6.1 assignment solutions

Although I checked your solutions, please examine these solutions carefully in case I overlooked something minor ...

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/6-1_solutions.pdf

Test #5

Test #5 scores have been posted.  Many of you did very well on this test - nice work!

After a very small curve was applied (10% of points lost), the mean score was 90.3 and there were over 85% with scores of 80 or above.

Prepare groups solutions for Fri, Nov 30

1 – 5.1 #22                        

2 – 5.1 #25                             

3 – 5.2 #27ab

4 – 5.2 #27cd

5 – 5.2 #27ef 

6 – 5.2 #41

7 – 5.2 #18ab

8 – 5.2 #24b, 26a

Test #5 info

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/test5_info.pdf

Test #5 sample answers

The answers to the sample test #5 questions for each period can be found here:
http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/index.htm

4-6 group solutions

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/4-6-2012.pdf

4.6 group solutions

The solutions turned in today will either be posted later this week or share in-class.  Some groups did not finish and there are some problems with errors that need to be corrected.

Keep working on the 4.6 assignment:

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/apcalendars/ap1211.pdf

Solution to recent assignment

Here are solutions to pages 5-9 in the 4-4 and 4-5 handout we are currently using:

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/chpt4-p5-9.pdf

Please be sure to try all of the free response sample questions on page 11 in the handout before class on Tuesday.  Your groups will be asked to share solutions at the beginning of class and then we will discuss these problems in detail...

Group 1 - 2004 #1a

Group 2 - 2004 #1b

Group 3 - 2004 #1c

Group 4 - 2004 #1d

Group 5 - 2006 #4a

Group 6 - 2006 #4b

Group 7 - 2006 #4c

Group 8 - 2007 #4d

On Wednesday, our class time will be open for general Q&A before the test on Thursday.  The test on Thursday will consists of ~15 multiple choice questions and about ~5 free response.  Each of the ~20 questions will be worth the same number of points.  Graphing calculators will be needed for this test (i.e., for MATH-9).  You will use one of my classroom calculators w/ the memory cleared.

You are also encouraged to attend lunch tutorials on Tuesday and/or Wednesday as quite a few people did today.

By Monday

• Finish 4.4-4.5 assignment on pages 2-3 in the current packet. Check answers to the odd questions in the back of your text.
• Finish test #3 corrections if not completed on Friday.
• Try all of the sample AP questions on pages 5-9 in the current packet.  These questions will be our focus on Monday during class.  We're going to try using the new SMART Response system for you to submit your answers to these questions ...

Test #3

Test #3 grades have been posted online.  Tests will be returned on Monday and test corrections will be due on Friday by the end of lunch.  Please note that there will be lunch tutorials for AP Calc BC on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday only this week.  I have a meeting on Monday and Thursday is reserved for IB Math HL only.

4.1 Video Lecture

Please view the 4.1 video lecture before class on Friday, October 26:
http://bit.ly/Vg6ifq

Use the handout provided in class or it's available here:
http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/4-1_notes.pdf

October schedule

A few changes have been made to the October calendar:
http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/apcalendars/ap1210.pdf

Recent and upcoming topics

Group solutions from sections 3.3 and 3.4 shared today during class:
http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/3-3_3-4_2012.PDF

Please watch this 27 minute video lecture for last two examples found on 3.4 handout (we did not have enough time to finish these examples during class):
http://bit.ly/RU0Omb

Catch-up on 3.3 and 3.4 homework this weekend!  October assignment calendar:
http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/apcalendars/ap1210.pdf

Please schedule time to watch a 33 minute video lecture for section 3.7 before class next Wednesday, October 17:  http://bit.ly/o3ZDCR
The handout for 3.7 will be distributed during class on Monday and it is available here:
http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/3-7_notes.pdf

Test #2 graded

Test grades and curves have been posted online.  More details will be shared during class tomorrow, but here are some stats you might be interested in:

• 90 students took the test today and 5 students were absent (3 students on Yellowstone field trip)
• > 70% earned a raw score of 80 or higher
• > 50% earned a curved score of 90 or higher
• 9 students earned 100 or more points (including up to 3 point bonus)
• the curve is 20% of the points lost (average curve was ~3 points)
• mean was 85 before the curve and 88 with the curve

I am very pleased that many of you did well on this test.  You cannot fake understanding the topics on this test - if you did well, you understand the concepts and techniques.  Many of you did what was necessary to perform well on this test - I understand that this might have been many, many hours of homework and studying.  Thank you!

