I'm terrified of math1a...

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>in class, I have no idea what’s going on because I can’t read the board, and any glimpse I can vaguely make out always ends up being a symbol that is unusual to me… </p>

<p>such as the :, that funky R that means all real numbers, unusual arrows, it’s all just so unusual compared to calculus ab in high school, I thought they were supposed to be the same.</p>

<p>anyways, does the class consist of proofs and a lot more critical thinking compared to calculus AB? I was going over the book and I was able to solve a lot of the questions from prior knowledge but I’m still kind of frightened.</p>

2

<p>You can’t read the board? As in because of the teacher’s handwriting? Don’t fret too much about it I would say. Just go to section and ask questions there. But yes, 1a generally consists of a little more proof than AB which took me by surprise when I took it.</p>

3

<p>I think Ogus is making things much more complicated than it needs to be. And yes, i have a hard time reading the board too. Let’s hope he doesn’t put these weird definitions and symbols in his mids and finals.</p>

4

<p>Some calculus books will include a chapter in the beginning going over important symbols or contain a glossary of important symbols. Stewart’s Calculus doesn’t, and that’s one of the couple reasons why I don’t like his book.</p>

<p>Calculus by Michael Spivak has a glossary of symbols and gives the page numbers to where each symbol is introduced. Luckily, the library has a few copies of Spivak’s Calculus so you can check it out if you get lost. However, if this is your first time learning calculus I would not recommend trying to learn out that book since it can be pretty intimidating for someone who isn’t already comfortable with calculus.</p>

5

<p>you should go to your GSI’s office hours, no one will be there at the beginning of the semester, so take advantage</p>

6

<p>don’t you know most of the stuff already for math 1a if you took calc in highschool…</p>

<p>office hours…do they even help?</p>

7

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<p>definitely, most GSIs really know their stuff, it’s a free tutor if you go</p>