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Trig or Pre-calc: Which should I take?

Hey, I'm wondering if I should take trigonometry or precalculus next year? Can you guys help me decide? What are the benefits of each, and which one would be more beneficial for college applications?

a year ago

It's essential to consider your academic goals and how each course would fit into your overall high school curriculum when making this decision. Let me give you an overview of both trigonometry and precalculus to help you make an informed choice.

Trigonometry focuses on the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles, as well as their applications. It is a branch of mathematics that often goes hand-in-hand with geometry, covering topics like sine, cosine, tangent, and various trigonometric identities and properties. Trig might be appealing for students who enjoy or excel in geometry and want to develop stronger spatial reasoning skills.

Precalculus, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive course that includes trigonometry in its syllabus. It's designed to prepare students for calculus by reviewing and expanding on algebraic concepts and introducing new material, such as limits, sequences, series, and introductory calculus topics. Precalculus is generally seen as a higher-level course since it covers a broader range of topics and sets the stage for further mathematical study.

From a college application perspective, precalculus is often viewed as more advantageous, as it demonstrates your ability to handle advanced mathematical topics and prepares you for college-level math courses, which is especially important if you're considering a STEM-related field of study. However, if you feel you need more time to master trigonometry before moving on, it might be better to take that first and then precalculus the following year.

In summary, if you're confident in your mathematical abilities and want to be well-prepared for college-level math or a STEM major, precalculus would be the more beneficial choice. However, if you're more interested in the applications of triangles and feel like you need to strengthen your understanding of trigonometry specifically, you could take trigonometry first and then precalculus. Ultimately, you'll need to assess your own strengths and aspirations to determine the best fit for your schedule and goals.

a year ago

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