Preparing for the final exam

Here are the subjects that you will want to study for, in preparation for the final exam:

• Graphs: how to draw graphs of functions given information about height, slope, and concavity
• Graphs: how to interpret graphs of functions by using height, slope, and concavity
• Limits: computing limits, especially of the form 0/0
• The Definition of the Derivative (almost like an essay question, where content, form, and syntax all matter)
• Tangent lines: how to derive them, and what they tell us (or don't) about the function
• Algebraic derivative rules:  the chain, product, and quotient rules, along with rules for derivatives of functions
• Applications of derivatives to physical situations, especially regarding optimization
• Applications of derivatives to algebraic and graphical situations, especially regarding optimization
• Antiderivatives
• Riemann Sums
• Integrals, especially representing area under a curve
• The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: using antiderivatives as a tool to compute area

Here is a copy of a final exam I gave in 2006.   Here are the solutions to that exam.

Here is a copy of a final exam I gave in 2011.  Here are the solutions to that exam.

I will hold open office hours before the exam -- tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 13 from 9 to 5.

Our exam will be Thursday December 14 at 7 p.m. in the Lisa Bonchek Adams Auditorium.  We will share that space with another calculus class.  When you arrive, place your backpacks (etc) at the front of the room and then look for a desk with a yellow exam.  We'll alternate the rows Crannell, Ressler. and empty (the empty rows are so that we can get to you if you have questions).    You don't want to take the green exam!

The front page of your exam reads,

Directions: During this exam, please leave your backpack, cell phone, and other personal belongings at the front of the classroom. You may use one sheet of notes. (You may write on both sides of this sheet). You may not use a calculator, your book, or any other notes. 

This exam contains 11 questions on 10 pages. If you have any questions during the exam, please do feel free to ask for clarification. 

Please save 5–10 minutes for writing up your solutions neatly. If you would like to leave early, please leave quietly so that you don’t disturb your classmates. 

Solutions to the second midterm

The solutions to the second midterm are here.

The rest of the semester . . .

Friday November 17:  Web Assign Homework H-4.6.2 is due 4 p.m.

No other homework (group homework or webassign) due before Thanksgiving break.
Monday, November 20:  Check-in 4.6.2

Thanksgiving break homework:

• Get lots of sleep!
• Wash your hands, too.
• Web Assign H-4.8 due Sunday, November 26

Monday, November 27:  Check-In 4.8.  No Group homework due.

Tuesday, November 28: Web Assign H-5.1

Wednesday, November 29:  Check-In 5.1

Thursday, November 30: Web Assign H-5.2

Friday, December 1:  Check-In 5.2

Sunday, December 3:  Web Assign H-5.3

Monday, December 4:  Check-In 5.3

              also, Group Homeworks G-4.6.2, 4.8, 5.1, 5.2 due.

Tuesday, December 5:  overflow, in case we need time

Wednesday, December 6:  Begin review, I hope.

Solutions to Group Homeworks G-4.3 and G-4.6

Here is a solution to group homework G-4.3.

Here is a solution to group homework G-4.6.

mid-November Calculus happenings

Here are some up-coming calculus events

• Wednesday, Nov. 8:  Check-In 4.3.
  We're starting section 4.6 in class.  The homeworks for this section will take a good bit of time; I strongly suggest starting them early, so you can figure out where you get stuck, and ask questions in class.
• Thursday, Nov. 9:  Nothing due.  (But look at Web Assign!!!)
• Friday, Nov. 10:  Check-In 4.6.   This one will be 10 minutes -- 5 where you can talk to classmates, and then 5 minutes alone.
• Sunday, Nov 12:  Web Assign H-4.6.
• Monday, November 13: Group HW G-4.2, 4.3, 4.6
• Tuesday, November 14: Nothing due.
  Open office hours, 9 a.m. -11:30 a.m. and again 12:30 p.m.--3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 15:  Midterm 2.
• Thursday, November 16:  Nothing due, but do as much of Web-Assign H-4.6.2 as you can.
• Friday, November 17 in class, we'll do more with word problems.  We'll have a half-hour to look over Web Assign problems, so feel free to bring your computer.
  Web-Assign H-4.6.2 is due after class at 4:00 p.m. (Friday).

What's due in early November

Here are some upcoming assignments in early November.

