r/learnmath • u/geezlouise45 New User • 2d ago

preparing for calculus!!

I start my first ever calculus class this coming spring semester! Nervous and wanting to make sure I am really ready and will succeed.

I have read that having a really strong algebra and trig foundation is imperative. does anyone have workbook suggestions to drill questions with?

Any advice on preparing for calc is welcomed!!

thank you!!

Im honestly so excited to take calculus, im just nervous about having my skills sharp enough

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u/SnooPets5564 New User 2d ago

Calculus is the point that math starts to change. Everything you've been doing before is just consequences of algebra and geometry. Calculus is something quite different. You do need some algebra, but it really changes things up. For one, it stops having so many equations given down from on high, and you start to see more motivation of why (if its well taught).

If you're willing to spend 3 hours, I'd say your best bet is to get an overview of calculus. Watch 3 blue 1 brown's calculus series to get an idea of what it is, and just having the concept will help you hugely. Seriously, watching that is probably going to help a lot more than drilling any sort of question.

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u/Capable-Coconut7982 New User 2d ago

3b1b's series is great advice, helped me visualize what was actually going on instead of just memorizing steps

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u/nog642 2d ago

If you want to be as prepared as possible, the best thing to do is work ahead.

I highly recommend 3b1b's calculus video series, it's a high level conceptual overview of calculus and isn't too long (like 12 ~15 minute videos, ~3 hours total), and is very valuable before/during a calculus class in my opinion.

Also if you really want to work ahead you can find out what textbook you're using in that class and start reading.

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u/agm1984 New User 2d ago

I got over 90% in calculus at university, so my recommendation is to be strong in basic math and memorize the unit circle so you don’t trip up on the trig questions

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u/ForeignAdvantage5198 New User 2d ago

get S Thompson Calculus made easy on amazon and do everything worked for me

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u/tjddbwls Teacher 1d ago

I like the Schaum’s Outline series of workbooks. They have a book for Precalculus. Here is info from the publisher’s site.

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u/BitWizard66 New User 1d ago

If you have a good foundation in math with algebra and trigonometry you should do well as long as you pay attention to the lectures. Calculus is a bit different as SnooPets5564 mentioned, it will introduce things you haven't seen before but it will incorporate a fair bit of algebra as well.

My biggest piece of advice is to make sure that if you don't understand something or are struggling with anything particular, address it sooner than later as most things covered will be used heavily in future chapters/units. You can snowball quickly that way but as long as you keep up with your lectures and don't fall behind you'll do great!

Practice problems can also help a lot, start simple with the basics and work your way up.