<p>I’m looking to take one of these courses for my IGETC math requirement. My college allows us to take pretty much any math couse for credit by exam. Which one would you say is the easiet topic that someone could grasp alone? (It would just be me, a book, and khanacademy really)</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Stats is generally the easiest. It has been years, but I believe the AP prep books cover it quite nicely.</p>
<p>I’d go with algebra. Some stats stuff can be really annoying and confusing; algebra is pretty much here solve this by doing that ok.</p>
<p>College algebra or statistics by far. I’m in business calculus right now, and while it’s not exactly a really difficult class it has a lot of information that you need to know. College algebra is pretty straight forward, and khan academy should have videos covering every topic. Statistics is pretty easy to study for as well; it does require more analytical thinking though. If I was in your position and I was fairly good at math I would do the college algebra.</p>
<p>id go stat over college algebra. Algebra is easier but I feel there is so much that you can get tested on where as stat may be a bit more complex at first but it doesn’t have so much material as algebra does. But you do use algebra for stat so keep that in mind.</p>
<p>You use algebra for stats? Hmm… in my stats class algebra was barely touched… all done with the trusty TI-83.</p>
<p>^Well how “algebra” does this sound? It’s the course description for my CC’s statistics section.</p>
<p>“This course uses technology to analyze data. Topics include measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, graphical techniques, measures of relative position, probability, hypothesis testing, sampling, estimation, correlation, prediction, linear regression, collection and analysis of data and how inferences about a population are made from samples. Identifying, understanding strengths and weaknesses of different experiment designs, knowing the characteristics of a controlled experiment.”</p>
<p>My foundation in math is not strong, but that’s just because I never focus on my math class relative to the rest of my schedule. I strongly believe that I’ll do well in it if I spend a summer soley on stats/bcalc/algebra/whatever.</p>
<p>And maybe it’s just me, but it doesn’t look like Business Calc covers much? At least by my catalog’s description.</p>
<p>“Algebra review; functions; polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; differentiation and integration; the definite integral.”</p>
<p>Looks like Alebgra 2 + derivatives and the integral.</p>
<p>And then there’s college algebra.</p>
<p>“The course covers: simplification of calculus-type expressions; graphs of polynomial and rational functions; root finding; types and graphs of basic functions including piecewise defined functions; graphing techniques involving translations, reflections, shrinking/stretching; analysis and graphs of conic sections; modeling of calculus-type word problems; exponential and logarithmic functions; sequences and series; and the Binomial Theorem.”</p>
<p>Sounds very similar to second semester Precalc in high school. (and I was one of THOSE students that had to take it in their senior year, so the info is still there in my mind)</p>
<p>Yeah, that stats description sounds similar to the one I took. I had zero issues with algebra, but there were certain aspects of stats which were really annoying. Much of it had to do with word problem type stuff instead of just plug and chug, so that was definitely part of it. Another thing to consider: I literally drained the batteries on my TI-83 twice doing homework and studying for tests. If you enjoy punching in tons and tons of numbers, take stats lol.</p>
<p>The description for college algebra doesn’t seem like it’s UC transferable. Regardless, I think stats is the easiest to self study for. A good deal of the class is just making histograms and other things that don’t really require math. Almost no knowledge of basic algebra is required.</p>
<p>Do you really get the units for credit by exam? How many units are you getting for each class?</p>
<p>Well my catalog lists college algebra as UC/CSU transferable so I assume it is.</p>
<p>And yes; you can get units through credit by exam for sure. The head of the department of whatever subject you’re testing for gives you a final exam to take. After completion you’ll get a letter grade for the course based on your test score and the units (there’s even an option to take it for pass/no pass). College algebra, statistics, and business calculus are worth three, four, and five units respectively at my CC.</p>
<p>I’d say take College Algebra, but make sure you wont need a higher level math if you plan on going to graduate school. I took Algebra because I had already taken the intermediate course, then when I starting looking at requirements for grad school I noticed I would need to take calculus. Now I’m going to have to go backwards by taking prerequisite classes just to take the class I need to get to calc since I used a different pathway.</p>