• Thurs., Nov. 2: WebAssign H-3.7
• Fri, Nov. 3: Check-In 3.7
• Sun, Nov. 5: WebAssign H-4.2
• Mon., Nov. 6: Group Homework G-3.6 and G-3.7
•         also, Check-In 4.2
• Tues., Nov. 7:  WebAssign 4.3
• Wed., Nov. 8:  Check-In 4.3

At this point, we'll start section 4.6, Optimization problems.  These are word problems, which we'll want to spend a bunch of time on.  We'll see how that goes . . . I'll assign homeworks when I think you're ready for them.

The midterm on November 15 will cover material up through section 4.6.   See the previous blog post for lots of information about preparing for the midterm.

The second midterm

Our second midterm will be in class on November 15.

As before, I encourage you to review by practicing problems.   You can

• redo Group homework problems
• practice the Flashcard problems, especially pages 9-21 (available from a link ---> over there)
• redo your WebAssign problems.

Here is a copy of the midterm I used last fall; here are solutions to that midterm.

If, while you're practicing, you realize you need some help, you can

• see the math tutors (available Sun-Thurs 4p.m. - 10 p.m.), or 
• come see me.   

As usual, my office hours are whenever my door is open, or by appointment.  In addition, I'll have

• "Open Office Hours" on Tuesday November 14, 9 a.m. -- 3 p.m.

The directions on the front of this year's second midterm reads,

Directions: During this exam, please leave your backpack, cell phone, and other personal belongings at the front of the classroom. You may use one sheet of notes. (You may write on both sides of this sheet). You may not use a calculator, your book, or any other notes. 

This midterm contains (6 or 7) questions on 7 pages. If you have any questions during the exam, please do feel free to ask me for help or for clarification. 

Please save 5–10 minutes for writing up your solutions neatly. If you would like to leave early, please leave quietly so that you don’t disturb your classmates. 

This midterm asks questions about material up through section 4.6. 

Calculus as October becomes November

Here are some upcoming due dates and events

• R October 26:  Web Assign H-3.4.1
• F October 27:  No class!  Since some of you asked, here is where I'll be.
• M October 30:  Group Homeworks G-3.3 and 3.4
• T October 31:  Web Assign H-3.6
• W November 1:  Check-In 3.6
• R November 2:  Web Assign H-3.7

Calculus in the end of October

Here are some upcoming due dates and events

• F October 20:  Check-In 3.2 on the product and quotient rule
• S October 21:  Family Meet and Greet, 10-11 a.m. (my office, Stager 221)
• S October 22:  Web Assign H-3.3
• M October 23: Group Homeworks G-2.6, 3.1, 3.2 
  --- also, Check-In 3.3 on Trig Derivatives
• T October 24: Web Assign H-3.4 
  --- also, Math club event (see below)
• W October 25:  Check-In 3.4 on the Chain Rule
• R October 26:  Web Assign H-3.4.1
• F October 27:  No class!
• M October 30:  Group Homeworks G-3.3 and 3.4

There's a Math Club event on Tuesday, October 24 at 4:30.  Here's what the Math Club President says:

Come to the "Virtual Tour of the Math Department" presentation at 4:30 PM on Tuesday, October 24th, in Stager 215! 
Come hear about the professors’ research interests, their journeys of becoming a mathematician.  Come hear the experiences of current math major/minors who have studied abroad in a math program and non-math program, who have done summer research/independent study, and who also have a major in physics/computer science.  Come hear from those majors who are graduating earlier, and from recent graduates. Come to know about what resources the department has to offer you.  Come to know anything you need to know about the department...and ask any questions you may have!
Cannot be missed! Looking forward seeing you there!
Sent on behalf of ChengCheng Zhai, Math Club President

Solutions to the first midterm

Here are the solutions to the first midterm.

There was a slight curve on the midterm.  To calculate this curve, what I did was to first add up the points from the problems you solved.  That "total" I then multiplied by 4/5 and added 20.  I then rounded to the nearest whole number.  The curved grade is the circled one on your exam, and that's what I entered into Canvas.

The average grade on the exam (after the curve) was 80.

No group homework this weekend

To give you time to recover after the midterm, I've decided to scratch this week's group homework.  There NO group homework due Monday, October 16!

There is a WebAssign homework (3.1) that will give you practice with the power rule and the exponent rule, due Sunday right before midnight.

You will get more practice on the power rule and exponent rule on WebAssign homework 3.1.2 (due Tuesday October17).  We will have Checkin 3.1 on Wednesday, October 18.

