#Advice Needed: Preparing for Calculus with Limited Math Background

9 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

naive wasp
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Hello everyone,

I'm returning to college after a very long break for Computer Science. My math skills need significant improvement to handle the required Calculus I, II, and Linear Algebra courses.
Where I am from we have this thing called CEGEPs which are basically Pre-university programs after high school. So I decided to take these I guess you can call pre-university level math courses to get me ready for the Computer science math courses:

  1. Differential Calculus 103
  2. Integral Calculus 203
  3. Linear Algebra and Vector Geometry 105

I honestly have no idea how different these courses are from the college level ones, but they require them prior to science programs. I'm starting with Differential Calculus this Fall and have only 1.5 months to prepare. Currently, I'm working through Khan Academy's Algebra basics. I also found Professor Leonard's precalculus videos, but they are a little too advanced for me for now.

The Differential Calculus course covers:

  • Functions and Graphs
  • Limits and Continuity
  • Derivatives
  • Elementary Functions
  • Trigonometric Functions
  • Inverse Trigonometric Functions
  • Optimization and Function Analysis
  • Solving Optimization Problems

Given my limited time and math foundation, I'd greatly appreciate any advice on how to go about this. What should I focus on? Should I grind through Khan Academy Algebra and Trigonometry courses before I take the precalculus one? Or should I work backwards from a more advanced course if needed?

Sorry for the long post and Thank you in advance for your guidance!

Lazer

rough emberBOT
onyx gorge
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hello,
The truth is... You have to do everything eventually.
But you can start gradually by focusing on elementary functions, their derivatives, then move to their limits and continuity.
Trigonometric functions and inverse trigonometric functions are a good way to then apply what you have studied above.

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Dont fall into the trap of "covering a lot of things superficially"

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As this will be useless

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Its better to focus on the basics and master them

naive wasp
rough emberBOT
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naive wasp
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