AP Calculus

Mrs. Miriam Cruz

E-mail Address: [email protected]
Google Number: (818) 527-5519

Syllabus

Welcome
I am excited to start the new school year and am looking forward to getting to know each of you as we explore
the world of mathematics! I hope to be able to meet all of your needs as we work our way to success together!
It is important for all of you to know and understand that I have high expectations of all of you, which will be
consistent throughout the year. I hope that you all have high expectations of me, as well. Remember, I am here
to help you learn and to teach with you, not to or for you! I know that just as you will learn a lot from me, I
will learn a lot from you!

Course Objectives
• Work with functions represented in a variety of ways and understand the connections among these
representations.
• Understand the meaning of the derivative in terms of a rate of change and local linear approximation,
and use derivatives to solve a variety of problems.
• Understand the meaning of the definite integral both as a limit of Riemann sums and as the net
accumulation of change, and should be able to use integrals to solve a variety of problems.
• Understand the relationship between the derivative and the definite integral.
• Communicate mathematics both orally and in well-written sentences to explain solutions to problems.
• Model a written description of a physical situation with a function, a differential equation, or an integral.
• Use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and verify conclusions.
• Determine the reasonableness of solutions, including sign, size, relative accuracy, and units of
measurement.
• Develop an appreciation of calculus as a coherent body of knowledge and as a human accomplishment.

Materials:
Students are required to bring the following items to class every day:
1. Composition notebook with graph paper
2. At least 2 pencils with erasers
3. Colored pens to take notes and/or correct
4. Highlighters, preferably different colors
5. TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator

Grading Scale Grade Distribution

100-90% A Class Work/Homework 20%
89-80% B Formative Assessments 35%
79-70% C (Assessments with feedback)
69-60% D Summative Assessments 45%
59-0% F (Exams, midterms, finals)

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Class Expectations
The students will be expected to follow the classroom and school wide rules that have been established. The
following are general rules that are to guide students at all times in and outside of the classroom:
ü Be respectful
ü Be punctual
ü Be prepared
ü Be responsible
ü Be brave – Making mistakes is part of learning
ü Approach all situations with dignity
ü Make learning your GREATEST priority

Homework
Students will be assigned class work and homework regularly. Students should submit the assignment on the
day it is due. Assignments may not be accepted after the deadline or may have points deducted if submitted late.
It is students’ responsibility to communicate with the teacher about any late assignments.

Attendance
It is extremely important that students come to class every day, since we will be learning something new daily.
Multiple absences will affect students’ grades. If absent, it is students’ responsibility to find out what
assignments and notes they missed during their absence. Students will be expected to turn in assignments on
time. If students have a valid excuse for an absence, they will need to speak to the teacher on the next day they
are present in school to determine what the next steps will be.

Make-up Exams and/or Retakes

Students will make up missed assessments as soon as they are able to. It is students’ responsibility to
communicate with the teacher to determine when the make-up assessment(s) will be completed.

Students will be allowed to retake assessments if and only if they received a grade of D or F. Students who
wish to retake an assessment must arrange to do so before school at 8:00 am within one week after the exam has
been returned. The highest grade that a student is allowed to receive on a retake is a 70%. Only ONE retake
will be permitted per assessment.

Mastery Grading
Students will have multiple opportunities during the school year to demonstrate mastery of standards.
Summative assessments can be used to replace formative and previous summative assessment scores.

Tutoring
If students need help with any of the material that is presented in class and/or homework assignments, they are
encouraged to make an appointment to come before school for tutoring at 8:00 am. Tutor.com is also available
via Schoology 24 hours a day.

Rule of Four
We will be using the “Rule of Four” to approach and solve problems in a variety of ways. This mathematical
structure incorporates the following methods:
• Numerical analysis (only data points are known; no equation)
• Graphical analysis (only graph is known; no equation)
• Analytic/Algebraic Analysis (equations/variable manipulation)
• Verbal/Written methods of representing problems (word problems; written justifications)

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Primary Textbook
Calculus: Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic (AP Edition) 5th ed. by Finney, Demana, Waits, Kennedy &
Bressoud Published by Pearson (2016) ISBN: 9780133311617

Using the textbook, along with additional resources, students will be expected to work as a team to be
successful in this course. Expectations include working with partners to complete class assignments/projects;
working with partners to come up with solutions to problems, including justifications for solutions; and working
with partners to discuss important concepts/themes to gain a better understanding of the material. As many of
you know, working with others can be extremely beneficial, as long as everyone is invested in the outcome of
the work being produced. Collaboration is EXTREMELY important to any math class and is just as crucial for
AP Calculus.