So here is a list of upcoming due dates for the next week :

• October 15:  WebAssign 3.1
• October 17:  Web Assign 3.1.2
• October 18:  Check-In 3.1
• October 19:  WebAssign 3.2
• October 20:  Check-In 3.2
• October 23: Group Homeworks G2.6, 3.1, 3.2

Fall break homework, plus exam topics

For Fall Break, you have three calculus assignments:

1. Do Web Assign Homework H-2.8, by Tuesday the 10th.
2. Get lots of sleep. And then, more sleep.  If your parents ask what you're doing, say, "My calculus homework!"
3. Wash your hands frequently.  

You've been under a bunch of stress, and so the sudden release of tension, combined with easy access to new germs, will bring a bunch of people down.  Don't be one of those people!

*****

What's going to be on the exam?  Really, any material so far is fair game.  I tried to design the midterm with questions that would assess the following skills:

• making connections between physical reality and algebraic expressions
• making connections between graphs and algebraic expressions
• constructing formulas for linear functions
• constructing formulas for exponential functions
• manipulating logarithms (using log rules, and determining inverses)
• graphing compositions of functions and inverses of functions
• evaluating limits that involve 0-over-0
• evaluating or constructing formulas for functions that have various asymptotes and roots
• beautifully demonstrating and applying the definition of the derivative

In particular, the last question on this midterm will ask you to use the definition of the derivative; I will grade this question on accuracy and completeness as well as on correct notation and formatting.  

Hidden within the list of calculus skills above is an ability to do algebra: to factor quadratics, to simplify fractions, to distribute negative signs, to multiply by the conjugate, to manipulate exponents.  These are not the main subject of calculus, but it's hard to do calculus correctly if you haven't practiced your algebra skills.

During the midterm, I will ask you to leave your backpack, cell phone, and other personal belongings at the front of the classroom. You may bring one 8.5"x11" sheet of notes. (You may write on both sides of this sheet). You may not use a calculator, your book, or any other notes.

From now until fall break

Upcoming WebAssign homeworks
There is no Web Assign homework for section 2.5.  (yay!  homework holiday!)
Web Assign homework 2.6 will be due Sunday, October 1.

Web Assign homework 2.7 is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday Thursday, October 3 5.

Web Assign homework 2.8 is tentatively scheduled for Thursday Tuesday, October 5 10.

Upcoming Group homeworks
Group homeworks G-2.4 and G-2.5 are due Monday, October 2.
There is no group homework due Monday, October 9 nor Wednesday, October 11.
Group homeworks G-2.6, 2.7, and 2.8 will be due Monday, October 16.

The previous blog post gives a bunch of different ways to study for the upcoming midterm.

Preparing for the first midterm

Our first midterm will be October 13, the Friday after fall break.

How can you prepare for this?  My best advice is to practice problems.  Don't just read your notes, because I don't test you on how well you read math.  Instead, do problems from start to finish.

• You can print out blank copies of our in-class worksheets and redo the ones you need practice on.
• You can practice the "Flash cards" that I gave you (most of these are taken from the worksheets).
• You can redo the problems from the Check-ins, especially the ones you didn't get right the first time.  (These were supposed to be the "easy" problems from your web-assign homework, by the way, so if you got them wrong you should definitely make sure you can do them again and get them right).
• You can redo your Web-Assign homework problems, especially the ones you didn't get right on the first attempt.
• You can redo your group homework problems.  I wouldn't give you something that hard as a new problem on a midterm, but any past group homework problem is fair game for a midterm question, because I'm expecting you to have learned how to do that now.

The links at the right -----> include the flash cards and our in-class worksheets.

You will be allowed to bring an 8.5"x11" page of notes (you may write front and back on it; it should have your name somewhere on it).  So in your practicing problems, you can also start working on developing that page.

When you think you're ready, you can also see what a past midterm looks like.  Here's the midterm I gave last fall.   And here are the solutions to that midterm.

And of course, you should feel free to work with your classmates, and with the math tutors, and to come see me if you have questions!

canvas, more homework, more group homework

If you just got umpteen emails about un-muted assignments, I apologize for spamming your InBox.  But this means that Canvas now displays the grades I have for you in the categories of

• Extra Credits,
• Check-ins, and 
• Group homeworks.

Canvas doesn't yet talk nicely to WebAssign, so you'll have to go there for your individual homework grades.

Speaking of individual homework, 

• WebAssign 2.3 will be due Thursday the 21st  Sunday the 24th;
• WebAssign 2.4 will be due Sunday the 24th Tuesday the 26th.

You'll have three group homework problems (G-2.1, G-2.2, and G-2.3) due Monday the 25th.

