Should I Learn Calculus?

By | February 8, 2011
2 Comments
Cover of "Calculus for Dummies"

Cover of Calculus for Dummies

I got as far as pre-Calc in high school and then never followed up, in college or elsewhere.

Is it a good idea?
I’m of the opinion that we should all be trying as best we can to continue to learn throughout our lives, to take on new challenges, and in particular to hone our understanding of science, technology, and related fields.
I bought Calculus for Dummies a while back but never got very far with it — maybe it’s just that the title is too absurd for words. I mean, what could be more ridiculous — Rocket Science for Dummies?

But yesterday over on TR I was writing about the Education Bubble and the subject of the Khan Academy came up. 
I spent some time scrolling around the site. It’s amazing, the classes that are available there. And suddenly I feel that I’m out of excuses. 
Actually, now I have a completely new quandary. Should I take Calculus or something else?
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  • stephentg

    As a homeschool parent, I can tell you, Khan Academy is awesome.

    My kids are at least a full grade ahead in large part because of that guy.

  • peterbfritz

    Speaking as someone who has a Bachelor of Mathematics I can say that having some understanding of Calculus gives you the insight into how Euclid to Eistein were actually able to derive the basic laws of geometry and physics. With calculus you can undertand why the area of a circle is Pie*R^2 and why the inverse cube root works for all radiation type effects. So my basic recommendation is not necessary remembering all the various formulae but understanding “why” there are formulae. Just my 2 cents.