Math 141B Bard College

Calculus I

Course:  Math 141B, Spring 2012

Time & Place:  MW 3:10 – 4:30 pm (RKC 115)

Instructor:  Maria Belk (mbelk@bard.edu)

Office Hours:
        Thursday 7 – 9 pm in RKC 102
        Friday 3 – 5 pm in RKC 102

Course Tutors:
        Kim Larie (kl165@bard.edu)
        Solomon Garber (sg8373@bard.edu)

Moodle Page:  MATH 141 S12

Announcements

Final Exam Practice Problems

Here are the final exam practice problems:

Final Exam Monday

The final exam is this Monday, May 21. A few notes on the exam:

New Formula Sheet

Here is a new version of the formula sheet that includes a couple of integration formulas: Copies of this formula sheet will be available during the final exam.

Practice Problems

Here are all of the practice problems since the last exam, organized by topic:

Differentials Notes

Here are some notes on differentials::

Exam Solutions

Here are the solutions to the first and second exam:

Practice Exams

Here are the practice exams for Exam 1 and Exam 2

Homework Solutions

We have had three homework assignments since the last exam. Here are the assignments: And here are the solutions:

Moodle Quizzes

We have had five Moodle quizzes since the last exam:

Formula Sheet

Here is a formula sheet that includes all of the derivative formulas we have learned:

Homework Solutions

Here are all of the homework assignments from this semester: and here are the solutions:

Practice Problems

Here are all of the practice problems since the last exam, organized by topic:

Moodle Quizzes

Here are Moodle Quizzes 5 through 9:

Exam 1 and Before

Practice Exam Problems & Solutions

Here are the practice problems for Exam 1: Here are the solutions:

Chain Rule Practice Problems

Here are some practice problems on using the Chain Rule to find derivative formulas. The problems are from the textbook: You can find the answers in the back of the book.

Related Rates Practice Problems

Here are some practice problems on related rates:

Practice Problems

Here are some practice problems on derivatives and the power rule:

Practice Problems: Limits

Here are some practice problems on limits. The answers are listed on the second page:

Notes and Practice Problems: Linear Functions

Since they aren't covered very well in the textbook, I have written up some lecture notes on linear functions: In addition, here are some practice problems on linear functions. The answers are listed at the end:

Textbook

The textbook is Single Variable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, 4th ed., by James Stewart. This book is currently selling on Amazon for $156 (or $85 used), and is also available at the campus bookstore.

Calculator

You will need a graphing calculator such as the Texas Instruments TI–83 or TI–84. Used TI–83's are available on Amazon starting at $53.

Schedule

Date        Class Homework Due
Jan. 30 Introduction, Variables, Functions —
Feb. 1 Linear Functions, Rate of Change —
Feb. 3 — Homework 1
Feb. 6 Limits Moodle Quiz 1
Feb. 8 The Derivative —
Feb. 10 — Homework 2
Feb. 13 Derivatives Moodle Quiz 2
Feb. 15 Derivative Rules —
Feb. 17 — Homework 3
Feb. 20 Product Rule and Chain Rule Moodle Quiz 3
Feb. 22 Related Rates —
Feb. 22 — Homework 4
Feb. 27 Derivative Algorithm Moodle Quiz 4
Feb. 29 Review —
March 2 Exam 1 —
March 5 Derivatives of Trig Functions —
March 7 Logarithms —
March 9 — Homework 5
March. 12 Exponential Growth Moodle Quiz 5
March 14 Exponential Growth —
March 16 — Homework 6
March 19 Derivative Algorithm Moodle Quiz 6
March 21 Second Derivative —
March 23 — Homework 7
March. 26 Graphing Functions Moodle Quiz 7
March 28 Optimization —
March 30 — Homework 8
April 9 One-Sided Limits and Continuity —
April 11 Continuity and Asymptotes Moodle Quiz 8
April 13 — Homework 9
April 16 Antiderivatives Moodle Quiz 9
April 18 Review —
April 20 Exam 2 —
April 23 Differentials —
April 25 Integration —
April 27 — Homework 10
April 30 Advising Day (No Class) —
May 2 Integration Moodle Quiz 10
May 4 — Homework 11
May 7 Integration Moodle Quiz 11
May 9 Integration —
May 11 — Homework 12
May 14 Area and Volume Moodle Quiz 12
May 16 Review —
May 21 Final Exam —

Course Policies

Introduction

This course is an introduction to the basic ideas of differentiation and integration of functions, as well as the interplay between these concepts. The course will also solidify and expand your algebra skills, and should clarify and deepen your understanding of trigonometry, exponentiation, and logarithms. Math 141 is designed for students with no prior Calculus experience, though in practice some students in the course may have seen some calculus in their last year of high school.

Prerequisites

You must have a solid foundation in algebra and geometry, as well as some familiarity with trigonometry and logarithms. Please come talk to me if you are unsure whether this is the right course for you.

Computational Problems

Computation is an important component of mathematics, and is a key part of any calculus course. I will often recommend practice problems from the textbook, and you are strongly advised to try at least some of these problems. To make sure your computational skills are progressing, I will assign a short Moodle quiz each week consisting of a few relatively straightforward computational problems.

Written Homework

There will be a weekly homework assignment consisting of a few longer problems, with an emphasis on the conceptual side of calculus. You are encouraged to work with other students in solving the homework problems, but you should write your own solutions, and you must acknowledge anyone that you work with. Your solutions should be written clearly and in complete sentences, with enough detail that another student in the class would be able to follow your reasoning.

Exams and Grading

The grade will be based on the written homework assignments, the Moodle assignments, and three exams:

Exam 1 20%
Exam 2 25%
Final Exam 30%
Written Homework 20%
Moodle Quizzes 5%

The exams are two hours long, and are tentatively scheduled for March 2, April 20, and May 21. The first two exams are on Fridays, and you can take the exam any time that day.

Textbook

The textbook is Single Variable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, 4th ed., by James Stewart. We will cover most of the material in Chapters 1–4, as well as the first half of Chapter 5. You should read the relevant section of the text before we cover the material in class, and then again while doing the homework.

Feedback

Do you have any suggestions for the class? Let me know by using the following feedback form!

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