AP Calculus AB Course Description
This is a comprehensive year-long course in the study of both differential and integral calculus and is intended to be the equivalent of a college level Calculus I course. Students will be studying the ideas of functions, graphs, limits, derivatives and integrals as outlined in the AP Calculus Course description (as it appears on the AP Central website).
The intent is for students to master the fundamentals of calculus in order to succeed on the AP Calculus AB exam and be adequately prepared to be successful in higher mathematics courses. Students should have mastery of material including the study of algebra, geometry, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions (linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise-defined functions). Students must also be familiar with the properties, algebra, graphs, and language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and so on). Additionally, students should know the values of the trigonometric functions at the standard intervals (and their multiples).
Students should already have the ability to use a graphing utility to perform basic operations (graph a function in an appropriate viewing window, approximate zeroes, approximate extrema, find points of intersection, identify asymptotes, etc). Material will be presented using the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition calculator and students are encouraged to use this model, or another equivalent model approved for use on the AP exam. Calculators must be brought to class every day as its use is an integral part of the course. By the end of the year, students should be able to use a calculator (or graphing utility) to graph a function in any window, determine the value of a derivative at a specified point, find the value of a definite integral, solve an equation, and intelligently analyze and interpret results.
Students will have to work and “think” hard in this course. Some concepts students may not get when first introduced, that’s normal. The expectation is that students ask questions, and more importantly, maintain the motivation and dedication to truly understand these new concepts. Remember, as the saying goes “math is not a spectator sport”. With that said, the focus of this course is neither manipulation nor memorization of functions, curves, theorems, or problem types. The ultimate goal of this course is to understand the power of calculus and to be able to apply calculus in the real-world.
Prerequisite: Honors Precalculus or General Precalculus (requires teacher recommendation)
The intent is for students to master the fundamentals of calculus in order to succeed on the AP Calculus AB exam and be adequately prepared to be successful in higher mathematics courses. Students should have mastery of material including the study of algebra, geometry, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions (linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise-defined functions). Students must also be familiar with the properties, algebra, graphs, and language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and so on). Additionally, students should know the values of the trigonometric functions at the standard intervals (and their multiples).
Students should already have the ability to use a graphing utility to perform basic operations (graph a function in an appropriate viewing window, approximate zeroes, approximate extrema, find points of intersection, identify asymptotes, etc). Material will be presented using the TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition calculator and students are encouraged to use this model, or another equivalent model approved for use on the AP exam. Calculators must be brought to class every day as its use is an integral part of the course. By the end of the year, students should be able to use a calculator (or graphing utility) to graph a function in any window, determine the value of a derivative at a specified point, find the value of a definite integral, solve an equation, and intelligently analyze and interpret results.
Students will have to work and “think” hard in this course. Some concepts students may not get when first introduced, that’s normal. The expectation is that students ask questions, and more importantly, maintain the motivation and dedication to truly understand these new concepts. Remember, as the saying goes “math is not a spectator sport”. With that said, the focus of this course is neither manipulation nor memorization of functions, curves, theorems, or problem types. The ultimate goal of this course is to understand the power of calculus and to be able to apply calculus in the real-world.
Prerequisite: Honors Precalculus or General Precalculus (requires teacher recommendation)