What are the most important concepts from Algebra that you need to know to master Calculus, in your opinion?

Answer 1

Well, manipulating polynomials, especially multiplying and factoring, comes up a lot when you're taking derivatives. In particular, I see a lot of calculus students who get caught in the rudimentary mistake of thinking that (a+b)^2 = a^2 + b^2, which of course isn't true.

Also, be comfortable with the rules of exponents, *including* using zero, negative numbers, and rationals as powers.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

Answer 2

If you worked hard in algebra classes you should find Calculus easy. Exponent and logarithm rules are important. Factoring is key. There is alot of work with polynomials. Understanding limits and trig. functions cetainly comes into play. The main point to success is learning derrivates once you are in the class.

Answer 3

Open mindedness. Watch the lectures, work through the examples - Don't fight Calculus. All of a sudden, you will "get it" and you may even enjoy the problem solving challenges it presents. It is essential to remember the relationships you learn, because most calculus problem solving depends on choosing the correct method to solve the problem. Good Luck!

Answer 4

You'll do a lot of factoring of things like this:

(x-2)^2-x(x-2)

(x-2)[(x-2)-x]

(x-2)[-2]

That was all algebra, so you should be able to do that.

Also, become comfortable with graphing, and know the general shape of basic functions:

x^2
x^3
e^x
log(x)
sin(x)

Those are two basic things that a lot of students struggle with in Calculus that they should already know.

A more difficult concept is the graph transformations... Like "vertical and horizontal shifts" and vertical and horizontal stretches.

Answer 5

Definately positive and negative integers for variables. As you plot functions on a graph, you can see what happens as the limit approaches 0. Whether there is a limit or if the limit does not exist.

Answer 6

In your first semester of the calculus, you'll need to know how to deal with rational and composite functions. Knowing how to square binomials, how to simplify polynomials, and how to factor them is going to be key in defining the derivative with limits.

In your second semester and beyond, it's mainly going to take a lot of intuition and creativity. My favorite teacher in college once said, "Anyone can differentiate, but it takes a true artist to integrate."

Answer 7

The entire algerbra itself.
U need everything to b rite b it algebra,trigonometry,function,limits,continuty,differentiablity. Calculus means everything

Answer 8

Limits. What happens to a function as a variable approaches zero or infinity.

Answer 9

I believe the concept of variables and fixed values.
Like pi is a fixed value so you don't need to differentiate it.

Answer 10

In a word: factoring.