MATH 2

MATH 2 is the subject called Preparatory Course to Calculus. It is a non-credit (or audit) preparatory one-semester subject for students who need to strengthen their knowledge of precalculus or who have insufficient mathematics background necessary for succeeding in calculus. We highly recommend this to students who have a weak foundation in mathematics and for those who may not have had the opportunity to go through precalculus. From experience, students coming in Calculus without the necessary preparation struggle with low or failing grades in the subject. Taking MATH 2 is designed to provide students with this needed preparation. 

If you’re not quite sure where your precalculus abilities stand, please take the Diagnostic Exam in case you still haven’t.  

If you have gone through precalculus concepts before, or if you know you are skilled in quantitative subjects, and you think you just need a quick refresher, you can consider taking MATH PREP instead.  

We observed that students who struggled with learning Calculus are usually those who have a hard time with applying certain algebraic concepts and skills. Hence, this school year, the MATH 2 topics are designed in such a way that students are given ample time to review these concepts and skills while also already learning some of the early topics in Calculus.  

The MATH 2 modules and topics are as follows:  

Module 0: Prerequisite Algebraic Skills

0.1. Solving Linear Equations

Review: Addition property of equality, multiplication property of equality

0.2. Solving Quadratic and Polynomial Equations

Review: Multiplication of binomials (FOIL), factoring and expanding polynomials, zero-product property

0.3. Solving Rational Equations

Review: LCD, extraneous solutions

Module 1. Preparatory Topics for Limits

1.1. Intuitive Definition of a Limit   

1.2. Solving Limits of Functions Based on their Graphs  

Review: Different type of functions (e.g., linear functions, quadratic, absolute value, piecewise, etc.) 

1.3. Limits of Polynomial Functions and Rational Functions (of the form 0/0)

Review: Graphs of polynomial and rational functions, rational functions whose graphs have “holes”, vertical and horizontal asymptotes    

1.4. Limits of Functions Involving Radicals 

Review: Rationalizing denominators

Module 2. Preparatory Topics for Derivatives

2,1, Limit definition of the derivative 

2,2, Tangent Lines

Review: Equations of lines, parallel and perpendicular lines  

2.3. Differentiation Rules 

Review: Laws of exponents, simplifying algebraic expressions 

2.4. Derivatives of Exponential, Logarithmic, and Trigonometric Functions

Review: Graphs and properties of exponential and logarithmic functions, graphs of sine and cosine functions, Common trigonometric identities  

2.5. Problem Solving and Applications

The topics may be further adjusted according to the needs of the class. 

Note that Limits and Derivatives are actually topics under Calculus. While these concepts will be discussed in MATH 2, this course will be focused more on solidifying the algebraic skills identified for review under each item. 

No. You do not need to take MATH 2 if you are already going to take a full course of precalculus in your degree program. The following degree programs already include MATH 21 and will therefore not need MATH 2: 

BS CH, BS CH-MSE, BS CS, BS CS-DGDD, AB EC, AB EC-H, BS ES, BS LfSci, AB MEC, BS MGT.

If you think you need some review for precalculus, you can consider enrolling in Track A of MATH PREP instead. 

The following programs will be taking Calculus but do not include precalculus in their curriculum: 

BS COMTECH, BS ITE, BS LM, BS MAC, BS MGT-H, BS ME, BS APS-MSE, BS CpE, BS EcE, BS HS, BS MA, BS MIS, BS PS, BSM AMF, BS AMDSc-M DSci.

Students under these programs should consider taking MATH 2 if they have very poor or weak mathematics foundation. 

NOTE: We do not recommend for BS IDE students to take MATH 2 (despite not having MATH 21 in its program of study) because of the program's strict course schedules. Instead, we recommend BS IDE students to go through a precalculus refresher (e.g., via review materials or via MATH PREP.

SHS strands have been indicative of one’s foundation in mathematics. In particular, STEM students should have taken a full course of precalculus already, and may even have taken up bits of calculus. Non-STEM students usually do not have the same precalculus subject although it’s also possible that they have taken other quantitative and analytical subjects or electives in their respective tracks that have also honed their mathematical skills.

While we can generally say that STEM students have done better in their college mathematics subjects in the last few school years, we do not want to give a blanket recommendation regarding the need for MATH 2 based on a student’s SHS strand. On the one hand, there have been STEM students who struggled with calculus or even precalculus, and there have also been non-STEM students who excelled with calculus without needing to take up supplementary precalculus support.  

