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ralfsk8
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first time exposed to Calculus 1 and I'm not doing so well. I'm in the Mechanical Engineering major and I keep getting discouraged that maybe Engineering isn't the right choice for me. any suggestions?
micromass said:Work hard, make lots of exercises, read several texts on the subject, make lots of exercises, watch khanacademy, make lots of exercises,...
CheckMate said:Do well in Calculus 1 because Calculus 2 and 3 are next.
Haha, me, too. I still remember my mom hitting me with a stick whenever I made a mistake in doing math homework, or bringing home a math test that wasn't an A. I ended up taking the equivalent of Calculus I, II and III in high school (and breezing through those classes), only to stumble junior year in college when I took Abstract Algebra I. :yuck:CheckMate said:I think that's why kids are not doing so well in Math and Physics. It's because they've had a weak foundation. I still remember when I used to get hit by my parents for not doing well in math. Then I got the highest marks in math in HS.
ZenOne said:Same here--grade 8 algebra I got a 60% in the first semester because I was trying to be "cool"--my dad gave me a few hand sandwiches and *poof* I ended with a 100% final mark for the nest 3 semesters.
BTW--try your hardest in Cal I--do plenty of examples and try to UNDERSTAND it because it gets more difficult later on. Also, I find the better grasp of Cal I you have (remembering your derivatives) the easier Cal II is.
I remember my mother never really bothered with me toward school at all. I was pretty mediocre in everything, barely did my homework, etc. And then one day POOF.. passion and handwork just hit me out of nowhere (okay well maybe it wasn't SO spontaneous). I thank my mom for not pressuring me whatsoever.. it left room for a lot of self-motivation! But then again it would have saved me a lot of time if I had completely mastered my algebra =D.eumyang said:Haha, me, too. I still remember my mom hitting me with a stick whenever I made a mistake in doing math homework, or bringing home a math test that wasn't an A. I ended up taking the equivalent of Calculus I, II and III in high school (and breezing through those classes), only to stumble junior year in college when I took Abstract Algebra I. :yuck:
BTW--try your hardest in Cal I--do plenty of examples and try to UNDERSTAND it because it gets more difficult later on.
Calculus 1 is a branch of mathematics that deals with the study of continuous change and motion. It is important because it lays the foundation for understanding higher levels of math and is essential in many fields such as physics, engineering, and economics.
Calculus 1 typically covers topics such as limits, derivatives, and integrals. These concepts are used to understand the behavior of functions and how they change over time or in different situations.
Calculus 1 can be a challenging subject for many students, as it requires a strong understanding of algebra and a new way of thinking about math. It is also a cumulative subject, meaning that each concept builds upon the previous one, so it is important to regularly review and practice the material.
There are several ways to improve your performance in Calculus 1. First, make sure you have a solid understanding of algebra and basic math concepts. Additionally, practice regularly and seek help from your instructor or a tutor if needed. It can also be helpful to work on application problems to better understand how to apply the concepts to real-world situations.
Yes, it is normal to struggle with Calculus 1 as it is a new and challenging subject for many students. It takes time and effort to develop a strong understanding of the concepts and how to apply them. Don't get discouraged and seek help when needed, as it is a common experience for many students.