point me to a website or sum up how to derive these equations?

Here's the first one that's tripping me up. The help file for the site doesn't explain it very well, IMO, or maybe I'm interpreting it wrong . . .

1) Consider the arithmetic sequence A = { An } determined by the conditions
A(sub)n+1 - A(sub)n = 2
A(sub)0 = 1
Work out the first 3 terms of the sequence and enter them below.

Given A_0 = 1, use the first condition by setting n=0. Then A_1 - A_0 = 2. A_1 is 2 + A_0, which comes out to be 3. Repeat 'til you're done

Edit: wrong value

You the man, thanks.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Originally posted by: XMan

Originally posted by: warmodder
Get yourself a Ti-89. Problem solved!

No kidding . . . I'm probably showing my age here but I think the Ti-83 was hot stuff when I was in high school, and you weren't allowed to use it on tests. That still the case?

Yea. No calculators on tests.

 

[warmodder]

Originally posted by: XMan

Originally posted by: warmodder
Get yourself a Ti-89. Problem solved!

No kidding . . . I'm probably showing my age here but I think the Ti-83 was hot stuff when I was in high school, and you weren't allowed to use it on tests. That still the case?

We're allowed the 83 on most things. I've used my 89 on most things as well although it wasn't allowed in my calc class at university. (That said it does look suspiciously like an 84 which is iirc perfectly usable...)

My syllabus specifically said only the 89 was banned so ymmv. It was still one of the best purchases I've made though. Worth every penny.

 

[Saint Michael]

Originally posted by: CraKaJaX

Originally posted by: Saint Michael
If you can do this:

(a + b) * (d + c)

and this:

(a + b)/c + (d + e)/f

then you can do calculus. You only need basic trig for calculus, at least in the lower level courses. Really you just need to be strong with your basic algebra.

Uhhh... wrong.

I'm currently taking Calc 2 right now. Basically, just know your Pre-Calc stuff and you are set for Calc 1. As far as Calc 2 goes... it's basically all integration. Finding volumes of stuff, rotating graphs around the x or y axis and finding the volume of it. Finding the "Work" required to push water out of a given cone or cylinder, etc. But all I can say is good luck :thumbsup: I struggled for a while in the beginning but I ended up doing decent. I feel stronger in Calc 2 than I did in Calc 1.

I don't know what you took in your calc two class, but I only took basic trigonometry and never took precalculus and calculus was a cinch. I'm not a very mathematically inclined person, so I can only expect it would be so for most other people.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: Saint Michael
If you can do this:

(a + b) * (d + c)

and this:

(a + b)/c + (d + e)/f

then you can do calculus. You only need basic trig for calculus, at least in the lower level courses. Really you just need to be strong with your basic algebra.

Wrong. I thought I only needed that for Pre-Calc and it kicked me ass because like the OP I hadn't done math in a long time.

OP, I'd recommend biting the bullet and starting at a bit lower level.