High school math pathways

Hi guys. This is my first post here, but I’ve been lurking for a while now. I am in 10th grade and expect to finish Calculus II by 2025 spring. After taking Calculus III in 11th grade fall, though, I don’t know what is next. I think maybe linear algebra, differential equations, but then what? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but my rural high school only goes up to precalculus, so I’m kind of on my own. Thank you in advance!

Yes on LA and diffeq for S2 11th/12th, could do discrete math as well (sometimes MV includes intro to diffeq, so check that for your Calc III class next year.)

You could also do AP Stats, if that’s of interest…it could be a good fit for certain majors that you might be considering (say if business, psych, or life sciences were under consideration.)

What majors are you thinking about?

@hebegebe?

High school is usually post pre calc - AP Calc AB and/or AP Calc BC. Some kids then take AP Stats or Multivariable.
After Calc BC my student took Multivariable in first semester college then Linear Algebra second semester college.
Be careful about rushing through math, especially if you are taking the advanced courses online vs. in a classroom. There is no upside if you aren’t fully grasping the concepts in the process.

Thanks for the replies! So it would be something like:
11: Calc III, Linear Algebra
12: Differential Equations, Discrete

I go to a rural school, and we don’t have AP classes. I am dual enrolling many through the local community college.

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It seems like my community college lists Calc III and differential equations as different classes (I don’t even know what differential equations means, so I might be misinterpreting, though).

I definitely want to do a STEM major, but I don’t really know anything beyond that. Maybe math, engineering, or physical science (I hated bio), I guess.

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I would do it differently:
Calc3, Calc based Statistics 1
Then
Discrete Math, Linear Algebra

It would cover more math subfields and you probably want to take Diff Equations at at 4-year college as a freshman to start off on the right foot.

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I like that plan! IMO it’s so good to have some stats before college.

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I looked on my course catalog, and there is no calc based stats. There is, however, a “probability and statistics” class with a calc II prerequisite, so I assume that is what you are describing.

In that case, would you reccomend that I take the ordinary statistics class at my high school? I have next to no background in statistics.

Yes :+1::+1:
That class would be better than the basic statistics class at your HS.

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Sorry, I meant do I need an intro to stats type class first?

Typically, calculus based intro stats have only calculus as a prerequisite.

In terms of college majors that may use college soph level math, many use all of calculus 3, linear algebra, and differential equations. Discrete math is more used in computer science, and sometimes suggested for math majors, since it contains more instruction and practice with proofs than the other courses.

The original poster is welcome to continue this conversation using their original account, but since Terms of Service prohibits multiple accounts,I have deactivated the username @briar

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Responding to this late, maybe too late for the OP to see this.

I normally don’t recommend heavy acceleration for math, even for exceptionally talented math students. But given you are going to finish Calculus as a sophomore, you need to have some type of math the last two years.

I think that @MYOS1634 offers very good advice, particularly if you want to challenge yourself. But in terms of admissions chances, high school stats will be fine as well.

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