AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC are both Advanced Placement (AP) calculus courses offered by the College Board. They cover calculus concepts at different levels of depth and complexity. Here's a comparison of the two courses:

AP Calculus AB:

• Focus: AP Calculus AB is an introductory calculus course that covers a wide range of fundamental calculus topics, including limits, derivatives, and integrals. It is roughly equivalent to a first-semester college calculus course.
• Content: The course emphasizes the concepts and techniques of calculus, with a focus on understanding the meaning and interpretation of derivatives and integrals in various contexts.
• Difficulty: It is considered more accessible and less rigorous than AP Calculus BC due to covering a narrower scope of topics and involving fewer advanced applications.

• Focus: AP Calculus BC is an extension of AP Calculus AB, providing more advanced topics and applications of calculus. It covers all the topics in AP Calculus AB and introduces additional concepts, such as parametric, polar, and vector functions, as well as series and sequences. It is equivalent to a full-year college calculus course.
• Content: In addition to the content covered in AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC delves deeper into the applications of calculus, including advanced integration techniques and more complex problems involving differential equations and series.
• Difficulty: AP Calculus BC is considered more challenging and comprehensive than AP Calculus AB due to the additional topics covered and the higher level of complexity in problem-solving.

• Choose AP Calculus AB if: You have a strong foundation in pre-calculus and are comfortable with the basics of calculus. If you prefer a more manageable pace and want to focus on mastering the fundamental concepts of calculus, AP Calculus AB might be the better option.
• Choose AP Calculus BC if: You have a solid understanding of pre-calculus and are eager to explore more advanced topics and applications of calculus. If you are considering a math, science, engineering, or economics-related field of study in college, AP Calculus BC can provide you with a deeper understanding of calculus and its real-world applications.