This may sound like a very silly question (and phrased funny): Should I use my free time to study math? I am in 10th grade right now, and next year I will be taking a formal pre-calculus class. My dilemma: studying math now vs. studying computer science, world affairs, etc.
Pros of studying math now:
-getting a head start
-higher chance on AMC test in February and other math competitions
-more enjoyable than learning in class room
-much more understandable from online sources
-definitely “high priority knowledge” that will enhance my logical reasoning
Cons of studying math now:
-opportunity cost when I could be learning things that I won’t learn in class!
-possible boredom in school next year
-high time-consumption
Questions:
-Is pre-calculus easy to pick up in a classroom setting? or is it more intricate, requiring much time to look back at notes at home?
-Does your school teach calculus earlier?
-Do you wish you had studied math better yourself?
if u’re good in algebra2, i would advice u to take AP calc AB since in pre-calc all u do is review all math classes u’ve taken so far. except for new concepts like trigonometry but i am self-studying these.
I never took pre-cal – I actually just studied it on my own and took a placement exam. That said, I found pre-calculus to be an easy, straightforward class, but it is definitely one that requires a LOT of practice.
So…advice I would give is to study trig. And only trig. It’s the hardest part of pre-cal and the only apart that needs serious work.
Ps…I’m doubtful that it’ll help all that much on the AMC. That competition is just crazy hard.
Why not do both? In truth, pre-calc is a lot of review; the first half is algebra 2 that students have forgotten over the summer. If you’re confident with your math it shouldn’t be that bad at all. But as NightShadeQueen said, study the trig (and the polar stuff), that’s what’s hardest.
It won’t help you on AMC, which requires a completely different type of thought. I can’t recall a single question on it that required knowledge from precalc.
Precalc will help you on the AMC 12 and the AIME (but not the AMC 10). I self-studied most of precalc using the Art of Problem Solving Precalculus book, which will definitely help you with those competitions, especially trig (and to a lesser extent, complex numbers).
Protip: if you self-study precalc and you have the time, then it wouldn’t hurt to self-study calc at the same time and take the AP Calc BC exam in May. In most cases, this will allow you to take linear algebra and multivariable calculus at a community college or local university your junior year, thus negating the boredom factor. I didn’t take the AP Calc exam when I was self-studying it during sophomore year and regret it because I have to wait until senior year to take those classes.
That’s an excellent idea, especially considering my school would freak at the thought of a student double-mathing or getting ahead. :] I wish the community colleges around my area weren’t so crowded though.
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Do you think it hurts you much that colleges won’t see your scores until after admissions for those senior year APs?
im taking college pre-calc now and its basically a review of trig and a few new concepts. you should self-study and PRACTICE a lot and just take AP calc the next year. it keeps you ahead, and frees up some space for an extra class next year (:
If you study pre-calc on your own, will your school allow you to skip ahead into Calculus next year (as a junior)? If so, will you have to take a placement test to demonstrate you have the requisite knowledge? If you’ll still have to take pre-calc next year, there’s no point in self-studying. Make sure to work this out with the school prior to spending a significant portion of your time self-studying.
I do not know if they will let me take a placement test. The only exception I’m aware of it a girl who came from another school with a comparatively accelerated syllabus! I will have to work up the guts to ask my counselor about this request.
