Calculus is a powerful and essential branch of mathematics, used across science, engineering, economics, and beyond. But before you can truly grasp the concepts in calculus, it's important to have a firm understanding of algebra and trigonometry. Whether you're a high school student getting ready for AP Calculus or a college student preparing for your first university-level calculus course, strengthening your foundational math skills is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success.

Why Preparation Matters:
Many students struggle in calculus not because of the calculus itself, but because they’ve forgotten—or never fully mastered—the algebraic and trigonometric tools that calculus builds upon. Topics like functions, equations, identities, and graphing play a critical role in solving calculus problems. Taking the time to review these topics before starting a calculus course can dramatically boost your confidence and performance.

What to Focus On Before Calculus:
Here are the core areas you should review:

• Algebra Skills:

  • Understanding functions and their graphs

  • Solving linear and quadratic equations

  • Working with polynomial and rational expressions

  • Applying exponent and logarithmic rules

• Trigonometry Skills:

  • Evaluating trigonometric functions

  • Using identities to simplify expressions

  • Solving trigonometric equations

  • Understanding the unit circle and key angle values

Free Video Series to Help You Get Calculus-Ready:
To help you review these topics step-by-step, I’ve created a free YouTube playlist: 🎥 Calculus Prep: Algebra and Trigonometry Review

This series walks you through the key concepts you’ll need, with clear explanations, guided examples, and free downloadable notes to follow along. Whether you’re reviewing for a placement exam or just want to feel more confident when calculus begins, this series is for you.

📥 Get the Guided Notes Here:

• Calculus Prep Notes

You can print them out or use them digitally to take notes and review concepts as you go.

Final Thoughts:
Preparing for calculus doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right review and resources, you can enter your calculus course with the skills—and confidence—you need to succeed. Use this playlist and the guided notes to reinforce your understanding, and take your time to truly master the concepts.