Could I study Calculus on my own, or do I need to take a class?

Question

I am starting a Masters program in Applied Economics soon. It actually requires some high level math - Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, etc.

I took up to Calculus in college, but this was 7 years ago. I was always an ok math student, certainly not a math genius or anything. I got As in math courses in HS, and Bs in college.

I honestly don't even remember much of the Algebra I learned in HS, much less Calculus. Thus I think jumping straight into Vector Calc would not be smart. Could I refresh my memory through self-study, or should I take a Calculus class at community college or something?

Answer 1

I took a class that required cal. 1,2, and 3- it had been five years since I had had any of them. All I did was go over all my old homework assignments and I got an A. Every once and a while there was things that I just really didn't remember, so I had to get out my textbook from the class I didn't remember and actually do a problem like the one I had to do, but, like I said, it was only once and a while.

Answer 2

Basic calculus and linear algebra aren't hard, particularly not when you don't need to understand the working behind the results (proofs based on limits etc). You're just remembering a few short-cut formulae and that's about it.



The Schaum books are the de-facto self-study book series, I'd recommend picking (or lending from library) some of them related to the content you need. There's also the recommended textbooks for courses which cover that material, usually good ones to get a loan of.



Calculus a complete course by Adams is a good one, but it might go into more depth in the actual mathematics than you need by a long shot (but you'll definitely understand the stuff, which might not be so bad in the long run).



Up to you really xD



edit: It might benefit you to also look for books on "integer programming", "linear programming" or "optimisation". It struck me that you might be doing quite a bit of that when analysing economic systems and finding "sweet spots". That material might be subsumed into standard linear algebra texts though, but check them for it.

Answer 3

I'd recommend the class. The material is difficult enough that I don't think you'd get where you want to be by self-study alone.