Your test will be returned tomorrow and test corrections should be started this weekend.  You will also receive your final progress report for the first grading period tomorrow.

Test #2 progress

Just an update ... I have 15 more tests to grade.  I will keep working on these and post grades sometime tonight.  With relatively few exceptions, the tests are looking good including some outstanding scores of 100+.

Chain rule, etc.

Group solutions from sections 2.3-2.5 and ~8 minute video about finding the derivative of inverse functions:

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/index.htm

Reminders...

There's a lot going on in BC during the next few days, so I thought I would summarize:

• Complete 2.1 homework from last Monday if you need to catch-up
• be sure to use the limit on p. 149 to find the slope or velocity 
• we did 2.1 #49 on Tuesday in section 2.2 on slide 10
• Complete 2.2 homework from last Tuesday if you need to catch-up
• be sure to use the limit definition of a derivative (not the power rule from section 2.3)
• Prepare your group solutions from 2.1 or 2.2 to share on Tuesday, September 18
• we will also discuss the last few slides from section 2.2
• Work on 2.3 homework
• you'll need to rewrite many of these problems before differentiating using the power rule ... for example
• #5 - move the x up to the numerator and express with a negative exponent
• #11 - express the root in exponential form
• #13 - distribute the x first
• #15 - divide each term by 2x first
• Watch the 2.4 video lecture before class on Wednesday, September 19
• http://bit.ly/pGQshy (~40 minutes)
• start the 2.4 homework
• A short quiz on sections 2.1 and 2.2 is tentatively planned for Thursday, September 20
• details will be provided later
• Complete Test #1 corrections by the end of lunch Thursday, September 20
• please stop by during lunch Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday for help
• at least one visit required if test score is less than 80 with the curve

Test #1

Grades have been updated for Test #1.  There was a curve of 15% of the points you lost that you will see in gradespeed.  This was a small curve with an average of 3.2 points/student added.  You should always check you scores in gradespeed and alert me to any potential errors.

We will have one more test this grading period worth 100 points on October 4 as well as about 50 points for quizzes, group solutions, etc.  This is in addition to the 145 point you have had the opportunity to earn so far.

If your average is below ~80 currently or at the end of the grading period, it will be best in most cases to move to AB.  If you struggled on this first test, please see me to discuss your progress and strategies for learning current topics leading up to the second test.

Dividing polynomials

You will need to use long division of polynomials to find slant asymptotes.

Khan Academy has math videos on nearly any math topic, including dividing polynomials:

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/polynomials/v/dividing-polynomials-with-remainders

Test #1 sample solutions

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/test1_sample_answers_2012.pdf

Tue: lunch tutorials
Wed: review during class and lunch tutorials
Thu: Test #1

Quiz #1

Your quizzes from Friday are graded.  However, the HISD virtual private network has been down this weekend and I am unable to enter your scores in Gradespeed.  I will enter scores Tuesday morning on campus and return the quizzes to you during class.  Many of you did well with 64% earning an A and 20% earning a B.  I'll have more to say about results during class.

If you were absent for the quiz, the make-up will be during lunch on Wednesday.  All students are welcome to tutorials on Tuesday during lunch.

We will be covering the topic of Continuity in section 1.4 ... you should read this section before class tomorrow.

Quiz on Friday

Here's an outline for the quiz this Friday.

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/notes/quiz1_outline.pdf

Some of these topics will be covered on Thursday during class.  I am available during lunch tutorials on Thursday to answer questions and we will have about 30 minutes during class on Friday for questions before the quiz.

Welcome!

The 2012-2013 school year starts on Monday, August 27 with advocacy at 7:40 AM.  I am excited to start the near year and look forward to meeting and working with everyone as we learn calculus!  

A few important items:

• You do not need to bring your textbook to class on the first day - it can usually be kept at home
• My room number is 184 in the new science building (map of the first floor) 
• Get a head start by reading the course guide

Enjoy the last few hours of your summer break!

AP Scores

I hope that all of my former AP Calculus BC students are enjoying the summer break!

I have received AP scores and I must say that I am very impressed overall.  If you check the links below, you will see that 92% earned a score of 3 or higher which is the third best ever during the 13 years I have taught BC.  Also, 66% earned a 5 (second highest ever) and the mean score was 4.3 (third highest ever).  

