What Do I Need to Know for Calculus 2?

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    Calculus Calculus 2
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the preparation needed for Calculus 2, with participants sharing their experiences and suggestions based on their own coursework. The scope includes theoretical concepts, course content expectations, and personal study strategies.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about their readiness for Calculus 2 based on their current class's coverage.
  • Another suggests reviewing the course description and using a solutions manual to prepare.
  • Some participants indicate that knowledge of differentiation rules and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FTC) is essential for success in Calculus 2.
  • It is noted that different schools may cover different topics in their calculus sequences, affecting what is needed for Calculus 2.
  • One participant lists topics they covered in Calculus 1, suggesting that if similar topics were covered, the student should be prepared for Calculus 2.
  • Several participants mention the importance of understanding integration techniques and series as part of Calculus 2 content.
  • There are mixed experiences regarding the use of calculators in class, with some stating they were not allowed to use them, which may have impacted their learning experience.
  • One participant shares their experience with double integrals and series in their Calculus 2 course, indicating a difference in course structure.
  • Another emphasizes studying the fundamental theories behind integration and application techniques.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of certain foundational topics for Calculus 2, such as the FTC and integration techniques. However, there is no consensus on the specific prerequisites, as experiences vary significantly based on individual courses and institutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying coverage of topics in Calculus 1 and 2 across different schools, which may affect preparedness. There is also a lack of clarity on specific prerequisites due to differing course structures.

Who May Find This Useful

Students preparing for Calculus 2, educators reviewing course content, and individuals interested in understanding the prerequisites for advanced calculus courses.

Quadruple Bypass
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I overheard some of my classmates in Cal 1 talking about how the professor is only going over basic things and we arent even ready for Cal 2. so my question is what do i need to know for Cal 2? I want to try to get ready for it over the break. :(
 
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If I was in your situation I would continue where the class left off
and check the course description to see what Calculus 2 is supposed to cover. A solutions manual to your book, if available and if you don't have one, is probably a great idea also. Goodluck and have fun:)
 
If your Calc. 2 class is like mine was, you'll need to know differentian rules and the fundamental theorem of calculus. You'll start the class on the FTC then move on to integration rules and techniques.

You should definitely check out the syllabus ahead of time though. That's a good idea in general, actually.
 
Quadruple Bypass said:
what do i need to know for Cal 2?

Only someone who knows the calculus courses at your school can answer that question. Different schools divide topics differently among the courses in their calculus sequence.
 
MY calc 1 class basically mostly covered all of the fundamentals of differential calculus (limits, derivative definition and rules, FTC, graphing by first and second derivatives and critical points, optimization, related rates, and some basic integration by substitution). If your calc 1 class is covering all of these things, then you will be ready for most calc 2 classes.

IF yoru calc 2 class is anything like my calc 2 class, it will cover integration techniques and series. (integration of various trig functions, trig sub, integration by parts, integration by partial fractions, maclaurin and taylor series, series tests, and arc length). the calc 1 concepts above were sufficient preparation for calc 2.
 
wow that sucks. he didnt let us use calculators in the class so i guess he went easy on us because all we did really go over was limits, derivatives, max and min values, mean value thm, and very basic antiderivatives
 
Continue your study of antiderivatives, and you should be okay. Read about the Fundamental theorem of Calculus, finding ares, and finding volumes.
 
Quadruple Bypass said:
wow that sucks. he didnt let us use calculators in the class so i guess he went easy on us because all we did really go over was limits, derivatives, max and min values, mean value thm, and very basic antiderivatives

MY calc prof did not allow calculators either, but your class didn't cover much less than mine.
 
Last edited:
my cal2 was double integral, del operator, and series.
graphic calculator wasnt allowed in the class. but i finished my final without anything but a pencil. (scientific was okay)
 
  • #10
leon1127 said:
my cal2 was double integral, del operator, and series.
graphic calculator wasnt allowed in the class. but i finished my final without anything but a pencil. (scientific was okay)


That was my Calc IV. Well, no, series was Calc II. But all the multivariable was Calc IV for me (we're on quarters not semesters).
 
  • #11
Just study the fundamental theories behind integration, then I would move on to techniques of integration (the basic tricks behind solving integral problems), and if you have time to applications of integration.
 
  • #12
Thanks everyone for your help! :D
 

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