Anonymous wrote:In my view the ideal sequence after Algebra 2 is:

- precalculus & AP Statistics, double up if possible
- AP Calculus BC
- multivariable (for science and engineering) or discrete (for computer science)
- linear Algebra (for computer science)
- differential equations (for science/engineering)

For example a student doing Algebra 2 as a freshmen, who is interested in CS could do AP Stat and Precalc in sophomore year, AP calculus BC as a junior, and discrete math and linear algebra one semester each for senior year.

If the interest is more into science or engineering they can change the senior year to multivariable first semester and linear algebra or differential equation for the second.

Are those even offered, except at the Blair and Poolesville magnets?

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/CourseLists/Index/234/#Mathematics_Courses

In my view the ideal sequence after Algebra 2 is:

- precalculus & AP Statistics, double up if possible
- AP Calculus BC
- multivariable (for science and engineering) or discrete (for computer science)
- linear Algebra (for computer science)
- differential equations (for science/engineering)

For example a student doing Algebra 2 as a freshmen, who is interested in CS could do AP Stat and Precalc in sophomore year, AP calculus BC as a junior, and discrete math and linear algebra one semester each for senior year.

If the interest is more into science or engineering they can change the senior year to multivariable first semester and linear algebra or differential equation for the second.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Multivariable if it is available - that's the end of the line

General education math classes include (introductory) statistics, linear algebra, differential equations, and (maybe) discrete math.

Needless to say, these classes are not the end of the line for anything.

Differential equations is part of multivariable calculus class.

Linear algebra and discrete math are only offered in very few schools.
HS/AP Statistics is a dead-end pre-calculus class for pseudo-scientists to misapply formulas.

You’re so opinionated!

Differential equations (ordinary, systems) is most definitely not part of multivariable (differential vector calculus, divergence, curl).

Precalculus may cover a small section of linear algebra (vectors, matrices) depending on high school and teacher. Most community colleges have a discrete and linear algebra class for dual enrollment.

HS AP Statistics is a good introductory class, hands down more helpful than multivariable unless the student is taking a real Thermodynamics/electromagnetism class (I don’t count AP Physics C electromagnetism in this category). Even then, AP statistics would be more helpful when considering the laboratory portion of the science classes (Physics included)

I see no reason for someone to take Multivariable before AP Statistics. It’s not calculus based statistics, but it’s good enough to cover the basics.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone talk to me about this like I'm stupid. In our child's school more than half of the kids did compacted math in elementary which put them on a track to take Alg 2 in 9th, and then Pre-cal in 10th.

Are the majority of kids in high achieving schools like this doing Calc AB and then BC or are the majority taking Multivariable senior year?

When did compacted math start? I don't understand how only some schools can offer Multivariable if this track is so popular? I mean track #2 from the math pathways in the link.

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/math/math-curriculum-plan

The majority are taking a combination of two out of these three AP classes: Calc AB, Calc BC, and Statistics.

Compacted math was already in place when my now-20-year-old was in 4th grade.

Can someone talk to me about this like I'm stupid. In our child's school more than half of the kids did compacted math in elementary which put them on a track to take Alg 2 in 9th, and then Pre-cal in 10th.

Are the majority of kids in high achieving schools like this doing Calc AB and then BC or are the majority taking Multivariable senior year?

When did compacted math start? I don't understand how only some schools can offer Multivariable if this track is so popular? I mean track #2 from the math pathways in the link.

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/math/math-curriculum-plan

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised that on the college forum many recommend taking AP Calc and BC, but on the MCPS one people say not to.

There are two AP calc options, AB and BC. BC is therefore AP calc.

AB covers one semester of college calc. BC covers all of AB plus the second semester of college calc.

It would make more sense if they had named the two classes AP Calculus A and AP Calculus AB.

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised that on the college forum many recommend taking AP Calc and BC, but on the MCPS one people say not to.

There are two AP calc options, AB and BC. BC is therefore AP calc.

AB covers one semester of college calc. BC covers all of AB plus the second semester of college calc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of younger kids pushing your kids ahead in math, this is what you have to look forward to! For a STEM kid, taking Calc AB is going to look bad on a college application.

Completely false

Report back after you had a kid go through college admissions. Any college counselor will tell you if you want to go into STEM you have to take the hardest math class.

College counselors spew tripe.

Let's maximize pressure on 17 year-olds. I think the more fully rounded discussion point is that if you have a student who is driven and wants to major in CS or Engineering or Physics at a top 20 school, they will be more competitive with Calc BC on the transcript.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Multivariable if it is available - that's the end of the line

General education math classes include (introductory) statistics, linear algebra, differential equations, and (maybe) discrete math.

Needless to say, these classes are not the end of the line for anything.

Differential equations is part of multivariable calculus class.

Linear algebra and discrete math are only offered in very few schools.
HS/AP Statistics is a dead-end pre-calculus class for pseudo-scientists to misapply formulas.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of younger kids pushing your kids ahead in math, this is what you have to look forward to! For a STEM kid, taking Calc AB is going to look bad on a college application.

Completely false

Report back after you had a kid go through college admissions. Any college counselor will tell you if you want to go into STEM you have to take the hardest math class.

College counselors spew tripe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of younger kids pushing your kids ahead in math, this is what you have to look forward to! For a STEM kid, taking Calc AB is going to look bad on a college application.

Completely false

Report back after you had a kid go through college admissions. Any college counselor will tell you if you want to go into STEM you have to take the hardest math class.

Anonymous wrote:Parents of younger kids pushing your kids ahead in math, this is what you have to look forward to! For a STEM kid, taking Calc AB is going to look bad on a college application.

Completely false

Parents of younger kids pushing your kids ahead in math, this is what you have to look forward to! For a STEM kid, taking Calc AB is going to look bad on a college application.

I am surprised that on the college forum many recommend taking AP Calc and BC, but on the MCPS one people say not to.

Anonymous wrote:In our school it is common for students to take AB then BC because the BC teacher is very tough

This is true at Walter Johnson.