# Courses Memorizeing steps and math?

1. Dec 4, 2017

### Apple_Mango

Hello, I am almost done with Algebra 1. I am curious to know how many steps do higher levels math like Calculus three have. I keep thinking how higher levels maths has 150 steps to memorize just for one equation. I hope my speculation isn't true. How many steps does an equation have once I got to higher levels maths like Cal 3? Are the amount of steps needed to memorize in higher level math as numerous as Algebra 2?

Last edited by a moderator: Dec 4, 2017
2. Dec 4, 2017

I have found in general that most of the more advanced mathematics really doesn't tax the memory all that much if you understand the principles that it is using. Learning the fundamentals is important, and it is important to have a solid foundation in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry to be ready for calculus. Calculus builds a lot off of these more basic subjects, and if you learn them well, calculus should not be too terribly difficult to understand. If anything, the part of the memory that calculus uses is being able to remember all the algebra, geometry, and trigonometry that you have previously learned. $\\$ Editing: One additional tip that may be helpful: If you forget some of the algebra, geometry, and trigonometry a few weeks or months after you have learned it, don't be afraid to go back and review it, and relearn it, if necessary. You are likely to find after relearning it a couple of times, that it really becomes committed to memory.

3. Dec 4, 2017

### Staff: Mentor

Even as an EE, I do a lot of manual math in my R&D work. There just don't seem to be too many automated computer tools that can help me do it, so I just work through the problems the best that I can. Here are parts of a calculation from a unique electronic filter design from today...You can see that in the end the solution is pretty obvious, but it takes many steps to get to the final simple solution.

https://i.stack.imgur.com/ZaOE1.png

4. Dec 4, 2017

### symbolipoint

No memorizing steps! You will need to UNDERSTAND. You will pick the steps in a problem as you go. Your knowledge and skills in Algebra will allow you to decide on any sequence of steps in a solution process.

5. Dec 4, 2017

### symbolipoint

STEPS MAY VARY.

Skills among any group of Algebra 2 students will also vary. Some students can make small mental step leaps in their heads better than other students in the group and therefore may need to use fewer steps on paper.

6. Dec 5, 2017