COURSE INFO

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SYLLABUS

HOMEWORK

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

OFFICE HOURS


Math 125, Spring 2004

Calculus 1

Writing Assignments



Give brief but clear answers to the questions below. Click on this link to send me an email with your answers. Make sure to type 'Calculus Assignment' and the date in the subject line.

For Monday, March 1

Section 1.15: Optimization of Functions
  1. Give a step by step method for finding the maximum and minimum values of a function.
  2. Why might drawing a picture be helpful in optimizing a function?
  3. Write a question like that in the homework of section 1.15.

For Wednesday, March 3

Section 1.16: Review of Trigonometry
  1. How long has it been since you've studied trig? What areas of trigonometry do you feel you need the most review on?
  2. What is a radian (you may need to use Webster's or another math text for this one)?
  3. There is an exam in a week (didn't we just go through this??) What can we do to best prepare for the test.

For Friday, March 5

Section 1.17 Applications of the Derivative
  1. Why does it make sense, from a graphical standpoint, that the derivative of the sine is the cosine and the derivative of the cosine is the negative of the sine?
  2. Is the tangent function differentiable everywhere? Explain.
Note: You may download a copy of the practice exam here

For Monday, March 8

Section 1.18: Exponentials and Logarithms
  1. How do we make sense of a number like '3 to the pi power'?
  2. What tool allows us to solve for variables in an exponent?
  3. What is e? Do a web search and find something interesting to tell me

For Wednesday, March 10

Exam the Second
  1. Get plenty of rest the night before the exam.
  2. Study hard and arrive prepared to do your best.
  3. Enjoy your spring break!! :)

For Wednesday, March 31

Section 1.20: Derivatives of Exponents and Logarithms
  1. What's nice about the function ex in terms of its derivative?
  2. How do we find the derivative of f(x)=ln x?
  3. There is a polynomial function with derivative x2, one with derivative x3, etc. Why is there none with derivative x-1?
Click on this link to send me an email with your answers. Make sure to type 'Calculus Assignment' and the date in the subject line.

To be done within the next week

Midterm assessment
You may either complete this by sending me an email answering these questions, or, if you prefer to remain anonymous, you may use a different email account or send me something through campus mail.
  1. What is going well in the course thus far? What could be going better?
  2. What am I doing well as a professor in the course thus far? What could I be doing better?
  3. What are you doing well as a student thus far? What could you be doing better?

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