Is it possible to understand Calculus if....?

Question

So I took honors pre-calc last year and I passed it with a C, almost with a B though. Miracle cause I really thought i was going to pass with a D. Anyways is Calculus similar to pre-calc. My friend told me the course is so diffrent from pre-calc , calculus is when it ALL COMES TOGETHER. he said all he learned in pre-calc was for nothing.

Answer 1

I think pre-calc is good for people who have a poor background in algebra 2.  Otherwise, pre-calc is a waste.  To succeed in calc, you need to thoroughly understand limits, exponential functions (y=e^x, etc.), graphing conic sections (this is HUGE in calc), and have a solid command of formula creation and manipulation.  If you struggle with word problems because you can't figure out how to come up with the formula, you will be lost in calculus.

I've tutored math for years, and have an engineering degree.  I tell all my calc students that they will learn as much in calc 1 & 2 as they did from algebra through trig.  It comes in baby-steps, but there's a lot of baby steps.  It is certainly do-able, and not impossible, but it is a lot of work and well worth it.  If you do well in the high school level, you will have no problem with advanced math in college.

Good luck!

Answer 2

In precalc you learn the how in calc you learn the why. It is very different, it is not a plug and chug sort of class like precalc you have to visualize what is going on. If you struggled in precalc more than likely you'll struggle in calc (sorry) just seek help when you need it and try every problem