AP Calculus AB Vs. Calculus 1

AP Calculus AB Vs. Calculus 1

For the most part, the Advanced Placement (AP) courses have been consistent with their counterparts at the college level. However, one that is so different from its college correlation is AP Calculus AP boasting six main unique units (Limits, Derivatives, Applications of Derivatives, Integrals, Applications of Integrals, and Differential Equations). Which happens to be very different from most college’s Calculus 1 which includes Limits, Derivatives, Applications of Derivatives, and Integrals. So where do these additional units come from? And why are they there?

The first of the two additional units is Applications of Integrals, which is the use of integration to understand areas and volumes of graphical functions. Traditionally, this unit is covered in Calculus 2 as its first topic. This unit comes as one of the hardest for students in my opinion, as many of my friends taking this unit often complained about it.

The other unit that is an add on from Calculus 1 is Differential Equations which I believe to be an even bigger conundrum. Differential Equations understands how changes of one variable result in the other’s answer which is an entirely different class all together! That is why I find that one so weird, there’s a very high level class already detailing this which is something Calculus 1, 2, and 3 don’t do.

My guess as to why these extra units are in AP Calculus AB is due to the need to make this course long. Only covering four units would make the course too quick, especially since the students taking AP courses are fast learners. Nonetheless, these extra units are a way for students to get ahead in the future of their math classes when they reach these additional topics.