Moving into Chapter 2

Web Assign H-2.1 will be due Sunday September 17.
Web Assign H-2.2 will be due Tuesday September 19.

Group homeworks G-1.5 and G-1.6 will be due Monday, September 18.
Don't forget that we have tutors, and that I put flashcards you can study from, via links over there ------>.

We'll be doing more computation in class on Monday the 18th, so feel free to bring a calculator!

Exponent and log due dates, plus credit freeze

Web Assign H-1.5 will be due Tuesday (before our Wednesday class).

Web Assign H-1.6 will be due Thursday (before our Friday class).
Web Assign H-2.1 will be probably due Sunday September 17.

Group homeworks G-1.5 and G-1.6 will be due Monday, September 18.

Some of you asked for this information, about freezing credit, so I'm including that here:

Information on how to freeze with all 3 agencies. 

https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp

https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze/place-credit-freeze

https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html 

It will cost you approximately $10 per freeze, and you will be provided with a PIN to unfreeze your credit should you want someone to pull it (say you’re applying for an apartment lease, buying a car, and so on).  

You can also put a fraud alert on your accounts for 90 days: 

 https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0275-place-fraud-alert 

And don't forget to wash your hands more frequently than usual -- bad germs are going around!

How to succeed in Calculus

Reminder:
WebAssign H1.3 is due Thursday night, before our Friday class.  For Monday, you and your homework groups should do problems G1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 from the ends of your first three worksheets.

Here's an announcement from the Math Club President, about a helpful session that will take place on

• Wednesday, September 13,
• 4:30,
• in Stager 215

She writes:

This semester, we want to do something new and hopefully the events we host will attract more students to come and potentially benefit them with their college career. 

The first event is about how to succeed in Calculus I. I have invited four students who took calculus I recently, who have struggled at first but ended up doing pretty well, to share their wisdom on how to succeed in calculus I course. I, myself, as a past math tutor, will also talk about what were the problems the students who came to me had. Two of them also took calculus II so they will also talk about what skills/knowledge you need to acquire in order to succeed in calculus II. Hopefully, these tips will be helpful for the current calculus I students. 

This is the first time math club ever hosted such event. And I sincerely hope that many students can come.

Google Calendar workshops

By popular demand, I've scheduled three (count 'em, 3!) workshops for you and your friends to become Google Calendar Champions.

1. Wednesday, 1:30-2:15 p.m., in our usual classroom (this is right between my two sections of calculus).   No muffins at this one, alas!
2. Wednesday, 7:30-8:00 p.m. in Stager 219.    Homemade muffins provided!
3. Thursday, 7:30-8:00 p.m. in Stager 219.    Homemade muffins provided!

The main point of each of these sessions is introducing Google Calendar (how to set up your own calendar, how to check out other people's calendars, and how to schedule appointments).

If you can't make any of these three, you are still welcome to come see me and ask questions about this.  Using a group-connected calendar is an incredibly useful skill to have, and I'd be glad to help you master this.

What's due from now to 9/11

For class Wednesday, you'll do Web-Assign H-1.2 (due the night before Wednesday, actually).   For class on Wednesday, you might want to bring colored pencils!  (I'll have some if you don't have any).

The solutions to the Algebraic Diagnostic are available from a link on the right ---->.

The night before Friday's class, you'll do Web Assign H-1.3.

For Monday's class, you might have Web Assign H 1.5 . . . we'll see how far we get.  But in your new homework groups, you should prepare these homeworks:  G-1.1, G-1.2, and G-1.3.  All of these assignments are listed toward the end of your corresponding class worksheets.

Group homework G-1.5 won't be due until 9/18, but you're welcome to start working on it early.

Late-breaking news! Math tutoring starts!

The mathematics departments has a group of student tutors available to help you, and they start tonight (Sunday September 3).    They are available Sunday through Thursday, 4-10 p.m., in various locations on the second floor of Stager.

See their schedule and locations in the link on the right ---->.

What's due before and on September 4?

Web Assign homework H 1.1 will be due before Monday's class:  Sunday night 11:59 p.m.

There is NO group homework due this week; that will start next week (September 11).

The Algebraic Diagnostic is available from a link on the right --->.   I'll happily collect them Monday in class, from students who choose to do them.

(By the way, we're done with working on worksheet 1.1 in class; we won't go over questions 26-30 from that worksheet as a group.  If you have questions of your own about that last bit, just let me know and I'll help you out.)