<p>Is Statistics harder/more advanced than Calculus or vice versa? Also, is pre-calculus exactly what it sounds like (says the woman from New York where the scope and content of Math A and B are mysteries for the ages.)</p>
<p>Statistics requires a knowledge of Algebra II, essentially, so the math is easier than in Calculus.</p>
<p>There’s statistics and mathematical statistics. The regular statistics is easier than calculus. Mathematical statistics usually requires calculus. My son’s professor assumed that the class had had linear algebra, multiple integration and that they were comfortable doing proofs.</p>
<p>S1 took AP Calc. AB and then AP Stats. He mentioned once that the Stats class was almost as difficult as the Calc. class for him. He made similiar grades in both and made same score on both AP exams. He was glad he took the stats class because it turned out to be a requirement for his major. He had heard the Stats class at his univ. is really tough so was happy to have it out of the way.</p>
<p>My math geek daughter D1 and her nerd friends always considered AP Stat as “not really” math…</p>
<p>D2 who does not enjoy math AT ALL (luckily sis was around to tutor her through pre-calculus sophomore year), didn’t find AP Stat that difficult (and actually, her really good writing skills helped her tremendously)…and got a 5 on the AP exam. I think in AP stats, it’s less about the mathematics, and more about understanding (and being able to explain) what the data/stats shows. D2 avoided AP Calc; I’m afraid she’ll regret it when she goes to school. I suspect she’ll take pre-calc again at the University level before she takes calculus.</p>
<p>in my school pre-calc didnt introduce any real calculus, it really was just a repeat of honors algebra 3-4 from the previous year. only the last month or 2 did we touch on some new subjects, but not in-depthly so, such as polar graphing!!! yeah!!! yay for pretty patterns :)</p>
<p>but otherwise precalc was pretty much a joke :-/</p>
<p>A 1-year AP Stat class is much easier than a 1-year BC Calc class, if that’s what you’re getting at. It’s probably easier than a 1-year AB Calc class, too, especially for a non-math kid. Stat is also much more useful for a kid who’s not going to take math again. On the other hand someone who wants to take more math in college should study calculus at the highest level possible while in high school.</p>
<p>One of the pre-calc classes at my high school was known as the hardest math class at the school. It’s such a vague description for a class than it really depends on the school. Your daughter should have heard what it’s like at her school.</p>
<p>AP stats is known as a very tough class at our local HS. Honors Precalc much more difficult than regular precalc and you can’t even register for Calc unless you have a B average in Honors Precalc and a recommendation from the teacher. Very few classes are offered.</p>
<p>Stats usually is an easy class. Calculus is higher level of abstract analytical thinking and could be more difficult for somebody who rely more on memory. Pre-calc is not really needed or any indication of readiness for Calc. but unfortunately it is required.</p>
<p>I think Stats is harder than Calculus. Calculus seems more difficult at first, but once you realize that Calculus is two (three) simple concepts, differentiation, integration, (limits). When you get to Reject the Ho, and Fail to Reject the Ho in stats, you begin to hate stats.</p>
<p>stats use calculus when uou get to a certain level, and yeah, stats aren’t really math, you can be good at it and just suck at regular math because they dont require the same mindset.</p>