Taking calculus can help you gain admission to higher-level colleges and universities. For some students, calculus is a way to prove their intellectual capabilities.
But, how important is calculus for getting into college? Does it really matter if you take it or not? In this article, we will explore the importance of calculus for college admission and how it can help set you apart from other candidates.
1: What Is Calculus?
Calculus is a branch of mathematics used to solve problems involving instantaneous rates of change and is often considered the foundation of mathematics in higher-level universities. It is often taught in high schools, and is generally the first temporal course beyond algebra and geometry.
To calculate something using calculus, the first step is to know the initial values of the variables, then the second step is to know the functions of the variables. For example, let’s look at the equation 2y + x 2 = 1 To solve this equation using calculus, you must first know what the y and x variables are equal to.
The next step would be to use differential equations, which are equations that involve derivatives of functions. Derivatives are the rates of change over time, and can be used to calculate rates of change within a function.
For example, if a function’s x variable changes from 4 to 5 in a given time interval, the slope indicates how much the x variable has changed over that interval. Calculus is then used to calculate the rate of change in the rate of change within a function. By understanding and applying calculus concepts, you can accurately predict how a function will change over time.
Finally, integrals are used to find the area beneath a curve of a function. An integral is a summation of all the areas below a curve that equals the area beneath the curve.
That area is the area of the indefinite integral, which is a measure of the total change of a function over a period of time. Thus integrals measure the total change of a function over a period of time and can be used to calculate other types of changes, such as velocity and acceleration.
2: What Careers Require Calculus?
There are certain lines of work where having a mastery of calculus is almost a prerequisite. Jobs in business, science, engineering, medicine, and technology all commonly require calculus at some point. Businesses often use calculus to calculate the rate of returns of investments, determine the most cost effective way to produce goods, and much more.
Scientists and engineers both use calculus to design new products and derive formulas that create the fundamentals of their work. Medicine also uses calculus to understand different medical conditions, such as blood flow and temperature regulation.
It is also used to formulate algorithms that help diagnose illnesses. Similarly, technology uses calculus to calculate the efficiency of certain products or services, provide better encryption, and help construct computer programming.
Finally, even sports teams have started using calculus to better understand the positioning of team members on the field, the trajectories of throwable balls, and how to better strategize on how to approach part of the game.
3: What Benefits Does Calculus Offer?
Taking calculus in high school offers numerous advantages for those intending on going to college. It builds upon the mathematics knowledge already gained in prior courses, like algebra and geometry. That mathematics knowledge is the foundation for which other more complicated subjects can be built on.
It also provides students with a simplified way of looking at complex ideas. With calculus, complicated formulas and equations can be broken down and visualized more easily.
In addition, studying calculus hones critical thinking skills. By using trigonometry, vectors, and derivatives, students can calculate complex ideas with relative ease. This skill set proves beneficial in most fields requiring advanced math, including engineering, medicine, and business.
It helps students see the world in a way they wouldn’t be able to without calculus. Finally, calculus is useful for those who have an interest in higher-level mathematics, such as physics and quantum mechanics.
Understanding the equations and theories of calculus can help students get the most out of their studies in college. Calculus also offers a better understanding of space and time which, in turn, can help one learn more about the world around them and how our universe works.
4: What Does Calculus Tell Us About Our World?
Calculus can provide us with an understanding of the world we live in and the universe around us. It helps us understand how changing environments severely affect how various systems and organisms in the real world interact with each other.
In physics, calculus enables us to calculate how far an object has traveled and its velocity in a given time period. Similarly, we can use calculus to model curves and surfaces of objects in space, such as the behavior of asteroids and celestial objects in the solar system. Calculus can also be applied to economics to determine how certain policies and changes will impact certain populations and economies.
Additionally, mathematics is a tool used to model financial markets and investments. This allows us to gain insight on the behavior of markets and makes discoveries into certain patterns or trends.
Further, calculus is used to calculate derivatives in order to properly hedge against risks, a process known as risk management.
5: Should I Take Calculus Before College?
Taking calculus before college is not necessary but can prove beneficial for prospective college applicants. By taking calculus in high school, it is evidence to colleges and universities that you are ready for more advanced courses.
It demonstrates that you can handle the rigor of higher-level math, which will be required in college. Having calculus on your college application can also help gain admission to more prestigious universities. The higher-level interests and academic aptitude demonstrated by calculus can make you stand out from the competition.
That being said, if you are considering higher-level degree programs such as engineering, medicine, or business, having calculus in your arsenal can be very helpful. Even if you don’t plan on taking calculus in college, attending calculus classes in high school can benefit you by providing insight into the concepts and ideas of physics, engineering, and mathematics. Furthermore, it can help provide skills or knowledge that can transfer to other computer-related studies.
Even if you don’t plan on continuing with calculus studies in college, attending calculus classes can prove to be beneficial in the long run.
6: What Does College Admissions Consider?
When a college considers a prospective applicant, they view your previous achievements and accomplishments. This includes a review of your classes, grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities.
