MHF4U vs MCV4U: which should you take first?
Krsna Academy · · 5 min read
Take Advanced Functions (MHF4U) first. The Ontario curriculum requires MHF4U to be taken before or at the same time as Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), and calculus leans on Advanced Functions in almost every unit. The rest of this guide explains why, and what to do if your timetable does not cooperate.
What each course covers
| Advanced Functions (MHF4U) | Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) | |
|---|---|---|
| Main topics | Polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, combining functions | Rates of change, derivatives and their applications, curve sketching, optimization, vectors, lines and planes |
| Prerequisite | Functions 11 (MCR3U) or MCT4C | MHF4U, taken before or at the same time |
| Feels like | A deeper version of Grade 11 Functions | A new subject that uses everything you already know |
| Needed for | Most university science, business, and engineering programmes | Engineering, math, physics, computer science, and many business programmes |
Why Advanced Functions comes first
Calculus asks you to find derivatives of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Advanced Functions is where you learn how those functions behave. If you meet them for the first time in calculus, you are learning two things at once.
Three MHF4U skills show up constantly in MCV4U:
- Factoring and solving polynomial and rational equations, used to find critical points and intervals of increase and decrease.
- Radian measure and trigonometric identities, used for derivatives of sine and cosine.
- Exponent and logarithm laws, used for derivatives of exponential functions and for simplifying answers.
The three common timetables
- MHF4U in semester one, MCV4U in semester two. This is the best order. You finish Advanced Functions before calculus starts.
- Both in the same semester. This is allowed and common. Schools usually teach the calculus units first and the vectors units last so that Advanced Functions has time to catch up. Expect a heavy workload.
- MCV4U in semester one, MHF4U in semester two. Most schools will not schedule this, because it breaks the corequisite rule. If it appears on your timetable, speak to guidance.
If you are in a non-semestered school, both courses run all year alongside each other, which works well as long as you keep up in Advanced Functions.
If you are taking both at once
- Review Grade 11 Functions in the summer or the first two weeks, especially factoring, exponent laws, and trigonometric ratios.
- Ask your calculus teacher which Advanced Functions topics are coming up, and read ahead on those.
- Keep one set of notes on function behaviour that you use in both courses.
- Do not let one course slide to protect the other. Both marks count for admissions.
What about university admissions?
Ontario universities look at your top six Grade 12 U or M courses, and many programmes name specific required courses. Engineering and most math and physical science programmes require both MHF4U and MCV4U. Many business and life science programmes require MHF4U and either require or recommend MCV4U. Requirements differ by university and change from year to year, so check each programme's admission page.
Getting support
These two courses decide a lot, and falling behind in one affects the other. Our Ontario tutoring covers both by course code, and one tutor can support the pair so the connections are made explicit. See our calculus tutoring page for the topics we cover in MCV4U.