Introduction January 3, 2008
Posted by meyerj5 in Education.add a comment
Hello Calculus students. Welcome to the online portion of this class. As most of you are aware, we will be using this site and a few others to help with your understanding of Calculus. Feel free to browse the sites listed on the side. There are some great resources for homework help and AP testing guides. Let me know if there is something that you would like me to add. Comments are also welcome.
Also note that all websites pertaining to Web Assignments will have links on the side to make it easier to access them.
Video Clip January 3, 2008
Posted by meyerj5 in Education.add a comment
Here’s a fun clip that I found a while back.
More from the Klein Four at http://www.kleinfour.com/
Web Assignment 1 January 3, 2008
Posted by meyerj5 in Education.add a comment
After viewing the video in your groups go to http://www.kleinfour.com/ or the link 1. Klien Four Homepage. When you get there click on “The Music” and then “Song Lyrics.” Using the lyrics find some concepts that you would like to know more about. Then pick two lines to research as a group. You will also need to present them to the rest of the class.
Also you will need to explain the pun in relation to the song. How are they referring to it in the song and what does it really mean?
We will be covering most of these topics throughout the year. If we don’t cover them it is likely that you will when you take the next college math course.
Web Assignment 2 January 3, 2008
Posted by meyerj5 in Education.add a comment
We will be partaking in the Calc Problem of the Week created by Kentridge High School at http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/pcpow/ or click on 2. Calc Problem of the Week. Once there, click on “Calculus Question” in the green bubble and read the question. Then answer all the questions listed.
You may work individually or as a group on this problem. After all submissions have been entered, we will discuss it later as a class.
Web Assignment 3 January 2, 2008
Posted by meyerj5 in Education.Tags: Education
add a comment
Click on 3. Calculus Applets or go to http://www.ies.co.jp/math/java/calc/index.html and click on “Average Rate of Change and Derivatives.” Read the example and then answer the question by using the tool. Play with it for a bit so you know how it works. Then answer the following questions:
1. When we make h smaller, what does (f(a+h)-f(a))/h approach when y=x^1/2? Is this answer different than the one asked in the example? Why or why not?
2. Does it matter if (f(a+h)-f(a))/h is negative? What does (f(a+h)-f(a))/h approach then? Explain.
3. Pick one function and make a graph of the values of h and a. ( h=y and a=x type graph) Plot the points on the graph and then explain what happened to both when the values were large verses small.
After you finish that hit the back button, 3. Calculus Applets or go to http://www.ies.co.jp/math/java/calc/index.html again. Then click on “Surfing (Derivatives.)” While moving the red dot under the surfer’s feet watch the green bar and what happens to it. Do you notice any similarities to the previous graph?
Next, click on the Trace Box and then move the red dot along the line again. Watch what happens under the surfer. Note: You may have to trace the line a couple times to see what happens under the surfer clearly.
1. Tell me what you think is happening.
2. What do you think it means?
3. Is there a correlation between this and the previous problem?
This is an individual assignment. However, we will discuss it later in our groups and as a class, so don’t panic. After you have completed this, please turn it in at the end of class. If you finish early feel free to check out the other fun examples on that page or to get a head start on the homework for tonight.
Web Assignment 4 December 27, 2007
Posted by meyerj5 in Education.add a comment
We have now completed a thorough chapter about derivatives. Now we will be getting into their uses. Click 4. Flowing Through Mathematics or go to http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=16. When you get to “Flowing through Mathematics,” you should see a tube full of water, some buttons to make adjustments and a graph.
First read the Instructions by pressing the plus sign next to “Instructions.” Now, for the first time, just click “Start” and watch what happens. Next, change the Diameter by using the arrows under “Adjust Diameter,” then click “Start” again and see what happens. This way you can compare graphs with different diameters. However you can not compare height of water verses volume in the same graph, you will have to do that on your own.
Second, click on the plus sign next to “Exploration” and answer the 7 questions listed there. After you finish those, then finish with the following graph.
Pick a Diameter to test. Then run the test while measuring the height till the end. Using the “Enter a Time” and “Enter a Height” to get a good list of data points to graph on your paper. Then do it again with the same Diameter but while measuring the volume. Then get a good set of points to graph on a different graph. Then using the points and best-fit curve, compare the height and volume at the same time. Then make a new graph with height and volume. What do you notice about this graph? Explain. Also tell me if there is anything that you figured out while doing this.
