Welcome Parents
to AP Calculus BC with Mathematica
We started by asking
your children some questions:
If you:
• enjoy doing math
• realize that math can be
an experimental science
• enjoy figuring things out for yourself
then AP Calculus BC with Mahtematica
is just the place for you!
AP Calculus BC: What we learn
• Calculus: “The algebra of change.”
• Analysis: All about the right triangle; the trig
functions and their inverses; complex numbers.
• Math you will use: vectors, power series and
other fun stuff.
Calculus Topics
Analysis Topics
Science Topics
Topics from other subjects
AP Calculus BC: Grading
Quarters I-III
•
•
•
•
Labs and homework problems (30%):
Quizzes (20%): short, but frequent
Tests (25%): two or three a quarter.
Projects (15%): ‘open-ended investigations,’ more substantial than
labs.
• Class Participation (10%): pay attention to due dates, do your
work diligently, help others,
do your AP Calculus BC work.
AP Calculus BC:
The Exams
Some of your tests throughout the
year come from AP exams, providing
you ample preparation
for the exam in May.
The final exam will be the 4th
Quarter Project.
AP Calculus BC: What it’s All
About
The level of work expected in this class is far above that which
gives you an opportunity to earn
a 4 or 5
on the AP exam.
AP Calculus BC: So much more than an
exam!
“The goal of the AP program is not just getting you college
credit for a course
you take in high school.
The AP program is designed
to equip you for success in the courses
you take in college.”
Do not be lulled into apathy by the mystique of the ‘AP
curve.’
AP Calculus BC: Participation
When you finish your own work, see if you can
help someone else:
We learn from each other.
Ask lots of questions:
but don’t be shocked
when you have to
go look for answers!
Just what is Mathematica?
• A math programming language:
if you can write it,
you can evaluate it and
better still, plot it.
• By now, everyone
should have
Mathematica
available at home.
What about a calculator?
• Some parts of the class will use Mathematica;
• Some will use your graphing calculator (TI-83, 84 or 89).
• Some things you will do by hand.
Bring your calculator to class every day!
AP Calculus BC:
Lab Rules
We are often listening to each other’s suggestions for
solving problems.
When you are listening, you aren’t talking, emailing,
listening to music, browsing or typing:
That’s a big part of
your participation grade!
S208 is a classroom
If you find the computer lab too
much of a distraction, we can
help you find a math class better
suited to your learning style.
But we really want you to stick with
us!
AP Calculus BC:
Where you’ll learn
a lot more than Math!