9/27 - 10/15: Introduction to Calculus and The Derivative

We're starting our study of calculus and the derivative and seeing how the idea of instantaneous rate of change can be formally and precisely measured.

Thursday, 9/27 - we are starting our study of calculus and the derivative. We found an instantaneous rate of change in a specific problem. Here are the slides from class.

Friday, 9/28 - we summarized what we did with Ms. Yang's running problem into formal math vocabulary terms, especially considering secant lines and tangent lines. Here are the slides from class. Your HW is this worksheet from class with notes, on the back, the More Practice section, #1, 2, 18. You also have a mind map, due Monday.

Monday, 10/1 - we found gradient functions (derivatives) from the limit definition, called using first principles. Here are the slides from class. Your HW is Page 386 (Ex. 11.2) #1 & 4.

Tuesday, 10/2 - we used patterns to find a rule for finding derivatives quickly. Here are the notes from class. Here are the slides from class. Your HW is Exercise 11.2 (p. 387) #6-13.

Wednesday, 10/3 - we extended our use of derivatives to write equations of tangent lines to graphs. Here are the slides from class. Your HW is Exercise 11.4 (p. 407) #1.

Thursday, 10/4 - we applied the derivative and tangent line equations to a variety of problems. Here are the slides from class. Your HW is Exercise 11.2 (p. 387) #19-21.

Friday, 10/5 - we extended our use of derivatives and tangent lines to graphs to write down equations of normal lines to graphs. Here are the slides from class. Your HW is Exercise 11.4 (p. 407) #2 & 4 and you also have a mind map due Tuesday after the long weekend.

Monday, 10/8 - It's Columbus Day and we have no school.

Tuesday, 10/9 - we have another Tough Problem in class to review our functions and quadratics knowledge, with a little derivatives thrown in for fun.

Wednesday, 10/10 - you have your Class I workshops and Class I picnic.

Thursday, 10/11 - we have a group practice quiz on derivatives. Here are the slides from class. Here are the problems we worked on in class.

Friday, 10/12 - we are doing IB problems on derivatives to practice for our upcoming quiz.

Monday, 10/15 - we have our first calculus quiz, on the definition of the derivative, using first principles, using the power rule, and finding and using equations of tangent lines and normal lines. You have your final mindmap due tomorrow, Tuesday, 10/16.

Math Exploration Topic Submission - please follow this link to submit your Math Exploration topic idea for approval. Submissions are due by 10PM on Monday, 10/29.