Avon High School
AP Calculus AB
Congratulations for enrolling in AP Calculus AB Honors for the 2013-2014 school year! You have a challenging year ahead
of you. But with hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, it can become a very rewarding and enjoyable year.
Going into AP Calculus, there are certain skills that have been taught to you over the previous years that we assume you
have. If you do not have these skills, you will find that you will consistently get problems incorrect next year, even though
you may understand the calculus concepts. If is frustrating for students when they are tripped by the algebra and not the
calculus. This summer packet is intended for you to brush up and possibly relearn these topics.
We assume that you have the basic skills in algebra. For example, being able to solve equations, work with algebraic
expressions, and basic factoring should now be a part of you. If not, you would not be going into AP Calculus. So, only the
topics I see that students consistently do not have down in their basic skill set are included here. These are skills that are
used continually in AP Calculus.
You have 9 to 12 problems per page on the following 15 pages along with 3 pages of 22 basic graphs of which you need to
be familiar. Each problem should be done in the space provided. If you are struggling with a topic, try to Google it. Don’t
fake your way through these problems. Don’t fake your way through these problems. As stated, students are notoriously
weak in them, even students who have achieved well prior to AP Calculus.
This packet is due the first day of the school year that your class meets (Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 or Thursday, August 1,
2012). It will be graded. You need to get off to a good start so spend some quality time on this packet this summer. Tear off
the first sheet and return the remaining sheets stapled together. Be sure your name is on the first sheet. Work needs to be
shown where necessary. Also do not rely on the calculator. More than half of your AP exam next year is taken without the
calculator, so use paper and pencil techniques only.
It is a mistake to start this now. Let it go until mid-summer. I want these techniques to be relatively fresh in your mind
when school starts. However, do not wait to do them at the very last minute. These take time. If you do two concepts a
day, the whole packet will take you about a week to complete.
If after consulting Google, you still have any questions about any of these problems or techniques used in solving them,
please contact me: cqguth@avon-schools.org. If you feel like you need even more help and/or may need a tutor for the
school year, please contact Cindy Ryan at cindy.ryan@yahoo.com or 317-209-0441 (if you text, please remember to
include your name). She will be available in July and throughout the school year.
We will be using Texas Instruments® TI-Nspire Touchpad CAS graphing calculators. You will
be issued one on the first day of school (there will be a $25 rental fee as part of your book
rentals). If you choose to purchase your own, please be sure to get one shown to the right
(the $25 rental fee will be removed from your book rentals).
I look forward to seeing you in the fall and hope you are able to benefit from the
experience of taking an AP Math class and continue the success that has been associated
with AHS’s AP Calculus program.
Enjoy your summer,
Mrs. Guth
Avon High School
AP Calculus AB
The topics covered in this packet are listed below.
Beginning Algebra Topics
1. Fractional and Negative Exponents
Intermediate Algebra Topics
2. Domain
3. Solving Inequalities: Absolute Value
4. Solving Inequalities: Quadratic
5. Special Factoring Formulas
6. Function Transformation
7. Factor Theorem (p over q method)
8. Even/Odd Functions
9. Solving Quadratic Equations and Quadratic Formula
Advanced Algebra Topics
10. Asymptotes
11. Complex Fractions
12. Composition of Functions
13. Solving Rational Equations
Trigonometry Topics
14. Basic Right Angle Trigonometry
15. Solving Trigonometric Equations
Graphing
16. Sketching Basic Functions
Avon High School
AP Calculus AB
It has been brought to my attention that you have signed up for this course against your Pre-Calculus teacher’s
recommendation. In my experience, students that earned below a B- in Honors Pre-Calculus are not successful in AP
Calculus. If you feel that you cannot complete most of this packet, you will most likely struggle with this course. Please take
this into consideration and change your schedule if necessary BEFORE the start of the school year (remember, VU Calculus
is an option). If you really want to stay in the course, please stay on top of things from day one and let me know
immediately when you need help.
Thanks!!