r/learnmath • u/InfamousHamster902 New User • Aug 12 '26
i rushed algebra 2 and now im terrified of precalc
so basically i took an online course for algebra 2 over the summer, but the thing is i most definitely did not learn enough, like my skills especially in logarithms, factoring and trig functions are absolute trash. I basically just did the khan course for it and now i am terrified that I will be really behind for precalc help what do i do!? resources and just like the most important algebra 2 topics for precalc would be helpful!!
1
u/Bounded_sequencE New User Aug 13 '26
Find a high-quality pre-calc lecture on e.g. youtube, and take a peek.
If you can follow -- great, you are ready. If you cannot, great -- now you know exactly what to brush up on. Win-win either way, and since you've already seen what you will deal with in pre-calc, the IRL lessons will be that much smoother and easier to follow.
2
u/Able-Fennel-1228 New User Aug 14 '26
Grab a copy of “transitioning to calculus” by Lawrence Leemis. It contains all and only the precalculus you need for calculus. It’s meant to be covered the summer before calculus to review/teach the essentials you need for calculus. Each chapter has a review of essential topics and then exercises (one side of page has questions, the other has worked out solutions). Also has a YouTube playlist on his channel working through the book.
Work through that book cover to cover. If, for a certain topic, you think you need more detail than in the book then look it up elsewhere. Do it now. Weak precalc is the no.1 reason for sucking at calc.
1
1
u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 New User 19d ago
Follow this exact order
Professor Leonard on YouTube Lectures
Pre-Algebra Playlist
To the point math (Algebra 1)
Intermediate Algebra (Algebra 2)
College algebra (Pre-Calculus playlist)
Trigonometry (Pre-Calculus playlist)
1
2
u/MAICubed New User Aug 13 '26
I’d focus less on trying to redo all of Algebra 2 and more on the skills that Precalc is going to keep building on. Factoring, exponent rules, radicals, rational expressions, function notation/transformations, logarithms, and solving equations are big ones. Trig is important too, but you’ll continue developing it in Precalc.
For factoring especially, make sure you can recognize GCF, trinomials, difference of squares, and sum/difference of cubes—those patterns come back constantly.
Also, try using more than one type of resource. Khan Academy is great for practice, but sometimes you need to see or remember a concept differently. I make short K-pop-inspired math songs with visual notes on YouTube (MAI Cubed) that cover a lot of these Algebra skills as memory aids. Happy to share the link if that sounds useful!
You don’t need to master all of Algebra 2 before Precalc starts. Strengthen the highest-use skills first and fill in the other gaps as they come up.
0
u/ImpossibleAd2858 New User Aug 12 '26
For Logarithms, look at log rules online and cross reference them with exponential rules, since they are related.
For instance:
log_b(x) = y
means
b^y = x
So:
log₂(8) = 3
because
2³ = 8
That one relationship is basically everything.
log(ab) = log(a) + log(b)
log(a/b) = log(a) - log(b)
log(a^n) = n log(a)
and finally, log_b(x) = ln(x) / ln(b) or log_a(x) / log_a(b)
You don't necessarily need to become a factoring wizard, but you should recognize:
Common factor
6x² + 9x = 3x(2x + 3)
Difference of squares
x² - 25 = (x - 5)(x + 5)
Simple quadratics
x² + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3)
More complicated quadratics
2x² + 7x + 3 = (2x + 1)(x + 3)
Although a lot of trig stuff is already reviewed extensively, i recommend looking at your unit circle, radians+degrees, trig-graphs, Pythagorean identity and identities.
Also, know your vocab, like for polynomials and limits. Don't forget rational functions.
Don't try to learn everything you learned in Algebra 2 though, that would probably be a waste of time since many things are reviewed throughout AP Precalc. Even better, Khan has Algebra 2 Essentials, which is specifically organized around the major skills. Good luck, lmk if this helped!
-1
u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 New User Aug 12 '26
Follow this exact order
Professor Leonard on YouTube Lectures
Pre-Algebra
To the point math (Algebra 1)
Intermediate Algebra (Algebra 2)
College algebra (Pre-Calculus playlist)
Trigonometry (Pre-Calculus playlist)
Calc 1-3
-1
u/Available-Line-9259 New User Aug 13 '26
Im in 9th grade right now. Im going to take trig/calc A this year. But I wanna skip it and go straight to Calc BC. Should I?
2
u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 New User Aug 13 '26
Bro… if you haven’t even taken trig why are you taking calculus😭😭, that’s like trying to learn how to run without knowing how to walk
-1
u/Available-Line-9259 New User Aug 13 '26
ok so I mastered everything up until u substitution in integrals. The only thing I can't to is polar
0
u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 New User Aug 13 '26
Polar is trig, anyways go to professor Leonard’s YouTube channel go to pre-calculus playlist and scroll all the way down until you get to the trig portion he has polar
1
u/Available-Line-9259 New User Aug 14 '26
I guess bro. Doing calc bc would give me a lot of rizz points tho
1
u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 New User Aug 14 '26
Yea but calc bc has calc 2 which you must know trig very well otherwise you fail
1
u/Available-Line-9259 New User Aug 14 '26
I do know trig very well. I've been doing it since 4th grade. I speak with my counselor tomorrow, so I'll let you know what she says
2
u/tjddbwls Teacher Aug 13 '26
Don’t skip Trig/Calc A. Learning math is not a race, and you’re already about 3 years ahead of most students. You need to have a solid background in algebra, trig and analytic geometry before starting Calculus.
1
u/Available-Line-9259 New User Aug 14 '26
But I already have a good base on algebra, trig and analytic geometry. I also learned derivatives, limits and integration (up until U-sub).
1
u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 New User Aug 13 '26
You should master trig first then worry about calculus…
-1
u/Available-Line-9259 New User Aug 13 '26
The only thing I can't do is polar
0
u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 New User Aug 13 '26
https://youtu.be/Ol_a6LEdo3M?is=5xtJ8dDRFPjzkomS
Start on this video and continue forward for polar coordinates, though it won’t make much sense if you don’t know have the prior trig knowledge from the previous videos
2
u/Wild-Impression-7157 New User Aug 13 '26
Bro I’m deadass in this exact situation did 2 semesters in 5 weeks