Test #4 preliminary info

Test #4 covers sections 4.1, 4.3-4.5 and will have approximately 20 questions.  Most of the questions will be multiple choice and the rest will be numerical response (not traditional free response).  The numerical response questions are like multiple choice w/o the choices.  Okay, that sounds a bit evil when I put it in writing.  A good example would be 1998 #2 on page 5 of your test review packet.  You would answer that question with the correct numerical value, but you would not have the five answer choices given to you.  The points earned for each question will be "all or nothing."

I'm making sure your test covers all the right topics and will make you think about all the right concepts to continue to do well in the course and on the AP exam ... are you working on your current homework? 

Some random thoughts

I can't believe that next week is already November! In fact, here are some interesting statistics as we near the end of the fall semester:

28 days of class before final exams on December 14-17
11 days of new material (9 sections in the text)
3 tests (plus the final exam)

For those who like to plan ahead, I will be providing you with a packet of final exam review material before the Thanksgiving break.

Section 4.5 continued on Monday

I will need to take part of class on Monday to finish topics in 4.5 (namely, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus - Part 2).  Be sure to work on the 4.4 and 4.5 homework on pages 2 and 3 in the packet you recently received.  These problems will be due by the end of class on Monday.

In the mean time, your textbook has good info on pages 387-388 and here's a lecture from MIT about this topic if you are interested:

Progress reports and looking ahead

Be sure to return progress reports on Monday with a parent signature.  This grading period is only five weeks and ends on Friday, November 5 after Test #4 (sections 4.1, 4.3-4.5) on Thursday, November 4.

Although we will be finishing section 4.1 quickly on Monday before we start section 4.3, you should read section 4.1 in your text and start the homework.  By reversing the basic differentiation rules, you can work on p. 352 #1-34.  For some problems, you will want to rewrite the function before trying to antidifferentiate.

Have a good weekend.

Extra AP Free Response Samples

There are two extra AP Free Response samples in your Test #3 review packet. 
Here are links to the scoring guides (just scroll down to the appropriate question).

2007 AB #6:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap07_calculus_ab_sgs_final.pdf

2009 AB/BC (Form B): #5
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap09_calculus_bc_form_b_sgs.pdf

2005 AB #4

In some periods today we were not able to finish the last AP free response example.  Here is the link to the solution to the 2005 AB exam.  Just scroll down to question #4 and remember to skip part c.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap05_sg_calculus_ab_46569.pdf

AP Free Reponse 2005 #4

You may recall that part (c) has not been given to you at this time because it involves integration (covered in chapter 4).  However, part (d) refers to part (c).  Here's what you need to know in order to answer part (d): g'(x) = f(x).  Everyone should be trying this problem (it's on the handout you received last Wednesday) and groups 1 and 2 will be presenting solutions to it tomorrow morning.

Make-up Test #2 Graded

For the many of you who took a make-up version of Test #2 due to being on one of the two Yellowstone trips, all tests have now been graded.

Please note that if anyone wants to move to AP Calc AB, the deadline to move is Thursday, October 14.  You need to talk to me and your counselor on Thursday!

3-7 Video Lesson

Everyone needs to view this video from section 3-7 about optimization.  The handout for the section is available at http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/3-7_notes.pdf or you can pickup a copy during class on Wednesday.  After viewing the video, work on the homework page 317 #3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 25, 27.  This material will not be covered during class, but #11, 15, 25, 27 will be presented by groups during class on Friday, October 15.

3-3 and 3-4 Group Solutions

As you check through these solutions, please note that in some cases I have written a note next to a problem that refers you to view more accurate solutions from a different period.

Period 1: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/3-3_3-4_p1_2010.PDF
Period 2: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/3-3_3-4_p2_2010.PDF
Period 3: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/3-3_3-4_p3_2010.PDF
Period 4: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/3-3_3-4_p4_2010.PDF

On Monday, we will be exploring ways in which the second derivative can be used to describe the behavior of a function.  It is imperative that you complete the 3-3 and 3-4 homework before Monday as we will use these techniques again and build upon them.  October homework calendar: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/apcalendars/ap1010.pdf

Consider posting your homework questions or help others on the chapter 3 wall:
http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/apcalcbc-chpt3-2010

Have a nice weekend!

3-4 Video Lesson

Video lesson on 3-4 increasing and decreasing functions and finding local extrema ...

3-3 Video Lesson

3-3 Maximum and Minimum Values video ...

Let's try using wallwisher.com for chapter 3 questions

As you work on chapter 3 homework, please post questions you have about topics or particular homework problems and responses to others questions. I am offering 2 extra points on the second grading period for the first "sticky" that you add. This can be a question or a response to another student's question. It could also be an observation about a chapter 3 topic. You can either create a wallwisher account, use your google account, or post anonymously. If your username is not your name or is you post anonoymously, please provide your first name, last initial, and period within your post.

Direct link: http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/apcalcbc-chpt3-2010

First Grading Period Grades

In response to the overwhelming requests from students to increase their first grading period grades, please re-read the course guide. In particular: "In fairness to all, no extra credit will be offered on an individual basis. This includes extra points to raise a semester average that is close to the next letter grade – please, don’t ask! For example, a score must be greater than or equal to 89.5 to round to a 90."

I believe it is unfair to give a few tenths of a point to a select group of students. Additionally, if I were to give a a few tenths of a point to everyone so that those who are close to 89.5 would have an A, then a new group of students would be close to an 89.5 and ask for a few tenths of a point ... it would never end.

I trust that everyone understands that this policy is based on my best attempt at grading fairness. The grade you have earned is the grade you will receive.

Your first grading period grade is 1/4 of your semester average. At this point, everyone has the opportunity to increase their average.

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this matter.

Progress Reports Due Tuesday

Don't forget to return signed progress reports on Tuesday. The grades for the first grading period that ended on October 1 will be closed at 3 pm on Tuesday.

3-2 Video Lesson

Here's the section 3-2 lesson from today on Indeterminate Forms and L'Hopital's Rule: http://got.im/tN2

L'Hopital's Rule?

Here's a link to a paper written by Judy Broadwin from Baruch College in NY about L'Hopital's supposed rule...

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_calc_LHospital_final.rev2.pdf

The link to the 3-2 video lesson will be available tonight.

3-1 Video Lesson

Video lesson for 3-1: http://got.im/Awh. We did not finish the last slide. Note that finding a "linear approximation" means to find the tangent line at the point specified and use it to approximate a height. For example, the linear approximation of y = sin(x) at x = 0 is y = x. We could use this line to approximate sin(x). For example, sin(0.2) is approximately 0.2.

Have a good weekend!

Test #2 Graded

I have posted grades for test #2. You will see that the curve has already been added (it is 1/3 of the points lost). You will receive a progress report this morning that must be signed and returned by next Tuesday to receive 2 points extra credit. Test corrections must be completed by next Thursday in order to keep the curve. If you do not complete the test corrections, then I will remove the curve and have your grade changed for the first grading period.

Overall, the results on the test were quite mixed. 36% earned an A and 26% earned a B before the curve (5% were in the 100-103 range). However, 20% earned an F before the curve (5% were in the 0-50 range).

On a positive note, I am very impressed with those students who did well on this test. It was not an easy test. A high score on this test represents a combination of strong effort and the ability to learn and think critically.

In the mean time, we must move forward. We will be starting Chapter 3 during class today.