Calculus with Mr. Martinek

Link to Calculus Guidelines and Parent Letter 2025-2026

Class Information:

At Gilbert, the version of AP Calculus we teach is called AP Calculus AB.  The AB basically means that we study the topics in a typical Calculus I class at college and some of the topics in a Calculus II class at college.  The BC version that is taught at some other schools is meant to be equivalent to Calculus I and Calculus II at the college level.  Our topics of study include limits, derivatives, integrals, and differential equations.  For derivatives, we spend a lot of time making connections between derivatives and graphs as well as other applications such as optimization.  For integrals, we study many applications including the Disk, Washer, and Shell methods for finding the volume of solids of revolution.  Our study of differential equations could be considered an introduction as there are entire semester Calculus courses devoted to differential equations and we just study some of the main ideas involved.

Chapters Covered:

We use the 11th Edition of Larson Calculus of a Single Variable AP Edition.  

Chapter P: Preparation for Calculus

Chapter 1: Limits and Their Properties

Chapter 2: Differentiation

Chapter 3: Applications of Derivatives

Chapter 4: Integration

Chapter 5: Logarithmic, Exponential, and Other Transcendental Functions

Chapter 6: Differential Equations

Chapter 7: Applications of Integration (as time permits)

Chapter 8: Integration Techniques and Improper Integrals (as time permits)

I post the schedule as it is created so there will be times when the schedule for a future week is posted before it has been handed out to students.  Click on the link to view a pdf version of the paper copies that are handed out to students.

8-25 to 8-29

9-2 to 9-12

When you click on a link, you may be asked if you really want to be redirected from this website.

Website Links from your Calculus Book:

Webassign: Webassign requires a username and password.  It is the site where students can access an ebook.  I may assign electronic homework assignments through it for some lessons.  WebAssign also has many study resources and videos.

CalcView: CalcView shows video solutions to red-numbered problems in the textbook.  Students can also access these videos by using the QR code that is next to the red-numbered problem in the book.  The videos were created by the textbook company.

CalcChat: The answers to odd-numbered problems are in the back of the back.  CalcChat takes this a step further by showing some of the key steps in the solution process.  CalcChat also offers free assistance for questions outside of the school day.  See the website for more details.

Larson Calculus: This website has many resources including videos, printable graphs for some of the problems, and solutions to the AP Exam Prep problems found at the end of each chapter.

Calculus Websites:

AP Calculus from Khan Academy: Khan Academy has videos for many of the concepts we learn about in AP Calculus.

AP Website from College Board for Students

AP Calculus AB from College Board for Students

Mr. Martinek's  Websites:

Advanced Math with Mr. Martinek

Calculus with Mr. Martinek

Gilbert Websites:

Gilbert Homepage

GHS Infinite Campus

What type of calculator should I buy? 

A scientific calculator will be used in most math classes on a regular basis.  The scientific calculator should include trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, and tangent) that will be utilized in Geometry classes and beyond.   The TI-30 XIIS has been a great scientific calculator for many math students.  

Each math teacher may have a classroom set of TI-30 XIIS calculators students may borrow during class if available.

A graphing calculator is NOT required for any class.  Graphing websites/apps such as Desmos and Geogebra may be accessed using school issued Chromebooks.  Math teachers may utilize GoGuardian to monitor student Chromebooks when they are asked to use Desmos, Geogebra, or other tools.  The math department also has a classroom set of TI-84 graphing calculators that may be used for certain classroom activities.  The abillity to monitor student Chromebooks with GoGuardian (or a similar program) may be required to allow a student to use a Chromebook on a quiz or test.

Calculus: College Board first allowed the use of Desmos on the 2025 AP Calculus Exam.  Teachers at Gilbert can also now utilize GoGuardian to monitor student Chromebooks.  Therefore graphing calculators are now longer required for Caclulus starting with the 2025-2026 school year.  If students already have a graphing calculator, it may be helpful for homework assignments and tests.  A scientific calculator may be helpful for many assignments. 

