Grading Test #2

Grading these tests is a slow process. I have only completed about 25%, but I will keep plugging away at it and see if I can finish tonight. If I must stop without finishing, I'll post here.

I just graded a perfect paper (including bonus) ... that's a 103! This student also knew that sin(t)csc(t) = 1. I've posted this grade in Gradespeed for that student. All other grades will be posted when all the tests are finished.

Simplify, Oh My!

Grading tests ...
Doesn't anyone know that sin(t)csc(t) = sin(t)/sin(t) = 1 ?!?!
Wasn't it strange such a messy problem was in the "Basic Level" section?
I'm still holding out hope that someone figured this one out.

Test #2 Review

It was a busy morning reviewing for the test tomorrow. Excellent, relavent questions were asked each period. I hope any other time spent reviewing is productive. Consistent and strong effort in this class will pay off!

See you tomorrow for the test!

More Test #2 Suggestions

A few more suggestions:
- The term "twice-differentiable" means that the 1st and 2nd derivatives of a function exist
- Know the shape of the graph of y = arctan(x) and know arctan(0)
- Know sin(0) and cos(0)
- Know e^0
- Quadratic formula may be needed
- log(x) means log base 10

Test format:
5 FR x 2 points = 10 points (basic)
6 FR x 4 points = 24 points (intermediate)
7 FR x 6 points = 42 points (advanced)
6 MC x 4 points = 24 points (mixture of difficulty levels)

All of your answers must be written on a cover sheet.
Work will be shown on the test itself.

You can stop by my room before 1st period on Wednesday for review (arrive no earlier than 7:10 AM please).

Derivative Quiz

Grades have been posted for the derivative quiz on Tuesday. Most of you did well. The average was 95%.

I cannot emphasize enough that simply having the basic derivative rules committed to memory is not enough! You will need to combine rules on the test as we have seen in class examples and homework. Consistently finding derivatives correctly and quickly requires lots of practice!

Writing Test #2

Some random thoughts about test #2:
- You will not need any trig identities (don't worry, we'll use plenty later)
- There will be about 23 questions (about 6 multiple choice worth about 30%)
- Partial credit may be given for free response, but not for multiple choice
- Know all the basic differentiation rules!
- Many questions will involve the chain rule with other rules
- Velocity is derivative of position and acceleration is derivative of velocity
- Almost 1/2 of the test questions have format: given f(x), find f '(x)
- Nearly everything on the test outline is covered (http://bit.ly/cgeYV8)
- No questions requiring "two special trig limits" on test outline
- You may need to find 2nd derivative implicitly, but not as messy as 2.8 #25
- There will be a cover sheet on which you will write all final answers

Remember to have your 2.8-2.9 solutions prepared and be ready for the derivative rule quiz!

Test #2 Sample Answers

Need help?
Tue or Wed during lunch
Wed 7:10 - 7:30 AM
Wed during class

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test2sample-solutions.pdf

UPDATE: the multiple choice answers were scrambled incorrectly until I fixed them at about 5 pm

2-9 Mean Value Theorem

Class lesson for section 2-9:
http://www.schooltube.com/video/f76c71d6c50a2799b9f6/29-Mean-Value-Theorem


Topic not covered during class (increasing and decreasing functions):
http://www.schooltube.com/video/6c0b24c7819cab5e36b2/29-Increasing-Decreasing
This is just a preview of ideas that will be fully developed in chapter 3.

Follow-up to today's lesson

Since we did not have enough time in class to look at all the examples I had planned today, I have created a document that shows how to solve those problems.

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/2-8-class-solutions.pdf

2-8 Inverse Trig Functions

Here's the lesson from today for Yellowstone students.

Keep working on the homework!

http://www.schooltube.com/video/39379c6f2d00510d9278/28-Differentiate-Inverse-Trig-Functions

2-8 Implicit Differentiation

Here's the lesson from today for Yellowstone students. Tomorrow we will develop differentiation rules for the inverse trig functions.

http://www.schooltube.com/video/88d5b164c9017ac18215/28-Implicit-Differentiation

Quiz Next Tuesday (9/28)

Please keep working on the current homework assignments. The differentiation rules do take a lot of practice! As you have seen with class examples and in the homework, you'll need to combine rules together (for example, trig with product rule with chain rule). However, if you don't know the basic rules, you won't be able to handle the more difficult problems! The quiz next Tuesday is your opportunity to make sure you know the basic rules. I have updated the quiz to include the two versions of the limit definition of the derivative. Online you will find a copy of exactly what the quiz will look like and the answers. When you take this quiz next Tuesday, you will be given about 5 minutes to complete it.

www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/

2-7 Lesson

Here is the lesson from today for Yellowstone students (or anyone else absent). Sorry, the audio did not work well, but maybe you can follow along with the notes. I'm getting a new microphone tonight.

http://www.schooltube.com/video/7fe86b39bf13af4d9610/27-Exponential-and-Log-Derivatives

Grades

Please check your grades using Gradespeed. The test #1 curve has been added if you submitted completed test corrections. So many of you submitted reflective, thoughtful corrections. Nice work! After working with many of you this week during lunch and hearing your questions about the test, I decided to increase the curve SLIGHTLY. It is 2/5 of the points lost instead of 1/3 as announced last week. Also, the quiz today was completed well by most students (the mean was 90%). I was pleased with the discussions I heard during the group quiz - sharing your ideas about how to solve a problem is very important.

