Before Learning Calculus-Help-What I need To Know

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the prerequisites for learning calculus, particularly in the context of its application in physics. Participants explore what mathematical knowledge is necessary before embarking on calculus, including topics such as algebra, trigonometry, and analytic geometry.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a solid understanding of Intermediate Algebra and Trigonometry is essential for calculus, emphasizing the importance of these subjects in preparing for calculus concepts.
  • Others argue that a good handle on Algebra alone may suffice, with some stating that Trigonometry is not as critical as often believed, particularly for initial calculus problems.
  • One participant mentions that knowledge of Analytic Geometry is beneficial, with another agreeing based on their experience in an introductory calculus course.
  • Several participants highlight the importance of understanding geometric concepts, such as slopes and the Pythagorean theorem, as foundational for calculus.
  • There is a viewpoint that while Trigonometry can be helpful, the essential trigonometric knowledge needed for calculus may be minimal, focusing on basic identities rather than extensive proofs.
  • One participant notes that their experience in calculus did not require a thorough knowledge of Trigonometry until later topics like integration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the necessary mathematical background for calculus, indicating that there is no consensus on a singular set of prerequisites. Some emphasize the importance of Trigonometry, while others downplay its necessity, leading to multiple competing views on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various mathematical topics without resolving the extent to which each is necessary for calculus. There are references to differing experiences in calculus courses, which may influence their perspectives on prerequisites.

T.O.E Dream
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I know that it is essential to learn calculus in physics but then i asked myself how am i going to do that? I thought that you needed to know pre-calculus then i can go ahead and learn actual calculus, until i heard pre-calculus doesn't prepare you for calculus. So what exactly do i need to know? Can someone help me?
 
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T.O.E Dream said:
I know that it is essential to learn calculus in physics but then i asked myself how am i going to do that? I thought that you needed to know pre-calculus then i can go ahead and learn actual calculus, until i heard pre-calculus doesn't prepare you for calculus. So what exactly do i need to know? Can someone help me?

You basically need Intermediate Algebra and Trigonometry. The Pre-Calculus course is designed to increase your algebraic power and help you rigorously review Trigonometry. In case your "Intermediate Algebra" course did not include sequences & series, the Pre-Calculus will include them. Also, the Pre-Calculus course, if done well, includes a good introduction to limits. Again, the essential requirements to qualify for Calculus 1 are Intermediate Algebra and Trigonometry.
 
T.O.E Dream said:
I know that it is essential to learn calculus in physics but then i asked myself how am i going to do that? I thought that you needed to know pre-calculus then i can go ahead and learn actual calculus, until i heard pre-calculus doesn't prepare you for calculus. So what exactly do i need to know? Can someone help me?

I may be full of ****, but I personally believe that all the prep you really need (i.e. all I had) is a good handle on Algebra. Oh, and Trig. Learn trig.
 
you should have a good handle on all mathematical topics taught through high school, this includes algebra I and II (functions, quadratics, linear systems, word problems, polynomials, factoring ...) know geometry well (slopes, areas, distance of lines, pythagorean theorem...), this includes trigonometry know all of the trigonometric functions and how to solve problems with them.
 
You really just need a good handle on algebra. But that's only needed to complete a calculus problem. Once you figure out which calculus concepts are relevant for a particular problem, the rest is basically algebra.

The first calculus course I took did not require the background in trig I had. Knowing the unit circle extremely well and proving many contrived identities was not too helpful. Basically, the trig background that I actually needed was very basic. The pythagorean identity and its immediate derivable identities are perhaps most helpful. If you take a rigorous enough calculus course, you will derive everything in trig through calculus anyways.
 
I saw someone here mentioning that learning Analytic Geometry is very helpful.
 
Raizy said:
I saw someone here mentioning that learning Analytic Geometry is very helpful.

I definitely agree to that. We had an intro to calculus in October and November and now I just sat a test in intro to analytical geometry. I wish it had been the other way around.
 
Algebra, Trigonometry (not essential, but is a good way to get familiar with the idea of a function), Analytic Geometry (basic stuff about working with Cartesian coordinates).

This should be enough to get started on the basic ideas of calculus.
 
In my class a relatively thorough knowledge of trigonometry wasn't essential until integration; however, one could easily make problems which require trig in differential calculus.
 
  • #10
T.O.E Dream said:
I know that it is essential to learn calculus in physics but then i asked myself how am i going to do that? I thought that you needed to know pre-calculus then i can go ahead and learn actual calculus, until i heard pre-calculus doesn't prepare you for calculus. So what exactly do i need to know? Can someone help me?

Have you taken Geometry? I would suggest that you really know your Algebra, and some trigonometry (sin, cos, tan, unit circle). Physics deals with a fair amount of angles, and a ton of algebra. There are plenty of books out there that can help, if you need refreshers in certain topics.
 

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