"Calculus", AoPS Calculus, AP BC Calculus Exam
by IdanCarre, Mar 9, 2015, 3:53 PM
Hey there. Are you thinking of taking AoPS calculus? Or rather, are you thinking about taking calculus at all?
Don't worry about it until you understand:
-How to write a proof, mathematical writing
-Functions in every which way
-Concept of infinity, limits
-Trigonometry
-Polar Coordinates
-Parametric Equations
You can get a very solid understanding of these concepts in the AoPS precalculus class. Perhaps not surprisingly, this is one of the hardest AoPS classes around (to my knowledge). The AoPS calculus class assumes you have a basic (or even advanced) understanding of what I'd call the "framework math" that calculus applies to. For example, you have to understand the mechanics of parametric equations essentially 100% if what you want to do is understand how derivatives of these functions are useful. In other words, if you want to learn and appreciate calculus, you have to have a strong foundation in the underlying framework math that calculus is applied to, otherwise you'll be trying to take precalculus with calculus on top. Not a good idea if you want to enjoy yourself. And you should enjoy yourself- math should not be the bane of your existence.
So say you took a great precalc class, and you took AoPS calc. Are you ready for the AP Calc BC exam? If you're a genius, the answer might be yes, but for the rest of us the answer is most definitely NO. This is not to say that the AoPS class does not teach the material needed for the AP calc BC exam; If anything, the AoPS class will teach you calculus to the nth degree- way more complicated than you need to know for the AP exam. Rather, the AoPS class does not acquaint you at all with the way graders are looking for answers on FRQs, what kinds of questions will come up in the MC and FRQs, how to use your graphing calculator efficiently for FRQS (free response questions), etc. These are topics you will have to learn more about through self study (buy some AP prep books) or by hunting down a tutor.
Do let me know your thoughts on this.
-Idan
Don't worry about it until you understand:
-How to write a proof, mathematical writing
-Functions in every which way
-Concept of infinity, limits
-Trigonometry
-Polar Coordinates
-Parametric Equations
You can get a very solid understanding of these concepts in the AoPS precalculus class. Perhaps not surprisingly, this is one of the hardest AoPS classes around (to my knowledge). The AoPS calculus class assumes you have a basic (or even advanced) understanding of what I'd call the "framework math" that calculus applies to. For example, you have to understand the mechanics of parametric equations essentially 100% if what you want to do is understand how derivatives of these functions are useful. In other words, if you want to learn and appreciate calculus, you have to have a strong foundation in the underlying framework math that calculus is applied to, otherwise you'll be trying to take precalculus with calculus on top. Not a good idea if you want to enjoy yourself. And you should enjoy yourself- math should not be the bane of your existence.
So say you took a great precalc class, and you took AoPS calc. Are you ready for the AP Calc BC exam? If you're a genius, the answer might be yes, but for the rest of us the answer is most definitely NO. This is not to say that the AoPS class does not teach the material needed for the AP calc BC exam; If anything, the AoPS class will teach you calculus to the nth degree- way more complicated than you need to know for the AP exam. Rather, the AoPS class does not acquaint you at all with the way graders are looking for answers on FRQs, what kinds of questions will come up in the MC and FRQs, how to use your graphing calculator efficiently for FRQS (free response questions), etc. These are topics you will have to learn more about through self study (buy some AP prep books) or by hunting down a tutor.
Do let me know your thoughts on this.
-Idan