Author Topic: Calculus... (Read 812 times)

Race · « **on:** November 28, 2008, 01:30:24 PM »

Any tips for learning calculus on your own in six weeks? I am trying to take the CLEP (credit by examination) test for calculus. If I can pass it will take a year or more off my schedule. Needless to say its a big deal for me. I am pretty strong in Algebra and Trig but never touched calculus. (Hey at least I wont have to unlearn anything.) I bought the exam guide for the test so I know what questions are going to be on the test. Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering major if you were curious....what are these jet thingies?

Race

Tarmac · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2008, 01:40:03 PM »

you may be able to pass the clep in 6 weeks, but you won't learn calc. Especially if integrals are involved. Do you really want to shortcut around one of your most important fundamental classes in an engineering degree? I'd bet it will come back to haunt you later.

texasmom · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2008, 02:18:16 PM »

I CLEP'd a whole bunch of english courses ~ but it was because I already knew the fundamentals of each course. For a calculus course, I'd take the course & not CLEP the thing if you don't already have a good grasp of it.

Race · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2008, 02:45:06 PM »

I can see where your coming from on this and probly should have been more specific. There are 4 calculus classes that I have to take to move on to USF. Calc I,II and III along with Differiental Equations. The CLEP will be for Calculus I and II so I will still have two more to go. The real issue is I cant start physics (a series of two classes) until Calc II is passed. I dont want to take this test for some of the reasons you brought up. On the other hand taking 2 and half years of classes for a minor on top of 3 years for the major is just not likely to happen. Even if I CLEP non-critical courses it leaves me in the same bind. I figured IF I passed that would still leave me two classes to actually learn the nuts and bolts so to speak.

CLEP Test:5% Limits, 55% DIfferential Calculus, and 45% Intergral Calculus

Race

Yossarian · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2008, 03:15:09 PM »

http://www.mathtutor.ac.uk/viewdisks.php

This might help you, I've used it a few times. Good luck

Race · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2008, 03:39:50 PM »

Yossarian,
Thanks for the link....looks promising!

Race

texasmom · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2008, 03:50:23 PM »

Good luck!

Gaidin · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2008, 05:07:13 PM »

Well, I don't recommend it, but if you are bent on doing it. I would suggest going to a College bookstore, finding the Calc books they use, the go to publisher and see if they have an interactive version. That is the book comes with disks that follow along with book and give visible examples. The book the college uses may have optional disk that can be baught to go with it. This will help if you are a visual learner.

Maverick · « **Reply #8 on:** November 28, 2008, 06:54:56 PM »

You normally get the "nuts and bolts" of a subject in the base classes for it, not the advanced classes. I'd be leery about taking the shortcut as well. I share the thought that it may well come back and bite you later.

MORAY37 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2008, 11:06:13 PM »

I would definately not recommend CLEP'ing calculus unless you are extemely proficient and have a photographic memory.
Calc is one of your base courses in all advanced degrees.

Urchin · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2008, 04:20:43 PM »

I'd take the class.

When I went to school, Calc I was derivatives, II was integrals, and III was multivariable I & II.

If you are planning on Aerospace engineering, I would certainly take the classes - you will use Calc a lot and it would be wise to have a solid understanding of it.

SIK1 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2008, 05:31:28 PM »

I say take the easy way out, as a matter of fact take as many short cuts as you can. Engineers don't really need to know all that stuff.

The computers will do all the hard work for you anyway. Shees it's not like it's rocket science or anything.

Curlew · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2008, 05:33:01 PM »

I learned it in two weeks, but my university had a free tutoring service and my mother is a math professor

bj229r · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2008, 05:36:54 PM »

Quote from: Race on November 28, 2008, 02:45:06 PM

I can see where your coming from on this and probly should have been more specific. There are 4 calculus classes that I have to take to move on to USF. Calc I,II and III along with Differiental Equations. The CLEP will be for Calculus I and II so I will still have two more to go. The real issue is I cant start physics (a series of two classes) until Calc II is passed. I dont want to take this test for some of the reasons you brought up. On the other hand taking 2 and half years of classes for a minor on top of 3 years for the major is just not likely to happen. Even if I CLEP non-critical courses it leaves me in the same bind. I figured IF I passed that would still leave me two classes to actually learn the nuts and bolts so to speak.

CLEP Test:5% Limits, 55% DIfferential Calculus, and 45% Intergral Calculus

Race

I flunked Calculus twice at USF! Once in '77, once in '78 (finally passed it in '95)

Race · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2008, 05:53:58 PM »

So far Ive only spent about a solid day studying and the good news it makes sense. To be honest it looks alot like trig where its easy once you know it. Some of you act like I wont even be learning calculus tho. My physics class is going to included alot of calculus and there are still 2 more calculus classes. Truth be told I had considered taking the test and if I passed taking calculus anyway. It would be the best of both worlds if the registar office would let me but it wouldnt mean extra credits tho.

Race

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