How to start out math from scratch?

Graduate School
1

<p>I need to revive my math skills in preparation for my ambition to apply for grad school in biostatistics. I have credit for up to calculus 2, which means I must have learned that much. High school was 3 years ago and i am graduating a year early. I am completely lost as to how and where I am supposed to start off. I probably don’t remember much, but I have no way of knowing how much of my math I have left in my brain, and I want to be sure that I have each step covered before jumping on to the next. </p>

<p>Does anyone have any recommendation on books I can use to self teach math up to calculus 2 (and maybe possibly get a taste of calc 3 and beyond if that is something I can teach myself)?</p>

2

<p>Here’s what I would do if I were you, look up the textbook for Calc 3 for your University, then go onto amazon and try to find an old version of that textbook that costs like $7.</p>

3

<p>You’ll need to take actual classes in Calc 3 and Linear Algebra to be taken seriously at any decent biostatistics program. It wouldn’t hurt to pick up a class in probability and/or mathematical statistics either. Are you thinking of applying for Fall 2013? If so, then you might consider taking these classes over the summer, or at least registering for them before you apply.</p>

4

<p>Yes, i know calc 3 was far fetched but my question was moreabout reteaching myself stuff before that ( which ive forgotten)</p>

5

<p>You might look into Saxon’s Calculus textbook and its Solution Manual. The solution manual has some of the most detailed explanations for how to solve the problems around. It is a homeschool textbook so it’s designed for self-study and it covers Cal 1 and most of Cal 2. </p>

<p>You might also consider looking into something cheap but straightforward like the Humongous Book of Calculus Problems. It works through the most common types of Cal 1 and 2 problems by providing a short section of notes and then some example problems that have accompanying step by step solutions. </p>

<p>Since each provides fairly comprehensive examples of how to answer problems types, I found them both to be fairly handy for self-study and, especially, as a refresher for material I had learned but forgotten. The textbook and solution manual offer better notes and more worked through problems. But, even bought used off Amazon, they will run you 5 or 6 times the price of the Calculus Problems Book.</p>