What is the Purpose of this Webpage?
- Based on your score on JCCC’s placement exam for mathematics, you have shown some level of trigonometry knowledge. However, your score is at a level slightly below the requirement for MATH 241 Calculus 1.
- This webpage is intended to inform you of your options and help you make a decision about what math class to take next. Properly motivated students can do some extra work before beginning Calculus and may be able to be successful in MATH 241. We want you to clearly understand what is expected and suggest materials for you to study to review the necessary trigonometry material.
Characteristics of Calculus Students
| A Strong Calculus Student… | A Student Who Might (or Might Not) Be Ready for Calculus… | A Student Who Likely Will Not Be Successful in Calculus… |
| Has at least 15 hours per week available and dedicated to studying and doing homework outside of Calculus class | Has a substantial amount of time, but less than 15 hours per week available to study and do homework outside of Calculus class | Has very little time available outside of Calculus class to dedicate to studying and doing homework |
| Always promptly does all homework problems assigned, both problems that are collected and graded and problems that are for practice but not graded | Does most of the homework problems assigned but sometimes comes to the next class not having completed all of the previous homework assignment | Does some assigned homework, usually just the problems that are collected and graded |
| Enjoys the challenge in solving problems | Has become skillful at solving math problems, and does not mind math homework, but does not particularly enjoy solving problems | Tolerates solving math problems, but thinks most homework assignments are just unnecessary “busy work” |
| Understands the necessity in solving word problems, spends time practicing and working word problems, and can solve word problems that are different from examples in text or from class | Practices assigned word problems and likes to work problems similar to examples in the textbook or that were worked out in class | Does not enjoy solving word problems and usually skips those assigned homework problems |
| Is self-motivated and self-disciplined and seeks help from the instructor or from the tutor center as soon as he/she has an issue | Sometimes delays seeking help from the instructor or from the tutor center, or relies too heavily on the tutor center and/or solutions manuals | Spends most of his or her study time outside of class in the one or two days prior to an exam |
| Has a strong background in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry and is able to recall previously learned skills with little or no review | Has taken algebra, geometry, and trigonometry and will need to review those previously learned skills occasionally | Has taken algebra, geometry, and trigonometry but needs to review those previously learned skills often |
| Is pursuing a degree that will use calculus in upper level courses and in a later career | Is pursuing a degree that requires calculus, and is unsure whether or not calculus might be used in later courses or career | Is pursuing a degree that requires calculus, but believes that calculus is not used in later career |
Materials for Trigonometry Review
If you feel the “Strong Calculus Student” best describes you, except for perhaps needing to review some trigonometry, you may want to consider reviewing trigonometry topics by using either or both of the links provided below.
Trigonometry Topics Accuplacer Review pdf
Khan Academy Trigonometry Materials: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/geometry-home/trigonometry
Permission to Enroll
If…
- you have read the above information,
- you understand the expectations for a Strong Calculus Student, and
- you will commit to reviewing trigonometry,