Technology Requirement
This year, we will be using a graphing calculator in the class regularly. We will be using the calculator to do
the following:
• Conduct explorations
• Graph functions within arbitrary windows
• Solve equations numerically
• Numerically calculate the derivative of a function
• Numerically calculate the value of a definite integral
• Analyze and interpret results
• Justify and explain the results of graphs and equations

Activities and Investigations

1. Functions and their graphs
a. Use limits of functions to investigate the relationship between average rates of change and
instantaneous rates of change (derivative).
b. Explain:
i. f ′(x) > 0
ii. f ′(x) < 0
iii. f ′(x) = 0
c. Identify patterns that lead to derivative formulas.
d. Investigate derivatives by looking at graphs.
2. Volume of known-cross sections
a. Students work in groups to create physical models to help them visualize the volumes of solids
of known cross-sections.
b. Present their finding with a poster, written report and oral presentation.
3. Motion
a. Investigate the difference between distance, displacement, and position.
b. Present their finding with a poster, written report and oral presentation.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Limits and Continuity (1-1.5 weeks)

1. A Brief Preview of Calculus: Tangent Lines and the Length of a Curve
2. The Concept of a Limit
3. Computations of Limits
4. Continuity and Its Consequences
5. Limits Involving Infinity; Asymptotes
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 a. The Method of Bisections
6. Formal Definition of the Limit
a. Exploring the Definition of a Limit Graphically
b. Limits Involving Infinity

Unit 2: Differentiation (2.5-3 weeks)

1. Tangent Lines and Velocity
a. The General Case
b. Velocity
2. The Derivative
a. Alternative Derivative Notations
b. Numerical Differentiation
3. Computation of Derivatives: The Power Rule
a. The Power Rule
b. General Derivative Rules
c. Higher Order Derivatives
d. Acceleration
4. The Product and Quotient Rules
a. Product Rule
b. Quotient Rule
c. Applications
5. The Chain Rule
6. Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions
a. Applications
7. Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
a. Derivatives of Exponential Functions
b. Derivative of the Natural Logarithm
c. Logarithmic Differentiation
8. Implicit Differentiation and Inverse Trigonometric Functions
a. Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
9. The Hyperbolic Functions
a. The Inverse Hyperbolic Functions
10. The Mean Value Theorem

Unit 3: Applications of Differentiation (2.5-3 weeks)

1. Linear Approximations and Newton’s Method
2. Intermediate Forms and l’Hôpital’s Rule
a. Other Intermediate Forms
3. Maximum and Minimum Values
4. Increasing and Decreasing Functions
5. Concavity and Second Derivative Test
6. Overview of Curve Sketching
7. Optimization
8. Related Rates
9. Rates of Change in Economics and Sciences

Unit 4: Integration (3-3.5 weeks)

1. Direction/Slope Fields
2. Antiderivatives
3. Sum and Sigma Notation
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 a. Principle of Mathematical Induction
4. Area
5. The Definite Integral
a. Average Value of a Function
6. The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
7. Integration by Substitution
a. Substitution in Definite Integrals
8. Numerical Integration
a. Midpoint Rule
b. Trapezoid Rule
c. Simpson’s Rule

Unit 5: Applications of the Definite Integral (2 weeks)

1. Area Between Curves
2. Volume: Slicing, Disks and Washers
a. Volumes by Slicing (Cross-Sections)
b. The Method of Disks
c. The Method of Washers
3. Volume of Cylindrical Shells
4. Arc Length and Surface Area
5. Projectile Motion
6. Separable Differential Equations
a. Logistic Growth

Unit 6: Review/Test Preparation (1.5-2.5 weeks)

1. Multiple-Choice Practice
a. Test-taking strategies
b. Individual and group practice
2. Free-Response Practice
a. Review of rubrics
b. Students collaborate to form team responses
c. Individual student responses are created; full explanations emphasized

Unit 7: After the Exam

1. Collaboration projects designed to incorporate the year’s learning
2. Research projects on the historical development of Calculus
3. College math requirements and expectations

The teacher has the right to change or modify the contents of the syllabus at any time during the school year.
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AP Calculus

Mrs. Miriam Cruz

E-mail Address: [email protected]
Google Number: (818) 527-5519

Syllabus

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