Is pre-calculus and calculus much harder than algebra?

Would it be wise to take Precalculus over the summer?

• Would it be wise to take Precalculus over the summer? I am a sophomore currently enrolled in algebra 2 and will be taking trigonometry as a junior. However, I really want to take calculus AB as a senior instead of Precalculus to be more competitive for college. So I am thinking of taking Precalc over summer my junior year instead. I know that the information is more compressed in summer couses but I have also heard that Precalc is a review of Algebra 2/Trig with a few new concepts. Would it be wise to attempt precalc over the summer or am I just setting myself up for failure? 7th grade Prealgebra- A 8th grade Algebra- A 9th grade Goemetry- B+ 10th grade Algebra 2- B I also hate math and am doing this solely to be a good candidate for colleges, However, I have the ability to study really hard when I want to!

• Answer:

  I think it would be a really bad idea!!!PreCalc is really important to understand Calc AB. Summer school cannot be enough to get you to understand all you need to understand Calc. Besides, you really don't want to be sitting in a hot class for hours during Maths mostly because you hate Maths!Applying to college with a background in Precalc without Calc is not that bad!some people don't even reach Trigonometry!