Pre-Calc or Trigonometry

Rolling_Thunder

Rolling_Thunder

SAP @ MMI '25
Joined
Dec 7, 2022
Messages
52
I was doing my course requests for my senior year and I have been stuck on whether or not I should do AP Computer Science, Pre-Calculus, or Trigonometry and probability. I have already done Algebra I, Geometry, and I am doing Algebra II now.
 
If you have to choose one, definitely Pre-calc. I believe College Board is rolling out an AP Pre-calc next year so if your school offers it, that would be the best choice. Trig is also a recommended requirement so if you can work in both, that is what you should do.
 
Both, if at all possible. You need a good understanding of trig for calculus and physics.
 
T-37IP said:
Both, if at all possible. You need a good understanding of trig for calculus and physics.
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Trig should be heavily covered in pre-calc, but good idea to check since not all pre-calc classes are the same. Wasn't there a candidate last year on this forum that was told he wouldn't be considered for an appointment because he was missing Trig (he also hadn't taken pre-calc)? I'll see if I can find the thread.
 
For the Academy academic requirements, you do need 1 year of computer study, so if you don't have that covered, AP Computer Science will check that off for you. But if you have that covered, I vote pre-Calc.
 
I think Pre-calc definitely helped me get ready for calc. However, if you are able to, Art of Problem Solving (https://artofproblemsolving.com/) has great practice as well, it is free after you create an account. I think that those problems are more challenging than Khan Academy.
 
Capt MJ said:
You could always discipline yourself and set a goal of putting yourself through the Khan Academy trig course online over the summer.

I vote Pre-Calc as well.
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Good Idea, I am also considering doing dual enrollment again next year so ill see if there is a trig course
 
AFVet_AFWife_AFMom said:
For the Academy academic requirements, you do need 1 year of computer study, so if you don't have that covered, AP Computer Science will check that off for you. But if you have that covered, I vote pre-Calc.
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One year of computer study is recommended to be academically competitive, not required.

At any rate, I would argue that it would be more beneficial to have a full 4 years of math rather than 3 years of math and 1 year of computer study.
 
pre-calc but a strong trig foundation will serve you well in most STEM fields, so try to squeeze that in too if it isn't incorporated in your pre-calc class
 
PreCal is math to get you ready for Calculus. Calculus is the math of "motion," rates of change. In PreCal, you study algebric expressions that includes exponential and logarithmic. THEN you study trigonometry.

Both class probably have the same amount of Trigonometry. PreCal has math beneficial for technical fields added to that and the other has probability which would be more of a business track.

What is your major going to be? If you did really, really well in Algebra 2 and didn't want a technical track, Trig and Probability is a possibility. PreCal might be considered the more challenging class depending on the probability portion which can be very difficult. I find the combinations and permutations of statistics to be more challenging than the Algebra portion of PreCal.
 
I think anyone who wants to "get serious" about math in a STEM major wouldn't be egregiously impacted by choosing trigonometry over pre-calculus or vice versa. They'll likely need to revisit the content from both courses several times over throughout their undergraduate or even graduate career before the concepts really stick and become second nature.

If one were to major in something fuzzy, then I'd whole-heartedly recommend pre-calc for the simple fact that all cadets must pass calculus.

I reached out to some USAFA faculty and they also recommended pre-calc.

Now, I do believe that probability & statistics are becoming much more important in this complex world and I also believe that they can be incredibly unintuitive. Early exposure to probabilistic and statistical reasoning would surely pay dividends down the road. But again, if one desires to "get serious" about probability & statistics, then you will need to "get serious" about calculus.

@Rolling_Thunder , it sounds like you've already made your decision. I figured I'd add this post for any future lurkers who dredge up this thread seeking more answers.
 
The most important part of Precalculus is that is gives students an opportunity to master algebra. You absolutely HAVE to have mastery of algebra for Calculus. You should also have an good understanding of functions (exponential and logarithmic), geometry and trigonometry.

I teach Precalculus, Statistics and Calculus in high school. (and have a masters in teaching mathematics) Due to covid we had students who missed much of the Precalculus material and then went on to Calculus. The preliminary review section was really rocky but the Calculus portion is actually fine for them because they had mastered the algebra.

So @Rolling_Thunder , even if you take Precalculus, brush up on your algebra if you have any doubt with your skills.
 
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Also for future lurkers let me explain what topics Precalculus class covers

Function and Graphs
Polynomial, Power and Rational Functions
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Trigonometry
Systems and Matrices
Analytic Geometry
Discrete Math
Statistics and Probability.
Intro to Calculus
 
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