<p>I know the Math 20 series, having just completed 20 C. I am advising a friend who having completed 20 A with a B-, is now enrolled in 20 B but thinking of switching to 10 B. Other than the headline “10 B is easier”, what exactly are the differences in terms of depth of topics; breadth of topics; nature of problems; grading (easier to get A’s?) etc. Also, what kind of calculators are allowed in 10 B? (graphics?)</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Any and all calculators are allowed on exams/quizzes in the Math 10 series. (How can you not get an A in this class when your TI-89 can integrate for you?)</p>
<p>As for topics, Math 10B begins with PDF/CDF graphs (probability), and integrals have yet been introduced (as they already had been in 20A). All integration (u-substitution, integration by parts, etc, etc) are not taught in much depth (everything works out well, u-substitution does not require replacing the original function in terms of u into the integral to solve, instead everything is easily solvable), 3-D functions are only rotated about the x-axis, and if, at all, any of the functions include a hole/radius/sphere, it is a simple 1-unit radius (easily calculated). Integration involving logarithms are simple, etc, etc. Less sections are covered per week (nearly 1/3 to 1/2 less than in the 20 series!) and material is relatively simple. When comparing the 10 and 20 series, I’d say 10B and 20B deviate from each other the most in regards to material covered. In 20B, Taylor/Maclaurin series are covered, as well as polar coordinates; these are never covered in the 10 series at all. (Taylor polynomials are introduced at a very limited level in 10C).</p>
<p>I got a B in 20A, with a lot of hard work and dedication to the subject, and then picked up 20B/10B winter quarter to see which one I’d rather take (for pre-med purposes). Didn’t buy the 10 series textbook until finals week, never went to lecture except for 3 Fridays (for quizzes) and came out with an easy A.</p>
<p>About it being easier to get an A, well, that’s all relative to how well you do in the class. I’d say that about the same amount of A’s are given out in both the 10 and 20 series, and thus being at the top of your class is really the only way to guarantee an A. A lot of pre-med (Human Biology, General Biology) students take the 10 series, so you’ve got competition with them, but then there’s the 20 series–full of math majors, physics, chemistry and engineering students who are probably really good at math to begin with anyway. </p>
<p>Hope this helps D:</p>
<p>what is her major? if its engineering then it requires the 20 series.</p>
<p>Thank you Radiance.</p>
<p>Her major is Econ.</p>
<p>Regarding Radiance’s post, it is 10C that begins with PDF/CDF graphs. 10B begins with the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and simple integrals. And then you proceed on to what Radiance mentioned: substitution, integration by parts, finding volume by rotating around axis, convergence/divergence, etc.</p>
<p>Any graphing calculator is allowed for the 10 series. The profs teaching it drop your lowest quiz score and use two grading systems. The systems differ in how much weight your midterms + finals have on your grade. Be sure to do well on the quizzes since in both systems they make up 15% of your grade. The profs will see under which system you individually do better in and will give you the higher grade.</p>
<p>Thank you MiniatureDrone.</p>
<p>Radiance, I have a question for you. Did you attend classes for 10B/20B at the same time but chose to get credit for 10B? Thanks again for your help.</p>
<p>I just took Math 10B with Evans and we couldn’t use calculators on the midterms and finals. The tests were so easy I wouldn’t have used one anyway, but just throwing it out there. The 10 series is essentially just an easier version of the 20 series. If your friend has a choice, I don’t know why they wouldn’t be doing the 10 series. If a cashier asked you if you wanted to pay $100 or $200 for your groceries at the store, you’d pick $100. You have the option to do either, but one’s just kind of unnecessary. That’s how I see it. :)</p>
<p>Um, so I’m just using this thread because it’s related to the 10B series and I didn’t want to start a new one :…
if we did really poorly on the first midterm for 10b, is it worth it to stick around in the class and try to score higher on midterm 2 and the final, so we can drop midterm 1? or are the future tests tough enough that we should consider withdrawal?..</p>
<p>^I dont think you can drop your lowest midterm.</p>
<p>The professor will use the grading system in which your final will hold more weight and your midterms less.</p>
<p>thanks for the response - but I’m pretty sure these are the two grading options
(the second option includes only the best midterm. our professor went over this at the beginning of the quarter)</p>
<p>…
Your cumulative average will be the best of the following two weighted averages:</p>
<pre><code>* 15% Quizzes, 20% Midterm Exam I, 20% Midterm Exam II, 45% Final Exam
<p>I was just wondering if anyone who has taken the class could tell me if it is a good idea to stick with it, or if it is not realistic to try to score highly on the upcoming exams.</p>