In short, many of you earned scores that represent that you worked hard this past year and that you understand calculus concepts.  If your score was lower than you had anticipated or hoped for, I am certain that the effort you had put forth will pay off in subsequent courses.

Once again, I would like to wish each of you the best in the future.

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/bc_results.pdf

http://home.comcast.net/~mazzoni_bhs/apcalc/ab_results.pdf

Thank you for working hard and making this a great year! 
Enjoy your summer!

One version of the free response exam was released and can be found here:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap2012_calculusbc_frq.pdf

I have posted solutions to these questions here:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/ap-solutions/2012-bc-fr.pdf

I would greatly appreciate hearing your comments or corrections.

Good luck Bellaire High School
AP Calculus BC Students!!!

Group solutions 9-5 and 11-2/11-3

Group solutions for 9-5: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/9-5.PDF

Group solutions for 11-2 and 11-3: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/11-2and11-3.PDF

8.8 group solutions

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/8-8-2012.pdf

AP Calculus mock exam

Who: AP Calculus BC students at BHS
What: Mock exam (all four sections)
Where: BHS Auditorium
When: Friday, April 27, 2012 from 7:40 AM to 12:00 PM
Why: To review for the AP exam and gain the experience of taking an exam before May 9

Review for the AP exam

As mentioned during class, the AP review packet you received before spring break contains plenty of sample multiple choice and free response questions (plus, more released free response questions are available online at apcentral.collegeboard.com).  Also, remember that your class notes, textbook, class tests (will be returned to you) are also excellent preparation resources.

However, if you are looking for a review book, I would recommend "Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam"  http://www.skylit.com/calculus/

8.5 Assignment solutions

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/8-5_hw.PDF

Test #8 grades posted

Test data:
96 took the test (7 absent)
A = 47%
B = 32%
C/D = 12%
F = 9%
Mean = 87
Median = 89
Mode = 94
100 or more = 10

The majority of you prepared well for this test - I am very pleased with how many people did so well on this test!  The questions were aligned with the questions we find on the AP exam and the scores are aligned to the results I normally see on the AP exam.  In the past, my students have performed very well on questions involving differential equation topics.  As we continue chapter 8 (polynomial approximations and series), you will be studying some of the most challenging material in the entire course.  If you pay attention during class, take notes, ask questions, complete homework, attend tutorials when needed, and study before tests, you will find that these challenging concepts are managable.  If you don't put forth a significant and constant effort, you will struggle with these topics.

Monday

Take time this weekend to catch-up on recent homework (all listed on the cover of the Chapter 7 packet). and prepare groups solutions to share on Monday.

Also, remember that test #7 corrections are due Monday by the end of lunch.

Calendars updated

The January and February calendars have been modified slightly:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/apcalendars/index.htm

Test #7 curve

The curve has been added in gradespeed - it is 40% of the points lost.  The average curve is 8.3 points per student.

Test corrections are due on Monday, January 30 by the end of lunch.  Lunch tutorials will be offered this Thursday and Friday if you have questions about the test (or current homework).

Test #7

I have posted raw scores for test #7 in gradespeed.  The results were mixed with approximately 30% A, 30% B, and 25% F.  The median was 83, mode was 90, and 3 students earned a 100. 

I am looking at a few options for the curve and will decide that tomorrow.  I also deducted a maximum of 7 points per question (there were 13 questions).

Remember that the 16 students who missed the test need to take a make-up a Wednesday during lunch.

Friday, January 20 lesson

Since 45 out of 103 of you were absent today, I recorded the lesson during one period.  I'm sorry that this video has low production value, but it will be better than nothing.

If you were not in class, please watch this before Monday so that you will understand the new material on Monday.  http://bit.ly/wR8hJS

You can pickup the 34 page handout for this chapter on Monday.

Solutions to test #7 sample questions

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test7-sample-answers.pdf

Also, be sure to try to extra practice problems from your textbook indicated on the test outline:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test7_outline.pdf

Lunch tutorials today and Wednesday!

January calendar update

Slight revision... section 6.6 will be covered on Jan 11 and Jan 12.
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/apcalendars/ap1201.pdf

6-4 lesson

Be sure to view the video lecture for section 6-4 before class on Wednesday:
http://got.im/LPs

You'll notice that the lecture is about 40 minutes followed by a display of the homework ... this was originally created to be shown during class on a day that I was was absent.