November 19, 2009
Here is a review sheet for the second midterm coming up on Tuesday, November 24.
In addition to what is listed on the review sheet, you should also be comfortable with applying calculus to curves defined parametrically and using calculus to investigate parametric motion. Pay close attention to the assigned homework, especially the non-textbook problems on this topic.
November 13, 2009
The worksheet for Tuesday is here. This expands on last week's worksheet, filling out the method of Newton's Method. There are a few Newton's Method problems on this week's homework assignment, taken from section 4.8. Newton's Method problems make nice exam questions.
November 9, 2009
In discussions with a few students, it has been made clear to me that for the analysis of dy/dx and tangent lines to the curve in the writing problem, the cartesian equation is much easier to work with. There are some technicalities involved when studying dy/dx for this curve at the point of self-crossing (as it is called), and the cartesian form makes this quite a bit simpler. So, I strongly recommend that you study dy/dx via the cartesian equation rather than via the parametric equations.
Also, I am aware that there is considerable material related to this curve on the web, including material provided by the publishers of our text. I would like to point out a couple of things. First, a lot of this information is, at best, incomplete, and at worst, incorrect, so consider what you read with a great deal of caution. Second, be sure that your work on the writing problem is yours, and yours alone: be careful not to plagiarize.
November 9, 2009
Writing Problem 2 is now due next Monday, November 16 (instead of this Friday, November 13). Many people spoke to me today and showed lots of good effort toward solutions to the problem.
November 3, 2009
Here is a little writeup on finding lines simultaneously tangent to two curves.
November 2, 2009
I have updated the solutions to midterm exam 1. There were changes to problem 1(b) and problem 3.
November 1, 2009
Writing Problem 2: The Folium of Descartes is a curve defined
parametrically by the equations
Thoroughly analyze this curve.
Find all symmetries and asymptotes. Find all vertical and horizontal tangent lines.
Give a cartesian equation for the curve. Determine the "extreme" points of the
loop. Sketch the curve.
November 1, 2009
Here is an applet illustrating an idea related to problem 3 from the midterm.
October 30, 2009
Answers to the midterm are now available in the archive (link at right).
October 30, 2009
Some stats on the first midterm:
n=58; min=36; 1st quartile=44; median=52;
3rd quartile=57.5; max=68 (2 people).
Here's a histogram of the exam scores:
October 24, 2009
I just realized that the review sheet I posted contains a mistake in that it does not mention that section 2.4 is also relevant for this midterm. So please pay attention to those problems assigned for that section.
October 23, 2009
My exam archive (link at right) is a good source for old exam problems to practice with. Even though only the first two (Autumn 2007 and 2008) are honors sections, the other problems have at least some problems very much worth considering before the midterm. On Monday in lecture, we can discuss any questions you have about any of these exams, or anything else.
October 22, 2009
Here is a review sheet for the first midterm. Also, the homework schedule has been augmented to include a few problems from 3.2 and 3.3.
October 21, 2009
Here is an applet I just wrote to illustrate the idea that normals to the graph of a quadratic function y=x2 miss some of the y-axis.
Note that your browser will need to have Java enabled for this to work.
October 11, 2009
Here is an animation related to an example from Monday's lecture.
Also, please bring this worksheet to quiz section on Tuesday. If you have the course pack, you have it already.
October 5, 2009
Please print out this worksheet and bring it to quiz section tomorrow (Tuesday). If you have the course pack, you already have the worksheet.
October 4, 2009
Here are some suggestions for the first writing problem. Be sure to also check out the examples on the discussion board.
October 1, 2009
I have added some writing problem examples to the discussion board (link at right). Do take a look.
October 1, 2009
Everyone should know that the homework assignment is found via the link on the right side of this page. Click on that link, and you will find the homework assignment for next Friday. I'll be adding more problems later today.
That page is the only way to know what the homework assignment is. I assign problems different from those assigned to the non-honors sections of 124.
September 28, 2009
About the course textbook:
The textbook for the course is Calculus, by Stewart, 6th edition, early transcendentals version. The full (i.e. standard) textbook will cover the courses Math 124, 125 and 126, as well as Math 324. It's probably available used from various sources.
The bookstore has custom printed (paperback) versions of the text: one covers 124 and 125, the other 126. As far as I know, they are not selling used copies of this.
Read about the optional course pack below.
September 21, 2009
About the 124 Course Pack: At the UW bookstore (as of 9/21), you can purchase a collection of printed items known as the "124 Course Pack". This contains all of the worksheets you will need for the course, plus other supplementary materials like old exams. All of the material in the course pack is available on the 124 Materials Website (link at right), so you welcome to just print things out as you need them. The course pack is available for your convenience.
September 20, 2009
Welcome to Math 124 K, Autumn quarter 2009.
Announcements and other useful things will be posted here during the quarter, so check this site frequently.