Calculus is the mathematical study of change. (Which means a lot of Δ really.) Being in my senior year I take this class and while I normally excel at mathematics, it was my lowest grade. I got a B. Cue screaming. However, I can and WILL rise my grade. I’ve been working and practicing like never before and I have actually come to love the class.
These are the things I have learned + Resources
1. Practice everyday
I can’t stress this enough. Maths are all about practicing. Sure if you use a textbook there will be answer sheets online but you will NEVER learn that way (unless you’re a freaking genius). Do your hw yourself. NO CHEATING. With that said I will clarify what is not cheating.
Searching for the principles.
Check your final answers with answer sheets.
Asking a tutor, teacher, friend, neighbor, parent, stranger in the street...to explain the exercise.
Searching for examples that look like the exercise you are struggling with.
Check your final answers with answer sheets. Srsly this way you will practice, learn and know for sure that you have learnt.
Resources for practicing
Notes, Practice and Assignment problems from an university teacher --> Algebra, Calculus I, Calc II, Calc III, and Differential Equations.
Calculus Calculator ---> Srsly, check this out. Mathway is amazing.
Calc Problems + Review Tests---> Step by Step Examples
2. Listen to your teacher
This should be pretty obvious especially since you let your mind wander for two minutes and suddenly she/he has already thought half the class how to know when a limit is equal to 0 or infinite. Been there, done that. However, some math teachers are like mine, and have a strict way of how to teach every subject/don’t like to take questions/skips many steps assuming that they are obvious for everybody.
So what can you do when your math lessons are not enough?
Try reading the content before class so you have a general idea of the topic.
Google the topic.
Keep index cards with the values and theorems you need.
Use learning websites for video lessons.
Ask someone who have already taken the class. Bonus points if they took it with your current teacher so you can learn the best methods for studying for your tests.
Learning Resources
Video Lessons ---> Khan Academy is a favorite for students
Animated Video Lessons ---> My personal favorite. Maths can be fun.
Not a fan of videos? ---> If you prefer written lessons.
Math Dictionary ---> the web’s most extensive mathematics resources
Derivatives and Limits Sheet ---> Properties and Rules
Integrals Sheet --->Theorems and Properties
3. Other Tips
Don’t stress on you exam. This is the major problem of all those students who hate maths.
Memorize those formulas.
Work on that algebra and trig. Know how to graph an equation,and how to make an equation out of a graph.
Search for math jokes in your study breaks. Will keep you motivated.
Do homework. Do it. DO IT!
Always ask “where did this number came from?” while you are stuying the problems you did at class.
4. Other Tumblr Posts
AP Masterpost ---> AP resources
AP Testing ---> Tips & Tricks
Chain Rule Animation ---> I love animations
Math Joke ---> Why not?
How To Take Math Notes ---> This will save your GPA
