Jump to content

Menu

Pre calculus necessary? Help finding a calc text.


Recommended Posts

I just recently purchase a copy of Jacobs elementary algebra for DD13 because I had read that because it is so incremental it eliminates the need for a pre algebra program. My oldest DD has not until just this past year ever talked of learning calculus, but after reading on coolmath.com she thinks it looks like fun. So, is there a calculus book that moves incrementally enough that I wouldn't need to purchase a pre calc book?

 

Thanks for your suggestions! :bigear:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I expect a few other posters will hop on this not long after I post (not because we'll be disagreeing, though).  They will probably put everything in a less clunky manner, too.

 

Pre-algebra is not necessarily a "stand alone" course.  It encompasses everything learned up to the actual algebra course (decimals, percents, ratios, learning how to decipher word problems, Order of Operations).  Pre-Algebra is mostly a "pause" before Algebra -- reinforcing those fundamental skills, and sometimes including basic algebraic concepts.  This is why students who have never had Pre-Algebra as an official course can move straight into Algebra 1 without a Pre-Algebra course.

 

Pre-Calculus is actually made up of two (usually semester-long) courses:  College Algebra and Trigonometry.  This is not a "pause" course before Calculus.  It contains necessary material used in Calculus and other upper level math.  I'm not saying people have never skipped Pre-Calculus and gone on, but they have usually learned the Pre-Calculus topics along the way (it really depends upon the texts you've used and what they've covered in which depth).  As far as a text that includes all of the prerequisite material goes...I'm not qualified to speak on that topic ;)

 

 

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Before a formal class in calculus, you really need to go through algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, and trigonometry. This can be subdivided however you like. Jacobs is a great start for algebra and he has a geometry textbook as well. Many people follow Jacobs algebra/geometry with Foerster's algebra 2/trig, precalculus, and calculus, which are all solid textbooks. 

 

She should totally continue to read about calculus for fun, though, if she is interested, but she won't have the algebraic background to do more than some reading on the concepts for some time. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got it! So, DD has done geometry and used Lials for pre-algebra through Algebra 2. We used Lials BCM for pre-algebra (I don't think that at the time Jann in TX had the pre-algebra 2 class...correct me if I am wrong), Introductory Algebra and Intermediate Algebra., what would you suggest as the next step towards calc? What calc text do you like?

 

Also, I have since then purchased Jacobs Elementary Algebra and Foerster's Algebra I for two of my other kids. I was thinking about getting rid of the Lials basic college math and introductory algebra, should I do that or will there not be overlap between the Lials and the other books.

 

Thanks so much for the help!

Edited by dovrar
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got it! So, DD has done geometry and used Lials for pre-algebra through Algebra 2. We used Lials BCM for pre-algebra (I don't think that at the time Jann in TX had the pre-algebra 2 class...correct me if I am wrong), Introductory Algebra and Intermediate Algebra., what would you suggest as the next step towards calc? What calc text do you like?

 

Also, I have since then purchased Jacobs Elementary Algebra and Foerster's Algebra I for two of my other kids. I was thinking about getting rid of the Lials basic college math and introductory algebra, should I do that or will there not be overlap between the Lials and the other books.

 

Thanks so much for the help!

 

Oh my, I misread your post as your dd who had just gotten elementary algebra wanted to learn calculus. 

 

Ok, so with your dd having done algebra 2, she could move to a precalculus text. Any standard precalculus text will prepare her for any standard calculus text. Lial has many books if she wants to continue with Lial's. Foerster also has a book if you like the style of Foerster. Personally I would prefer Foerster for a single student but Lial will not put her at any kind of disadvantage. I use one of the Lial texts to teach my college precalculus class. Foerster has a solid calculus text as well so if you went with Foerster you could move directly to his calculus. 

 

BCM will not have a lot of overlap but introductory algebra is another algebra 1 text similar in scope and sequence to Jacobs and Foerster. If you have plenty of space frankly I'd stick it on a shelf until all your kids are done with math, because sometimes an explanation in another book just clicks when the first one did not, however, if space is at a premium it is easily dispensable. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also have Math Mammoth 1-6, would this overlap @ all with BCM? Right now we're living with in laws and I'm trying to keep books to a minimum. Oh, and I own AOPS pre-algebra as well, but I think I may hold on to that one.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Foerster has a solid calculus text as well so if you went with Foerster you could move directly to his calculus. 

 

Move directly to Foerster's calculus after Foerster pre-calc?

 

 

Yes. 

 

Also if you're all done with MM, I'd probably get rid of that and keep only BCM as a reference as it is more compact. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just wanted to throw this out there, if your younger DD had a sudden interest in Calculus since older might be doing Calculus, you might look at this...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Without-Tears-Learning-Students/dp/0976413809

 

Thanks. I actually do have a younger child interested in learning calc. because the older one will be. He doesn't know what it is, but he doesn't want to be left behind.  ; )

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've still got 3 more to use the MM with.

 

Then I wouldn't dispose of it -- but I'd probably still keep BCM, because when you need to reference an arithmetic concept it is really nice to be able to just look it up in one book and have a start-to-finish explanation designed for an older student who has learned it but forgotten it. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have used the Larson Precaclulus text with the Mosely DVDs.  I also have the AoPS precalculus book, and the Foerster precalculus book (and Life of Fred Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry).  My oldest son has been using the Larson text and doing well. my oldest daughter is using the AoPS book and doing very well.  They also have both used Foerster for Algebra and really enjoyed it.  I plan on having the same author's calculus texts (Larson, Foerster, AoPS and Life of Fred).

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would never suggest to my DD, for a minute, that she begin a Calculus course, without having first successfully completed Pre Calc.  

 

This is the URL for the TTUISD Pre Calc course, which explains what it involves:

 

https://enroll.ttuisd.ttu.edu/catalog/CourseListing.asp?master_id=2500&master_version=1&course_area=HIGH&course_number=PRECA1A&course_subtitle=2

 

This is the URL for the Amazon SERPs for that textbook, Used, which begins at $14.99 plus shipping as I write this:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/061839480X/ref=sr_1_1_olp?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469918988&sr=1-1&keywords=061839480X

 

GL with whatever you decide to do!

Edited by Lanny
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would never suggest to my DD, for a minute, that she begin a Calculus course, without having first successfully completed Pre Calc.  

 

This is the URL for the TTUISD Pre Calc course, which explains what it involves:

 

https://enroll.ttuisd.ttu.edu/catalog/CourseListing.asp?master_id=2500&master_version=1&course_area=HIGH&course_number=PRECA1A&course_subtitle=2

 

This is the URL for the Amazon SERPs for that textbook, Used, which begins at $14.99 plus shipping as I write this:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/061839480X/ref=sr_1_1_olp?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469918988&sr=1-1&keywords=061839480X

 

GL with whatever you decide to do!

 

I am happy for DD to take Pre-calc if that's what needs to be done next. I just wasn't sure if there was one text that would cover both.

 

Thanks for the links.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...