question??

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by dequece, Sep 7, 2004.

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  1. dequece

    dequece New Member

    I will be taking college algebra soon... if I take trigonometry as well, will I need to take precalculus in addition to college algebra and trig to prepare for calculus I? Or do I only need to take college algebra then precalculus and then calculus or precalus then calculus? Sorry, I don't mean to confuse anyone.
     
  2. Sindaena

    Sindaena New Member

    This is going to depend to some extent on where you decide to take your math classes and what, exactly, the syllabus of the particular courses you take is. Some schools offer online self-tests for math placement that can help as well. My suggestion would be that you look for a school offering College Algebra, Calculus I and any other prerequisties that that school requires for Calculus I after College Algebra. That way you will be taking a sequence in which each class is specifically desgned to prepare you for the next class. I find in taking math classes with different schools that each school has a different emphases, and even if the printed syllabi looked the same, I sometimes need to self-study to fill in gaps caused by taking courses not part of a cohesively designed sequence.

    Another point to consider - the technology you are allowed to take with you to exams (ie calculators, graphing calculators, etc.) and whether or not you must memorize all formulas also varies from school to school.

    Elizabeth
     
  3. dequece

    dequece New Member

    Re: Re: question??

    Thanks for responding....I will be taking classes at the University of North Dakota.

    Since I haven't been in school in 8 years, I am going to begin with
    Intermediate Algebra then College Algebra.

    I don't know if I should take Trigonometry after college algebra and then proceed with precalculus even though the preresquesite for precal is Intermediate Algebra. Or just take intermediate algebra and jump right into precalculus. I don't know how difficult it is.
     
  4. Sindaena

    Sindaena New Member

    Re: Re: Re: question??

    I just went and looked at the course descriptions. Taking Trig before Precalculus looks redundant. I would play it by ear. If Intermediate Algebra seems easy, go right on to Precalculus. If it seems hard, do College Algebra then Precalculus. Whatever you do, get the solutions manual to the textbook and work as many extra odd numbered problems as you can. The solutions manual will usually have the complete solutions to the odd numbered problems. Half.com is a good source for solutions manuals, but make sure it's the right edition.

    Good luck,
    Elizabeth
     
  5. TescStudent

    TescStudent New Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: question??

    I agree about Trig and Pre-calc sometimes being redundant. It's not always that way, but it sometimes is. When preparing for Calculus I and II, probably a Precalculus course that includes some Trigonometry is fine.

    As far as Trig goes, intermediate Calculus basically requires a superficial knowledge of Trig functions. You're expected to know how to use half-angle, power, reciprocal identities, etc., so that you can simplify equations involving sines, tangents, and so on. You don't really even have to know what those are, just how to manipulate them.

    Your algebra needs to be good for Calculus, because Calc is sort of like lots of algebra with infinities mixed in. You need to be solid with fractions, good with exponents and radicals.
     
  6. w_parker

    w_parker New Member

    Upper Iowa requires statistics, quantitative math (or finite math) and college algebra. I took them in that order, and while statistics was more or less a stand alone course, finite math (calculus) needed a strong foundation of algebra, I passed with a B but I would not recommend taking higher math prior to algebra, lol, it was painful but conversely college algebra has been a walk in the park, lol. I would recommend you talk to your school and their requirements.

    William
     

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