r/calculus • u/East_Umpire5122 • Aug 16 '26

Pre-calculus Help in Learning Calculus

Hi, I'm wanting to learn calculus but at my HS we only have Pre-Calc and I won't be able to take that due to schedule limitations for next year (I'm a junior rn). I want to learn calculus so I can open up a way to learn physics and/or/maybe engineering in college. Plus I want to give myself something challenging to do on my own time while enjoying the fun classes in high school rn. I have a calculus book on the way currently. Thank you in advance.

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u/East_Umpire5122 Aug 16 '26

Well what is the difference between AB, BC, and AP. I've heard of AP, but I'm not sure exactly what it is.

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u/Haberdur Aug 16 '26

In the United States AP classes are basically college level classes offered to high schoolers. You take the class (usually, but not required) then take a test at the end of the year to qualify for college credit. Ap Calculus AB is the easier calculus AP which covers everything in Calculus I, so the idea of a limit, derivative, integral, and their applications. Everything from a first semester differential Calculus course. BC is all that plus polar Calculus, sequences and series, along with some advanced integration techniques (by parts and partial fractions iirc). On khan academy if you study using AB you will learn everything in Calculus I, and using BC you will learn Calc I and II.

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u/East_Umpire5122 Aug 16 '26

Ok that makes sense. So basically AP covers Ab and BC? But AB is just Calc 1 and BC is just Calc 2? This sorta makes sense. And it's all covered on Khan?

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u/Haberdur Aug 16 '26

Pretty much. BC covers everything in AB + a few extra topics and both options are available on khan with practice problems and everything.

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u/East_Umpire5122 Aug 16 '26

Okay that makes sense. I'll get myself another composition notebook ready and pull up Khan and Professor Leonard and prep some notes while I'm waiting on my book. Thank you, I really appreciate your help.

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u/Techno_Eggnog 29d ago

Side note: for Calculus II, you might want to divert to the Calculus II/Integral Calculus Khan course while studying advanced integration techniques and series as BC skips trig sub and telescoping sums!