Any advice on studying for a Calculus II final?

leor_77 · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Mar 2012 Posts: 21920

It's on Wednesday, and I've done some studying already (unfortunately, the teacher made our last exam yesterday, so I did a lot of studying for that, as well as things for other classes), instead of putting 100% into reviewing for the final).

I've been going over old tests, and have tried to make an outline of the major concepts/types of problems that I need to know. I'm thinking of writing down questions on index cards, and having the solutions worked out on the back, and then just picking them out randomly.

The parts that I've had the most difficulty with are parametric and polar equations, applications to physics (work done, hydrostatic pressure, etc.), and, for some odd reason, moments & center of mass (embarrassing). Probably more stuff that would give me difficulty that I likely just haven't gone over yet.

tlim · Star Player Joined: 26 Jun 2002 Posts: 6649

Go through all your homework again?
Understand the concepts down pat? If so, most tests don't take a big leap in conceptual thinking (except for David Huffman in my graph theory class way back when).

Seems like a _lot_ of tests are based upon the homework, and just small tweaks based upon them, so perhaps go from there.

SP_Fever · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:22 pm Post subject:

http://funnyitgw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/funny-math-problem-simple-test.jpg
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20,000 · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:24 pm Post subject:

Just get drunk, forget about it, and watch a lot of porn
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Gimme_the_rock · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:47 pm Post subject:

Grammer · Star Player Joined: 25 Jun 2013 Posts: 1273

mhan00 · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32059

Go back through your homework and previous exams. If you've kept up all semester, you should be fine. If you have to cram, you're probably screwed.

Alpha · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 4:25 pm Post subject:

^agreed. Just crank problems. Having your last exam so close might prove to be a blessing. I disagree though about cramming... if in that position just jam and cram... and relax. Got me thru school.

kikanga · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:15 pm Post subject:

Two words. Math Lab.

Go to whatever tutoring opportunities the Math department offers. Alot of times they have a room designated for tutoring with different student tutors rotating through. Got me through Calculus 2.

Have someone go through it with you. Then spend hours on the back end on your own. Once you've been walked through how to use the concepts (likely derivates and anti-derivatives) you can practice more effectively on your own.
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LakerFan87 · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:28 pm Post subject:

Do a lot of problems like others have said, but make sure you re-work them enough times to the point where you can do them without the aid of textbooks or any other outside resources. Don't just stop working a problem when you finally get the right answer. Make sure you understand it completely.

In particular for Calc II, a lot of integrals require fancy tricks that make sense when shown to you, but you would have never thought to do them yourself. Make mental notes of those tricks. And if your professor did problems like that in the lecture notes, pay special attention to those, as they could very likely put similar problems on their exams.
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Lakers95 · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:29 pm Post subject:

Good luck to you, OP. I have my Calc III final tomorrow night. It's the last math test that I'll ever have to take in college

Actually, not really. My major is math-based.

For my reviewing, I'm just watching Youtube lectures, reviewing the practice final that my professor uploaded, and going through online notes because the notes that I wrote in class over the last 2 months were complete crap.

LakerFan87 · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:35 pm Post subject:

dmorans1 · Franchise Player Joined: 11 Sep 2012 Posts: 11669

Hardest class I have taken. Took it twice and passed it with an A the second time. Though I do think the professor was very generous when giving out the grades. Good luck on your exam. Don't really have an advice cause my study habits are far from ideal or normal.

Lakers95 · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:41 pm Post subject:

LakerFan87 · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 6:06 pm Post subject:

non-player zealot · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 21365

Hey, Kimo, aren't you proud of me, I'm the first dude here! What's cal-coo-liss?

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C M B · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 8:36 pm Post subject:

non-player zealot · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 21365

DaMuleRules · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 10:22 pm Post subject:

20,000 · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:33 am Post subject:

ringfinger · Retired Number Joined: 08 Oct 2013 Posts: 29418

lakers0505 · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 10701

Review of old exams I agree with that. Get through it, it's almost over! You probably won't use much of the material going forward either, so rejoice. Well Trig substitution or by parts at least in Cal 3 or future classes.

leor_77 · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Mar 2012 Posts: 21920

You guys always give great advice. My main strategy has been to write as many questions as I can (i.e. sin trig sub, tan trig sub, sec trig sub, partial fraction w/linear factors, partial fractions with quadratic factors, center of mass of particles, center of mass of a function, etc.) on flash cards with the answer/solution on the back, and just doing them. I would like to say that I will write every question/scenario possible on a test, but that is obviously impossible.

I'm trying to work through the physics applications right now. Work required to move/hold a spring, hydrostatic pressure on one side of triangular tank, work to empty a tank, etc. Just super paranoid right now since the final is worth so much of my grade.

leor_77 · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Mar 2012 Posts: 21920