Instead of solely deciding about your need for precalculus support solely based on your SHS strand, we would like you to consider our recommendation based on your diagnostic test result as well. If you know that you have a strong mathematics background and you managed the practice and diagnostic test items well enough, then perhaps a full course of MATH 2 might not be necessary. Otherwise, do consider taking up some precalculus review prior to taking your calculus subject.

While MATH 2 is a subject that is taken for a whole semester (meeting 3 hours per week) like an ordinary 3-unit course, it is actually assigned 0 units. It is an audit course that is not part of your regular curriculum. The final grade in this class is only either an S (Satisfactory) or a U (Unsatisfactory). It is not counted towards computing a student’s semestral or yearly quality point index (QPI). 

MATH 2 is a 3-unit subject and it will be charged to your tuition as a regular 3-unit subject should you decide to take it.

Yes, the Office of Admission and Aid (OAA) covers enrollment in MATH 2 as long as you are under a degree program considered as a Calculus-program that does not require MATH 21. 

One of the difficulties with taking MATH 2 is borne out of it being an audit course. We noticed that since it does not count towards the final grade of students, some students tend to not take it that seriously especially by the middle and latter part of the semester when requirements from other subjects were piling in. This affected the overall motivation and performance of the students in the classroom. The students who get the most out of taking MATH 2 are those who have strong intrinsic motivation to learn for the sake of learning, not just learn for the sake of grades. 

In a study conducted by our faculty, it was found that among the students who took MATH 2, those who obtained a grade of S (Satisfactory) were significantly more likely to get a grade of C or above in their first calculus course. This points to the likelihood that students who performed better in MATH 2 gained or strengthened their knowledge, skills and discipline that helped them learn calculus better. 

Last year (SY 2024-2025), we tracked the students who took MATH 2. It was found that everyon who passed MATH 2 received a passing class standing in their respective Calculus subject. 

To be clear, we do not claim that taking MATH 2 guarantees passing calculus. Individual circumstances may vary. But if you are able to apply the appropriate knowledge, skills, and discipline intended to be developed in MATH 2, then you can learn calculus fruitfully. 

Here are some excerpts from students’ response to what they found most helpful with MATH 2: 

“I personally found Math 2 to be incredibly helpful for navigating my experience in taking MATH 31.1. I would honestly like to say that the most helpful part of taking Math 2 for me was the extra time it gave me to slowly digest calculus. Coming from a HUMSS background, I had no idea about limits, but the slower approach the class took helped give me more time to further strengthen my pre-calculus base, and really allowed me to understand how derivatives work, as well as some techniques, which eventually led to a stronger grasp on differentiation, which was of course quite helpful in dealing with integrals.” (BS ME student)

“I would say it was a decision that I was satisfied to a certain degree. MATH 2 tackled most of what was tackled in Modules 1 and 2 of MATH 30.23 (Limits and Derivatives). It was helpful for me, as going into those topics, I felt a little more comfortable going into them and re-learning the topics wasn’t as hard as the first time I encountered them in MATH 2.” (BS MIS student)

“MATH 2 did not only introduce me to the basics of limits and derivatives, which are the foundation of calculus, but it also trained me in how to approach college math here in Ateneo. I learned how to review effectively for math exams, manage my time better, and solve practice exercises with more confidence. It even helped me meet new friends, which made my experience more enriching." (BS LM student) 

• As you may know, freshmen are usually assigned to blocks when their classes are scheduled for the first two years. Since MATH 2 is not part of your regular curriculum, you will likely be put in a MATH 2 class with students from other blocks for this subject. (Opportunity to make more new friends!)

• In case you are taking other subjects on audit, please note that you need to be enrolled in at least 15 units of credit subjects if you want to be recognized for academic honors for a particular semester (e.g., Dean’s Lister). Do check the subjects you are taking if this is a concern. If MATH 2 is your only audit subject, you’re likely not in danger of taking less than 15 units of credit subjects. 

You can always find other ways to review (e.g., self-studying modules, watching lecture videos, finding a tutor, etc.). But please make sure that you will get some extra support before or during the period when you take calculus. Calculus is a really nifty and cool subject and we wouldn’t want you to miss out on the fun of learning it properly.  (Pardon the nerdy fan comment. :))

In case you don’t know when exactly you will be taking up calculus in your program, refer here.