Additionally, they will look for evidence that you are educatably and academically prepared for college-level courses. Taking calculus can help college admissions officers rest assured that you are capable of handling more difficult coursework and will be a successful student. Beyond just the admissions consideration, having calculus on your college transcripts prior to matriculation can give you a wide range of opportunities to take more advanced classes and be successful in them.
This can help you in the long run if you decide to pursue a career requiring mathematical or physics expertise. That being said, the likelihood that this will be the deciding factor of your college acceptance depends on the college and their expectations
7: What if I Can’t Take Calculus in High School?
Having calculus in high school is not a requirement, and taking it will not automatically guarantee your admissions. It can be beneficial for college admissions, but understanding the fundamentals of calculus is just one piece of many in how colleges view applicants. That being said, taking a calculus-like course in online can prove beneficial, as it still provides colleges with evidence of your aptitude for mathematics.
Colleges also assessment other factors such as work experience, extracurricular activities, and your response to adversity. So, while calculus can be beneficial, getting involved in the community, volunteering, and having a solid GPA can all go a long way toward college admission.
8: What If I Decide Not to Take Calculus?
If you decide not to take calculus, there is no need to worry. Most universities understand that calculus is not a requirement and will consider your application despite not having calculus on your transcripts. That being said, your application will still be judged on a variety of other factors, such as aptitude and interest in pursuing a certain major.
Taking rigorous courses like AP and Honors math, science, and foreign language courses, can all help showcase your academic capabilities and proficiency for the college admissions board. Additionally, even if you don’t take calculus in high school, you can still major in math and sciences in college, as many colleges also offermath and physics “remedial” courses that serve to catch incoming students up to college standards.
9: How Does Calculus Differ from High School Math?
Calculus is quite different from high school math. Although the fundamentals of mathematics remain the same, there is an introduction of more complex concepts. These concepts involve understanding derivatives and integrals, which are much more complicated than what one finds in high school math.
Whereas high school math is mostly focused on equations and problem-solving, calculus focuses on rates of change and the behavior of functions over time. High school math also introduces you to concepts such as algebra and trigonometry.
Algebra is the study of equations and how they can be manipulated and used to answer questions. Trigonometry is the study of angles and triangles, which is seen in many aspects of life, such as astronomy and geometry.
Calculus builds upon the knowledge learned from algebra and trigonometry and applies on a higher level.
10: How Can I Prepare for Calculus?
Before taking calculus, it is important to make sure you have a strong foundation in mathematics. This involves completing basic algebra and trigonometry classes.
Additionally, it is recommended to practice as much as you can prior to taking calculus. This can include going through questions from prior free response exams, taking preparatory courses, enrolling in an online course, or watching videos that review the different concepts of calculus. Practicing and reviewing material allows you to better understand the concepts you have learned and to retain the information much better.
Doing this frequently and consistently can help you retain the concepts much better, as calculus is a very abstract concept that takes time to understand.
11: What Is Calculus Used For?
Calculus is used in a variety of fields, such as engineering, science, economics, philosophy, and mathematics. Calculus can be used to model and predict the behavior of physical and natural systems. In engineering, calculus is used for calculating the trajectory of an object, like a missile, and is used to create the algorithms and formulas for how the missile should behave in order to reach its intended target.
In the sciences, calculus provides insight on the mathematics of chemistry, including the kinetics of reaction rates, and the calculation of the area of curves and surfaces of objects like planets. In economics, calculus is used to analyze and calculate the prevalence of supply and demand in the market and to predict the rate of change within the market.
Philosophers often use calculus to explore the mathematics of existence, such as infinity. Finally, mathematicians use calculus to explore new concepts and theories.
12: What Kind of Courses Should I Expect?
Calculus courses typically focus on three main topics. The first is single-variable calculus, which focuses on derivatives and integrals of functions with single variables. This is a foundational element to calculus and is the primary topic of most introductory courses.
The second focuses on multivariable calculus, which is the study of functions with three or more variables. The final topic is differential equations, which involve equations that involve derivatives of functions.
This topic is important for understanding the behavior of physical and natural systems, and is the primary topic of higher-level calculus courses. Differential equations are often used to solve problems in economics, engineering, and physics.
13: What Are the Prerequisites for Calculus?
The prerequisites for calculus vary, depending on what type of calculus is being taught. However, generally, one should be familiar with algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Knowing basic fundamentals of these topics is essential when taking calculus, as most problems are centered around the basics.
Additionally, one should be comfortable with interpreting graphs, as this will be utilized extensively when learning calculus. This includes understanding shapes, transformations, and points of intersections.
It is important to understand the origin and scale of a graph so that one can accurately interpret information. Lastly, there should be some familiarity with introductory differential equations. Having a comprehensive understanding of them can be helpful for understanding key concepts in calculus like integrals, derivatives, and partial derivatives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking calculus in high school can provide several benefits when applying for college. Most notably, it can show college admission officers that you are ready for the rigor of college-level courses.
Beyond that, calculus can help prepare students for more advanced degrees, such as engineering or medicine, while also giving them an understanding of the world around them. However, calculus is not a necessity for getting into college and taking rigorous classes in other areas can still help college admission boards. Ultimately, whether or not you choose to take calculus or not depends on your own level of interest and commitment to the subject.