School Calculus 3 or Honors Calculus 2

[Leen]

Since this is a study place, I shall ask this question here.

If I plan to be an econ and math major, which calculus should I choose? Note in mind that I love math intensely but I am not a math genius nor do I have 100 hours a week to practice REALLY hard math.

Choice 1
Calculus 3
- Basic learning of Taylor and MacLaurin Rule, the different types of Convergence Test, Partial Fraction Intergral, and something along that line.

- Less proving and more solving. Example of a question will be:
Does f(x) = x^2 converge or does it diverge? If it converge, what does it converge to?

- Test will cover about 20% proving and 80% solution that can easily be mastered by learning the right formula

Choice 2
Honors Calculus 2
- Intense learning of trigonometry, log, integral, planetary motion, and other similar topics

- All proving. Example of question will be:
Prove that sin(x+ pi/2) = cos x

- Test will cover about 90% proofs and 10% definition. Proofs have to be understood (or memorized) and every questions deal with different proofs.

I have prior knowledge of honors calculus class through my Honors Calculus 1 class. I did not do exceptionally well. Things that I had to prove are something like this:

Prove that irrational number is not of the same cardinality as the natural number.
Prove that the intersection of a close set is a close set
Prove that differentiability implies continuity.

So people, if you were me, which would you pick?

 

[LadyHatake]

Personally, I'd go with Calc 3 >.>; Seems more like what 1st semester calc was for me. For you, Leen, it depends on what your strengths are. Were you better at solving things or were you better at proofs?

 

[rhapsody blue]

i've never taken calc 2 or calc 3 but my friends who have taken both prefer calc 3. they told me that it's easier and a lot more "fun".

sorry that i couldn't be of more help

 

[anko]

Lurker here. 8D Hello.

For being a math major, I think that the honors calculus 2 class sounds more right for you -- having to prove things instead of just chugging and spitting things out (though doing that for difficult problems requires a higher level of understanding).

However, I don't think that you can ignore the crazy tests and rules that you learn in Calculus 3 either (I didn't enjoy learning them very much :T )...

Ok, I'm spinning in circles. 8D If you get the chance to take both of them, I say that you should go for it. (Did I even help? O_o)

And back to lurking, I shall go...

 

[SStorm]

I had more of a strong interest in Math while I was in college, I ended up being a Biochem major... but I agree with anko. You'll almost certainly have to deal with proof based math during your math major and your Honors Calc 2 sounds like it at least gives you an intro to that. If you waited to take such classes until your upper level classes, proof-based math would just whack you across the head. Calc 3 sounds more like what you would take if you wanted to be just an Econ major and not the math major as well.

 

[noobz0rz]

Although my opinion is as worthless as my username or existence for that matter, I'd suggest that you take both courses. Calculus 2 is a course where all you need to do is to pay attention to what the prof teaches during the class. Although, you may find that quite difficult (non-english-speaking-profs or 8am classes) you must do your best to do so. Reading materials ahead will help you greatly.--- Like SStorm has mentioned, if you're going to be a math major, then you are probably going to need that course. Now as to why you'd need Calculus 3-- It's for practice. Solving problems one after another will HELP you greatly. I know this for a fact since most of my Calculus teachers (yeah asian ones) had claimed to solved practice problems for more than 8 hours a day. (Fun? Not as fun as trying to figure out what to write for your chem reports. /end-terrible-sarcasm) Good luck!

 

[LordMelkor]

For higher level economics you will want to have a grap on infinite series concepts though... However given the vastly different scope of the topics you described, you may consider taking both at some point.

Also one thing that I recall I had some trouble with in some Econ classes because none of my classes ever really covered Lagrange multipliers, (although it wasnt that hard to teach myself)

(I am a Physics/Economics double major btw...)

 

[sparky008]

I concur with doing both, i wide breadth of knowledge is essential before you specialise. As far as time goes calculus 3 will take up alot compared to calculus 2, as the understanding required in calculus 2 is partly aquired when not doing maths, e.g. thinking about it while having breakfast. Also it might be worth investing in the theory behind calculus 2 as this can speed the plug and chug questions up no end (and in my opinion is far more rewarding).

 

[vintagemistakes]

Went to school for engineering and I say definitely go with Calc 3 over Calc2... Calc 3 is basically and extension of Calc 1 which makes it a heck of a lot easier then Calc 2. I actually knew alot of people that took Calc 3 before I taking Calc 2. Integrals still annoy the heck out of me...

 

[arslan]

@ leen. it all depends on what classes you are required to take for the major. as far as proofs go, you will learn enough of those in classes like number theory. By the way i first though clac 3 was supposed to be multi variable calculus. The college i goto has labeled the tayolr series stuff as calc2 so i guess it varies. but when you get a chance you should definitely take multi variable calculus. it is basically calc 1 and 2 but in two or three dimensions. quite fascinating actually.

 

[zelig]

I don't know how you study in USA, however both of them are pretty easy, and your test seems to be easy, so you should be capable to do both of them if you want to...

 

[steelwingcrash1]

Well, I was once a math major and Calculus 3 was indeed fun. We discussed more on series and integration.

But to be honest, I prefer Calculus 2 over Calculus 3. I like theorems the way they are than applying them in other concepts.