Should i take trigonometry in high school

However, with your busy schedule, if you'd prefer to take the easier class because of everything you have going on, that's not a bad idea either. Both choices are good, don't stress about it. Good luck! If you feel that you have understood everything from your Algebra 2 summer course, then I would say to take pre-calc.

But if you aren't confident in everything you learned, I would suggest taking trigonometry, especially since your schedule seems packed. Also, I think you should consider what you want to study in college. If you plan on majoring in something that requires a fundamental base in math, such as sciences, then you should consider taking pre-calc as it would provide you with some basic knowledge of the subject before heading to college.

If you end up taking trigonometry, would you consider taking pre-calc your senior year? Looking at your classes that you're taking, you seem to have a pretty strong schedule and a high GPA. Yes if I do not take pre-calc this year, I'm definitely considering taking it senior year most likely through a dual enrollment course from a local community college, as it'd be only a semester long and wouldn't conflict with my schedule. Thank you so much for your insight!

It's usually enough to take four years of math and get good grades in those classes. If you have the time and ability to take honors or AP math classes, that's great, but it shouldn't come at the expense of your grades for classes more closely related to your major. For students planning to major in a STEM field, you will also want to take four years of math, but you will want to push yourself by taking advanced math classes, studying those classes at honors or AP level if offered by your school, and getting high grades in your math classes.

Below are several examples of advanced math classes that will help show a college that you have strong math skills. The material that these two classes cover is very similar, but Calculus BC is seen as more difficult because it moves at a faster pace and covers some additional topics such as polynomial approximations and series, series of constants, and Taylor series.

However, both are challenging AP classes, and taking either class is one of the best ways to prove your strong math skills. A solid knowledge of calculus is also required for many STEM careers. This AP course covers exploring data, sampling and experimentation, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. Statistics is one of the most widely used math subjects, and many career fields require a background in it.

AP Statistics is often seen as not quite as rigorous as an AP Calculus course, but it is still a strong course to have on your transcript. This course is a good option for students who want to take an AP math class but either don't feel ready for calculus or would rather take it in college, or for those who feel statistics will be more useful than calculus for their future career.

You can check degree requirements at different colleges for majors you are considering to see which math courses different majors require and to determine whether AP Statistics or AP Calculus would be more useful for you. Students who are planning to study a STEM subject should take an AP Calculus course because they will almost certainly need to know calculus for their future classes.

In order to obtain the International Baccalaureate diploma, students must take at least one course from each of the six IB subject categories. Math is one of those categories and has four IB options.

The four math classes, from least challenging to most challenging are:. These four courses basically cover the same topics , but at different speeds and with different degrees of difficulty. According to the IB website, in these courses students will develop their mathematical knowledge, along with logic and critical thinking skills. The main topics they cover include algebra, functions and equations, trigonometry, vectors, statistics and probability, and calculus.

If you want to take a specific math class or simply love math and want to take more math classes, there are several options for you. These include both advanced and non-advanced math classes, so they are a possibility for high school students planning to major in any field. Statistics is one of the most common math electives, and it is useful for many career fields. You can take statistics at the AP level see the above section or regular level.

Other math electives include computer math, math literacy, and math applications. These electives often focus on computer skills or practical applications of math. If your school doesn't offer a specific AP math class or elective, you may be able to take a similar course at a local community college. While taking Calculus in high school can be beneficial in the college admissions process, it is important that a student feels up to the challenge.

Math Course Calculations January 17, Sharon Tully ,. This article appears in the January issue of MetroKids. Categories : Secondary Education. Tags : admission , algebra , alternatives , analysis , calculus , colleges , copetition , courses , delaware , district , geometry , Haverford , JessLord , Joseph Cannellad , linear , Louis Hirsh , mathematics , middle , officials , quantitative , Radnor , requirement , school , statistics , strenuous , Swarthmore , Tanya Aydelott , trigonometry , universities , university.

Generally, kids take the classes listed at the top of the list their freshman and sophomore years and progress through the other topics their junior and senior years. Of course, there is lots of wiggle room within this sequence. It also comes in handy for goal-setting for kids , selecting courses, electives, and after-school enrichment activities!

Here are a few considerations to get you started. Consider their future goals. Build a balanced schedule. Taking honors biology? Explore resources outside school.