I will be issuing progress reports early next week. Some of you will need to make a decision about your commitment to this course. I truly want all of you to be successful in this class. Although it is difficult to determine an exact cut-off point, I would be especially concerned if your current average is < 80 and/or if your score on the first test with the curve is < 80. Remember the suggestions you read in the course guide ... have you been doing everything you can to succeed in this course?

• Pay close attention during class, ask questions, and share your ideas
• Leave class each day with detailed notes
• Avoid distractions during class such as studying for another course or sleeping
• Complete all assigned homework and get help with any problems you do not understand
• Begin reviewing days before each test
• Attend class regularly and arrive on-time

There will be about 130 additional points (including one quiz and one test) before the grading period ends on October 1.

Be sure to spend time completing the recent 2.3-2.5 homework. Please attend lunch tutorials early next week if you have any questions. Among other things, we will learn how to differentiate trig, inverse trig, exponential, and log functions next week. Enjoy the three day weekend!

2-5 Video

In most of my classes this morning, we did not have enough time to examine derivatives of inverse functions. Here's a link to a short video I made to help you with this. Remember that tomorrow your groups needs to be prepared to share solutions from 2.3-2.5 and there is a quiz covering 2.1-2.2.

Video: http://www.schooltube.com/video/8c0cdb078d888a877625/25-Inverses

Quiz #2

The quiz on Thursday will have six multiple choice questions pertaining to sections 2.1-2.2 in your textbook. The best way to be prepared for the quiz is to have completed the 2.1 and 2.2 homework from last week. You can find a detailed list of topics on slide 2 of the 2.5 notes for Wednesday:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/2-5_notes.pdf.

One last note just for the students who read this blog ... it is possible that this quiz will not be administered in a traditional way. As long as you are prepared, this should work to your advantage. Sorry ... I can't say anything more right now!

Looking Forward...

I want to thank everyone for the effort you have been putting into AP Calc BC. It's hard to believe we start the fourth week next week!

Reminders: finish the 2.1 and 2.2 HW on your assignment calendar. Group solutions have been scanned and are available in the notes section of my website. Also, begin work on test corrections. If you have any questions, please see me during lunch early next week.

Next week is another short, four day week. However, it will be packed with lots of derivative-related topics (sections 2.3-2.5). Plan for a short quiz on Thursday over sections 2.1 and 2.2.

Have a great weekend!

Test #1 Results

I just posted the scores for test #1. As promised, the test was challenging. The results were very mixed ... 25% earned an A or B while about 50% earned an F. Your score in gradespeed is your raw score. After analyzing the results, I have determined that a curve is appropriate (i.e., a number of the multiple choice questions were very challenging and had a lower percentage of students get them correct). I will share details tomorrow about what students will need to do to “earn” the curve.

I must say “nice work” to students who did well on this first test. For others, maybe this was just a rude awaking after the summer and after precalculus. As I have stated before, this course will challenge students unlike any other math class. Is it possible that some students did not believe me?

If it’s any consolation, my students from last year had similar results on this first test and they earned the best scores on the AP exam I have ever had.

Test #1 Sample

I am sure by now students have tried the sample test questions. I just posted answers to these questions. I would have liked to double-check these answers, but instead I need to work on writing your actual test. I trust that students will let me know if they disagree with an answer.

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test1_sample_answers_2010.pdf

Test #1 on Thursday, September 9

I am confident that my mesmeric lecture about tangent lines on Friday has inspired you to work on the 2.1 textbook homework. Remember that you should also work on reviewing for Test #1. I would recommend you do the following (in the order given) to prepare for this test:
1. skim through the test outline and highlight topics you know you need to work on
2. complete textbook homework assigned during the past two weeks from 1.2-1.5
3. attempt all problems on the sample test
4. look over notes and examples from class
5. get your questions answered - either on topics or problems you have tried
6. attempt the extra practice problems at the end of chapter 1 as needed

I want everyone to start the year with a test grade that they are pleased with. You should be aiming for work that is worthy of a "5" every day in this class. I will be available during lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday and we will review during class on Wednesday. The quality of our review time is directly proportional to your willingness to attempt review problems before class and to ask questions.

Good luck in your preparation for this test. I want you to complete this test knowing that you have done the best you can possibly do. The excuse for a low score of "I didn't really study as much as I should have for this first test" is simply not acceptable.

I am writing some of your test questions now. Check back here later in the weekend - I'll try to post some study suggestions.