"You do not study mathematics because it helps you build a bridge. You study mathematics because it is the poetry of the universe ” -- Johnathan David Farley
Introduction
Calculus is the branch of advanced mathematics that deals with problems that cannot be solved with ordinary algebra – such as rate problems where slopes are not fixed, and the areas and volumes of irregular objects. Students will learn, through direct instruction and extensive practice, about the two main branches of calculus (differential and integral calculus) and related subjects.
One goal of this class is to provide students with the foundations for college science, math, and engineering classes. An essential component of this is the development of critical thinking skills, in particular, problem solving skills. As a result, we will emphasize the thought process – students will be expected not just to know the answers, but to explain them.
This is a n “advanced placement” math class. Students in this class are expected to take the Calculus AB AP test. Students who perform well on this standardized test may be eligible to bypass introductory calculus classes in college. The exact amount of credit will depend on the test score, and on which college they choose to attend.
This is also considered to be a college-level course. As such, I will be doing you a favor by treating you like college students. This means that more of the responsibility for your learning lies in your own hands than you may have been accustomed to thus far. By now, you should have a good sense of how to learn a complex subject. Do the work necessary and take the responsibility to seek extra help when you need it.
Summer Expectations
For you to be successful in calculus this coming year, it is essential that your background algebra, trigonometry (especially a thorough knowledge of the unit circle), and precalculus skills are fresh and without gaps. To ensure this, there are two assignments that must be completed over the summer.
The first is a set of roughly 100 problems in a review packet.
The problems in this packet are designed to help you review topics from algebra, trigonometry, and pre-calculus that are important to your success in AP Calculus. All too often, I have seen students show perfect calculus work, only to get the final answer incorrect due to algebraic or trigonometric errors. While we will take a few days for some additional pre-calculus background work, it is critical that you understand the (review) topics covered in the packet prior to the start of school. Do yourself a favor and work out these prerequisite skills at your leisure during the summer; do not wait until the last week (or night!) before the start of school. When you come across a topic that requires a little review, feel free to search a website, call a friend or e-mail me (rrice@sd27j.org) for help.

This summer packet is required, will be counted as your first quiz grade, and is due on the first day of class in August. Do your BEST work on this – show me what you can do! You must answer the problems on a separate sheet of paper, clearly showing how you solved each problem – the only exceptions are problems #75-105, for which there should be enough space. If the problem involves graphing, you must either use graph paper or tape/glue the appropriate graph onto you answer page. Do not attempt to graph on standard lined paper.
Answers will be made available throughout the summer so you can check your work; in no case is the answer without any supporting work sufficient to turn in at the start of school. The first test, roughly a week after the start of school, will cover all of the material in the review packet. After this we can begin our true adventure into calculus!
The second component for the summer is review work on Khan Academy. I have set up classes for Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus, and there is a set of background skills from these two courses that you are required to master before the start of school in August. These should all be topics you have previously studied. The specific details will be posted shortly on my class page. There is a link for summer assignments under the Calculus tab; please refer to this and sign up on Khan before the end of the day on Wed. May 20 th , the end of spring finals.
These two items – the set of skills on Khan and the summer packet - must be completed prior to the start of school. If a student is unwilling or unable to do the necessary background work over the summer, drop slips will be available the first day of class.
Lastly, over the summer, please obtain a graphing calculator, ideally a TI-84 Plus, which offers the more convenient “mathprint” entry of functions, derivatives, and integrals. The TI-83 series is not recommended since they are slower and have the older style “classic” entry style which is more cumbersome to use. If you choose to use any other brand or model of graphing calculator, including the TI N-Spire, you will be on your own in terms of learning its operation.
The TI-84 color version has been particularly useful for calculus students since it was released.
If you have any questions at all during the summer, please feel free to send me an email. Calculus is an absolutely wonderful and vast subject and is truly an opening into another mathematical world. It provides a foundation for a wide variety of courses that you may take in the future, however, in its own right, it is a fascinating subject that provides ample rewards to those who choose to study it. Your previous math courses have provided a firm foundation for calculus. Do all of the summer work so that your background knowledge is fresh when we begin in the fall. See you then!
Mr. Robert Rice
Mathematics Dept.
Prairie View High School rrice@sd27j.org