The ten most difficult topics in Mathematics

Calculus 3

If you’re referring to which math class would be harder if you didn’t do anything about either of them, then calculus is obviously harder. It is Algebra-based and adds on new concepts in addition to Algebra concepts. It is Algebra-based and adds on new concepts in addition to Algebra concepts.

• Topology and Geometry.
• Combinatory.
• Logic.
• Number Theory.
• Dynamic system and Differential equations.
• Mathematical physics.
• Computation.
• Information theory and signal processing.

Honestly AP Calculus is definitely harder than precalculus… Precalculus is lots of trigonometry and basic beginnings of graphing Calculus graphs. But when you get to AP calculus, you learn a WHOLE new language of math and that’s what makes it more difficult and complicated.

However, some people have been successful skipping Pre-Calc and jumping into Calculus. You may be able to do it but it has downside risk without substantial upside opportunity. Pre-Calc is largely Algebra and Trigonometry and in general, having a good working knowledge of these two areas is key to success in Calculus.

Learning high-school calculus in a high-school class takes roughly 150 hours + 100 hours of homework/studying. Learning the same in a college class takes roughly 40 hours + 80 hours of homework/studying. (College is faster-paced.)

The hardest part of pre-calculus is the course that precedes pre-calculus. If you’re going to do well in pre-calculus, you need to do well in the course that comes before it.

Trigonometry is hard because it deliberately makes difficult what is at heart easy. We know trig is about right triangles, and right triangles are about the Pythagorean Theorem.

But it is neither hard nor impossible. Everything depends upon us. Mathematics is one of the best subjects where we can understand various real-life phenomenons and have an idea of the real world around us. If you think trigonometry is hard then first of all you should start by concentrating on it.

Algebra 2/trig is a bit harder. But it is not that bad, as long as you keep up with your work DAILY. I found geometry easier than any of the other math courses in high school. If I were to rank them out in terms of difficulty it would be Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, then Trigonometry.

In some sense, the prerequisite for Calculus is to have an overall comfort with algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. After all, each new topic in math builds on previous topics, which is why mastery at each stage is so important.

How to Succeed in Calculus

1. I don’t care how effortless math was before, do your homework!
2. Do the homework.
3. Do your homework.
4. Do the assigned problems — that’s huge.
5. Make doing homework fun.
6. Download the previous quizzes and exams from the class webpage.
7. Sometimes the instructor goes into more depth.
8. Laugh at his jokes.

Single variable with analytic geometry included, i.e. the typical, four-hour American introductory calculus course could be learned in a month. It would probably take 2-4 hours per day, but it is doable.