Fourth year of math

ucbalumnus
Thu, 03 May 2012 14:10:19 +0000

Sikorsky:

I think there is value in knowing the key concepts of calculus–especially the concepts in first-semester college calculus: instantaneous rate of change, area under the curve, etc. But if a student is not really ready to master them, I don’t see any value in his beating himself senseless trying.



However, a student in a position to take calculus in high school is a year ahead of the normal sequence in math. Therefore, s/he is good at math. And high school calculus AB, if offered (as is apparently the usual case), would be a gentler introduction to calculus than a full speed calculus course in college if such a student is uncertain about math.