Second and third semester calculus in one summer.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of whether to take both Calculus II and Calculus III during the summer session. Participants share their experiences and opinions on the necessity of prior knowledge from Calculus II for success in Calculus III, as well as the implications for future coursework in differential equations and linear algebra.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their readiness for Calculus III after a long break from math and considers taking both Calculus II and III over the summer.
  • Another participant suggests that if the student is dedicated, taking both classes simultaneously should not pose a problem, noting that their own Calculus II class covered integration techniques that were not heavily utilized in Calculus III.
  • A different participant shares a similar sentiment, contemplating the idea of jumping straight into Calculus III and catching up on any necessary Calculus II material as needed.
  • One participant recounts their experience of receiving a C in Calculus II but an A in Calculus III, asserting that Calculus II is not strictly necessary for success in Calculus III.
  • Another participant highlights that knowledge of polar coordinates from Calculus II is important, but other topics like series and integration techniques are less relevant for Calculus III, emphasizing the importance of vector knowledge instead.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of Calculus II for success in Calculus III, with some arguing it is not essential while others suggest certain topics from Calculus II may still be beneficial. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific topics from Calculus II that may or may not be relevant for Calculus III, indicating a lack of consensus on the prerequisites needed for success in the latter course.

tiohn
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I'm back in school after a 5 year break, and need to get back up to speed on my calculus. I took it in high school and did very well on the AP exam, and have taken Calc II twice now, but wasn't even remotely dedicated to any of it, so I got a C both times. I am currently taking a class titled "Introduction to Modern Mathematics" which is required for all math majors at NCSU and focuses on proofs while introducing set theory and whatnot. I am most likely taking Calc II again this summer as a refresher, but just realized that I could also take Calc III as we have two summer sessions. Doing so would allow me to take differentials this fall, along with Intro to Linear Algebra and Intro to Modern Algebra. If I don't take Calc III this summer, I can still take the Linear and Modern Algebra classes this fall, and will merely have to postpone differentials until next spring.

What do you think I should do?
 
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I think as long as you are dedicated, taking both would not be a problem. Our Calc 2 class focused on a ton of integration techniques, and also series. Neither of which we used in Calc 3 (we did solve integrals, tons of them, but they were not nearly the difficult integrals we saw in Calc 2). If your Calc classes are similar I would say go for it.
 
That sounds exactly like ours. I'm actually tempted to just go straight into calc 3 and just pick up whatever I don't recall from calc 2 as I go along.
 
tiohn said:
That sounds exactly like ours. I'm actually tempted to just go straight into calc 3 and just pick up whatever I don't recall from calc 2 as I go along.

Yeah, I got a C in Caculus II but an A in Calculus III. You don't really need Calculus II.

It's funny though. In Differential Equations, you kind of need Calculus II for some techniques and I'm one of the only ones that seem to remember any of Calculus II. Sometimes in the hallways I'll help students with their Calculus II homework. I had a C!
 
the only thing I think you would need from calc II is polar coordinates and integrating using polar coordinates. you don't use series, integration by parts, etc in calc III. knowledge of vectors is far more important
 

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