I'm done being afraid of calculus

[freedomclub]

Years ago I let calculus defeat me and with that all the dreams that calculus was a pre-req for. I've regretted it every day since and I'm tired of feeling that way. I may or may not pursue those dreams again as I've changed a lot since then but I want to defeat calculus, for my own sake, just because I can't let it take away my self-respect along with the degree I never got.

So, what I'm asking is maybe some practical advice. Good books, similar stories, something. I know Steve became a calculus whiz and I'm sure I can too.

[Calculusaurus]

rawr

[autarko]

Hi, I understand that calculus is a big hurdle for many students of science/engineering...

But if instead of fearing it you spend time learning the patterns and attempting problems you will certainly get results. It's a fact that most theoretical science of the past 300 years has been done using calculus.

Here are a couple of links which are the best teach-yourself resources I know of:
Pauls Online Math Notes - Paul's onine math notes
mathematics support for Mathematics & Statistics students - mathcentre

Best of luck!

[pianoperformer]

Did you do OK with trig and algebra? These are very useful skills to have if you want to understand calculus. Indeed, good skills with algebra are requisit.

[Trezker]

Calculus is extremely boring. That's what held me back mostly. I had a very hard time finding it stimulating. I did pass the courses though, barely, I'm lucky to be so talented with logic and math.

All you need to do it stare it down until you realize how stuff works. Repetition and meditation is how you beat the science of math into your head. A mentor that's good at explaining might help too.

[autarko]

Originally Posted by Trezker

Calculus is extremely boring. That's what held me back mostly. I had a very hard time finding it stimulating. I did pass the courses though, barely, I'm lucky to be so talented with logic and math.

All you need to do it stare it down until you realize how stuff works. Repetition and meditation is how you beat the science of math into your head. A mentor that's good at explaining might help too.

I have to agree.
I didn't really want to say it but calculus does involve quite a bit of work for the results you get. It doesn't seem to me to be the highest expression of mathematics. It gets great results though, once you chug through the work. But I believe it will soon be replaced in science by a more geometric approach.

But calculus is what we have and the best way to learn it is to first get good at arithmetic (FRACTIONS!), then practise algebra, trigonometry... and just get stuck in. Calculus is really quite mechanical - you just need to practise it.

[pianoperformer]

Wow really, boring? A lot of work? I have to disagree. I found it quite interesting. I doubt it'll be replaced, because it works.

[Calculusaurus]

Calculus is hard on students for two reasons.

1. depth of understanding is rewarded over rote memorization of problem solving techniques. Any fool can do algebra. (e.g.) Memorize the quadratic formula and apply it without questioning where it came from or what it means. In calculus, you're rewarded for asking questions like "what does the integral actually mean?" Probing those questions will be critical to your success.

2. Calculus is our first encounter of difficult abstract concepts with no "grounding". Our brains were better suited get an intuitive grasp of algebra and geometry (though some evolutionary psychologists consider even those to be social conditioning). Calculus is hard because at first glance it seems like an arbitrary set of pointless rules and techniques (it's not).

According to Jean Piaget, the fourth and final stage of cognitive development is the Formal Operations Stage, which is characterized by the ability to think in the abstract reasoning and understand logical proofs. According to some studies, something like 70% of the population never reach this stage, but I wouldn't take a dead Swiss philosopher's theory too seriously.

[autarko]

"depth of understanding is rewarded over rote memorization of problem solving techniques."

I think this applies to all fields, not just calculus. It just depends to what level they are being studied.

I agree that it is very interesting and satisfying to construct integrals and differential equations but the methods of solution involve so many techniques and tricks that I can't help feeling there's something more powerful and simple which will eventually replace it.

But I would encourage the OP to give calculus another go, if only to broaden your cultural education.

[niche]

I'm with pianoplayer on this all the way! I'm in calculus now and will be finished with the course next Thursday. I've got an A in the class. I tried taking it in 2006. Didn't do so well and finally dropped the course. I didn't have the knowledge to jump right into calculus. This time I took an Algebra and Trig II class before attempting it again. Smooth sailing all the way. My degree is in education, so if you ever want to have another go at it and have questions, feel free to ask! There are tricks to math. I kind of see it like the transformers of my childhood. The small matchbox cars that turned into robots with the twisting and bending of this and that to make everything fit just how it should. It's fun.

