Which is better for seniors – IMP Year 4 or precalculus?
Many teachers see IMP Year 4 as better preparation for college mathematics. With its focus on big problems, the fourth year of IMP is more varied than a precalculus course. IMP Year 4 includes topics such as circular functions, computer graphics, and statistical sampling, as well as a unit on families of functions and how they are used to solve problems. Many colleges and universities are now offering a “reform” calculus class, in which the focus is on developing conceptual understanding and presenting problems in context. Most calculus classes now allow students to avail themselves of graphing calculator technology. These changes at the college level make IMP a natural preparation for calculus courses. Is IMP rigorous enough for the top students? Yes. This is a challenging curriculum for mathematically able students. Students are required to think, reason, and develop and apply mathematical models for real-world situations. Some students who have been successful in a skills-based curr
