I signed up for a calculus 1 class. Went to the first class.. went home then dropped it. I was sure I could just jump in and do it since I have already taken calculus I before and I was redoing this so I could move on to 2. But it has been 10 years since I took calc 1 and 15 since I took college algebra. I am really good at math, but I was so lost the first day I realized I need to step back and study college algebra or do self study in order to do well. So right now I am feeling so down about the situation.
You should look into ALEK's or Thinkwell to brush up on those algebra skills. ALEK's is probably the better deal at $20/month; check it out and keep your head up! Calculus is a pain even if you're spun up on your math skills.
On a side note, have you considered LSU's calculus courses? They are independent study, and you have up to 9 months to complete them. At least you would be able to take more time to understand the material rather than be forced to keep a class schedule. Here's a link: http://www.is.lsu.edu/courselist.asp?cat=Mathematics&nid=102&pg= Good luck!
I had a similar situation after my first day in calculus, eons ago. My college roommate said that there was a wonderful book, that got him triumphantly through this situation some years before. I got it, and it worked for me. And 20 years later, I gave a copy to my daughter in a similar situation, with the same outcome. A search on amazon.com shows not only that it is still in print after 100+ years, but that there is a brand new 2008 edition, annotated and expanded by Martin Gardener. And the 80+ reviews on Amazon nearly all say things similar to my first paragraph. Good luck! John Bear
I bet it is "Calculus Made Easy". I have the 1998 version, and I agree, it does make understanding calculus quite a bit easier! I completely forgot I had it! Here's the ISBN for the one I have: 0-312-18548-0 http://books.google.com/books?id=Jw651amAdcIC&lpg=PP1&ots=5s0qKvkMb0&dq=Martin%20Gardner%20calculus&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
I was feeling bad about procrastinating and scoring poorly on my first Astronomy test, but, I'm so over it now. Keep your head up!
Whoa. Avoid DL Calculus I. Try it face to face again later. Work through Algebra for Dummies Workbook and Algebra II for Dummies Workbook. The power of the derivative is hard to appreciate when the Algebra is rusty.
Dave this was face to face. I have taken it before. Thanks for the info guys. Wish I had come here before dropping as class is full now, but I think I will be better off to go over algebra I, II and then the calc book you guys are recommending. It's only one term.
It's this: http://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Made-Easy-Silvanus-Thompson/dp/product-description/0312185480
If you can live with a much older edition, you can read "Calculus Made Easy" here: http://books.google.com/books?id=BrhBAAAAYAAJ for free, as it is out of copyright due to age.
Fortunato: "If you can live with a much older edition..." John: Well, the Calculus hasn't changed much in the last few centuries . . . but the Martin Gardner involvement (I haven't seen that) might be a real bonus.
You can view three math videos often used for college TV courses here: http://www.learner.org/index.html# Statistics Algebra Math
Check out http://www.khanacademy.org/ it has tons of videos on math, finance, and physics. He is prolly the best math teacher I have ever had. I also took calculus couple years ago and these videos helped me get back on track. You can also go to MIT opencourseware site and follow their syllabus once you start calculus to get a structured plan of attack. Good luck!
Thanks.. I will work on these. I also turned around and signed up for managerial accounting so as not to lose any ground due to this. I will try again in winter.
Your local library also has DVD Calculus stuff. Of course, that's only DL if you stand as far as possible on opposite side of the room.