Statistics and Math Applications: A scientific calculator is needed.  A graphing calculator is not required, but may be helpful for some topics in Statistics and Math Applications.

For Your Information: TI Graphing Calculator Types

What are the differences between TI-83 and TI-84 calculators?

The TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Silver, and TI-84 Color versions seem to be the "easiest" graphing calculators for most students to use.  The TI-83 and TI-84 are very similar to one another with the TI-84 being an updated version of the TI-83.  There are also numerous versions of the TI-84 calculator including Plus version, Silver edition, and color editions.  

The "Plus" part of the calculator name indicates that it can be updated by connecting to another calculator or a computer to update operating systems.  The "Silver Version" has slightly more memory making it possible to run a few more special apps than the TI-84 Plus.  However, the TI-84 has been able to do all of the functions and applications we have done in class in previous years.  The TI-84s I have seen can be updated while the TI-83s cannot be updated.  The TI-83s have been able to do all of the functions we have done in the past although some of the key press steps are slightly different.  Students have used each type of TI-84 with similar success levels in class as it really is a matter of what each student becomes comfortable with and personal preference rather than one version being "better" than the others.

There are also color screen versions available for the TI-84.  The color screens can make it easier to distinguish multiple graphs from each other shown on the same screen.  The color screen version calculator also has a battery similar to a cell phone battery which needs to be charged periodically.  This battery can eventually wear out just like any other battery.  The non-color TI-84 calculators use 4 AAA batteries, which are less expensive to replace.

Many students have done very well in Calculus using a TI-84 platform calculator.

Class calculator demonstrations in Advanced Math will usually take place on a TI-84.

What is a TI-89?

The TI-89 is a CAS system meaning it can do some algebraic manipulation.  Because of this, the TI-89 cannot be used on the ACT test.  A TI-84 graphing calculator is a better fit for most high school students than a TI-89 calculator.

Over the years, I have seen less and less high school students using the TI-89.  I believe this is because the TI-84 platform is much more user friendly for many high school students.  Additionally, capabilities have been added to the TI-84 platform we use in AP Calculus which make it very comparable to the TI-89 in terms of mathematical operation capabilities utilized in high school classes. 

The capabilities of the TI-89 would be similar to those of the TI-92 or TI-Voyage 200.  The TI-92 and TI-Voyage 200 have a full keyboard and larger screen.

Some college professors may let students use a TI-89 for class while others may not. 

What are the TI-Nspire calculators?

While the TI-Nspire calculators are TI's "newest calculators", they have been around for more than 10 years.   There are a few different versions of the TI-Nspire calculator and any of them would work for any of our classes.  However, since we do not have a classroom set of these calculators--keystrokes used in class may not be identical.  Many students have found the TI-Nspire calculators to be more difficult to use than the TI-84 calculators.  The Nspire versions do not seem to be as widely used as the TI-84s.

For more information on the TI Graphing Calculus, please visit: 

https://education.ti.com/en/products?category=graphing-calculators

Hi, I'm Mr. Martinek.  I started teaching high school mathematics at Gilbert during the 2006-2007 school year.  Prior to teaching at Gilbert, I taught for three years at South Tama High School.  I earned a master's degree from the University of Northern Iowa for mathematics with a secondary teaching emphasis at the end of the 2006 summer.  I also received my undergraduate degree from UNI in mathematics teaching during the spring of 2003.  I graduated from Crestwood High School (in Cresco, which is in northeast Iowa) in May of 1999.

Now that you know a little bit about my professional and educational background, let me tell you a little about my personal background.  I grew up on a farm near Cresco (in northeast Iowa) and was the youngest of eight children.  I have ten nephews and four nieces.  Family has always been important to me and I enjoy our large family get-togethers at holidays.

I was married in 2006 to Mrs. Martinek (Kirsten).  We enjoy spending time together and seem to be able to make each other laugh at about anything.  She especially enjoys my mathematical jokes and puns.  (Not really, but she is kind enough to fake interest in them.)  Our oldest son, Jordan, was born in 2009.  Our youngest son, Allen, was born in 2011.  We try to enjoy the time we have together.