[konmai]

i hate to say this, but i don't really understand any of the math. somehow i aced anyway by solving whatever problems was on the exams.

i also aced calculus 1 & 2 via straight memorization and also had no interest in math whatsoever. i definitely was not inspired, motivated or got excited by math (at all!). it was getting the "A" that excited me.

if math is really not your thing (like me), find something else that excites you to get through that class.

[goldtoe360]

"In mathematics you don't understand things. You just get used to them." - John von Neumann

I find that I do very well in subjects/classes that I'm interested in, and do poorly in classes where I'm not.

I think one of the main reasons people find math uninteresting is that they see no practical everyday application of it (algebra/trig yes, not so much calculus).

If I could make millions of moolah working with calculus my interest would definitely sky rocket.

[stephania]

Originally Posted by freedomclub

Years ago I let calculus defeat me and with that all the dreams that calculus was a pre-req for. I've regretted it every day since and I'm tired of feeling that way. I may or may not pursue those dreams again as I've changed a lot since then but I want to defeat calculus, for my own sake, just because I can't let it take away my self-respect along with the degree I never got.

So, what I'm asking is maybe some practical advice. Good books, similar stories, something. I know Steve became a calculus whiz and I'm sure I can too.

Hi all,

In regards with Calculus this subject is very hard for but I need to take this course to finish and get my degree in Computer Science.

Like freedomclub I'm done being afraid of calculus. Through this fear I learn that should not afraid or hate that subject instead keep studying on it.

[Trezker]

Originally Posted by goldtoe360

I think one of the main reasons people find math uninteresting is that they see no practical everyday application of it (algebra/trig yes, not so much calculus).

As a programmer math is of very much use to me. But the way we study math is what I find boring, as well as useless. I hate writing by hand and doing a thousand simple calculations over and over again. I wanted to study math through programming.

[pianoperformer]

Trezker,

As a programmer, unless you do something very complex, math really rarely comes in use. The use of it is in the ability to problem solve.

[Trezker]

Well if you're a boring programmer in a cubicle maybe. I'm a game programmer, lots of graphics and physics that require vector and matrix math.

And don't say databases isn't about math.

[pianoperformer]

True, game programming would include a lot of that. But most programmers aren't game programmers.

I really think I would've enjoyed game programming, but I didn't go that route because of all the graphics. That's why I always liked making web sites more, because I could just get a designer to do the design part of it and I could do what I was best at. But what you are talking about would have been, absolutely thrilling.

How do databases include a lot of math? That just requires knowing how to create normalized database schemas and creating queries to extract the data in an efficient manner.

[Trezker]

Database queries are all about discrete mathematics.

[pianoperformer]

I am familiar with database queries, but not discrete mathematics yet, so would you care to clarify?

[Trezker]

Discrete mathematics involve, among other things, set theory.

[autarko]

Anyone can select a few records from a table but the sky's the limit with sql. Writing powerful queries is what makes a good database. They don't really teach this to a good level in uni courses in my experience.

For a mathematicaly minded person designing a database, coding the forms is pretty dull compared with designing and optimising the queries, where you are limited by your intellect and creativity rather than the failings of the language.

[magi13]

Originally Posted by niche

I'm with pianoplayer on this all the way! I'm in calculus now and will be finished with the course next Thursday. I've got an A in the class. I tried taking it in 2006. Didn't do so well and finally dropped the course. I didn't have the knowledge to jump right into calculus. This time I took an Algebra and Trig II class before attempting it again. Smooth sailing all the way. My degree is in education, so if you ever want to have another go at it and have questions, feel free to ask! There are tricks to math. I kind of see it like the transformers of my childhood. The small matchbox cars that turned into robots with the twisting and bending of this and that to make everything fit just how it should. It's fun.

Make up a story or make your own examples when trying to understand mathematics and teach it to your classmates or loved ones. ^^ it is achievable.

I like the way how niche emphasized on it being like transformers. that is so cool. ^^,

[Jay Pavlina]

I can't offer much advice about Calculus because I struggled in the class. I can however, offer a funny video I made with a Calculus theme. I hope laughter can ease some of the mental anguish that Calculus causes (in my opinion.) The jokes should make sense to people that understand Calculus, but it's still funny if you don't.

Free Short Films - Problem 27

[RT Wolf]

Study Hacks » Blog Archive » How to Ace Calculus: The Art of Doing Well in Technical Courses

Study Hacks » Blog Archive » Monday Master Class: Use Technical Explanation Questions When Studying For Technical Classes

Hope that helps. That blog often publishes these things.