AP Physics math requirements?

Question

I'm taking the class AP Physics next year (have already taken physics honors).

I am going to take AP calculus BC, and teachers says that I should get to know my calculator (TI-89) this summer.

I would like to know what math I NEED to know before going into that class. Like the derivatives and those sort of things.

I think I'm pretty strong in math, but from what I've heard, calculus is a totally different thing -.- and hard at that. So PLEASE PLEASE help, I don't want to fail AP physics because of my lacking in math.

Answer 1

Assuming you've taken AP Calculus AB, you should have no problem.

Answer 2

Well it depends on the AP Physics class that you will be taking: AP Physics B or AP Physics C.  AP Physics B only requires simple algebra, geometry, and trigonometry while AP Physics C requires Calculus.  I took AP Physics B last year and I thought it was really easy as long as you know how to plug numbers into equations and solve triangles, and I was only in pre-calculus.  I will be taking AP Physics C next year, concurrently with AP Calculus BC, and my physics teacher for next year said that I will have no problem.  Besides, the teacher will be teaching the calculus need in physics for those that do not take calculus.  Most people at my school take AP Physics C wtih AP Calculus or in pre-calculus so there will be no problem.  There are those few that take Calculus 3 but they tend to do no better than everyone else. AP Physics C is supposed to need derivatives and integrals to find slope of a line and area bound by a curve.