gonzaemi

Although I am interested in majoring in 9, I am also interested in majoring in 18 (MAYBE in double majoring in those—it seems at least theoretically doable to me since around half of math majors are double majors). However, I don't think I'll place out of 18.01. Do I need advanced standing in math to be a math major? I realize this question seems sort of stupid, but I'm just a bit worried/curious. Thanks.

PiperXP

Nope. You'll be fine

la montagne

Math is actually the most common double major, probably because the requirements are so few. In order to get a general math degree (there are general, applied, and theoretical options), you need 18.01, 18.02, 18.03, 18.06 (or 18.700), plus 8 math classes of your choosing. Not too bad, huh?

I would probably recommend taking 18.01A/18.02A, though, if you have some experience with single-variable calculus but not enough to pass out of the course. In case you don't know, 18.01A/18.02A goes through both 18.01 and 18.02 in the fall semester, finishing up during IAP. If you're not comfortable doing that, though, that's fine too. You don't need to.

gonzaemi

That's actually what I was thinking of doing. Does it matter at all that I didn't take any form of AP Calculus in high school, though?

frutiaspice

It's totally fine. Once you get past the GIRs, everyone is on equal footing with respect to major.

carmel

gonzaemi, if you were asking whether not taking ap calc in high school matters with respect to 18.01A/18.02A--- the answer is that yes, it does matter. 18.01/02A moves quite fast. friends of mine who had a weak or nonexistent calc background quickly found themselves very overwhelmed.

from what i know of the classes, unless you studied calc on your own outside of school, you may be better off taking the normal 18.01/18.02 route. it will not put you at a disadvantage in any respect, and (especially if you decide to do something other than 9) i think you will not regret having done them properly. you can hurry through them if you want, but there's no /need/ to rush.

gonzaemi

Thanks!

can2

OK I'm going to take 18.01. Could anyone recommend a calculator for this class? I'm thinking of a TI89 because that's what I used in high school, but it is kind of expensive and it might not be the right one for the course...I will appreciate any advice. Thank you.

la montagne

Most math classes don't actually use calculators. I can't speak for 18.01 specifically (I started in 18.02) but I have only used calculators at MIT for 5.112 exams, and for that a 4-function calculator would do.

PiperXP

18.01A isn't really accelerated 18.01 - it jumps to the end of 18.01, the parts you don't learn in AP Calc AB. So yes, you want experience

I use my calculator for other day-to-day-ish stuff. For class, not so much. The questions are more theoretical than numerical.