Math 101 - Calculus I - Reading Assignments
September 1998

Be sure to check back, because this may change during the semester.
(Last modified: Monday, August 24, 1998, 10:46 AM )

I'll use Maple syntax for mathematical notation on this page.
All numbers indicate sections from Ostebee/Zorn, Vol 1.

For September 4

Course Policies
Notes on Reading Assignments
Notes for Students (pg xix in the text)

Section 1.1 Functions, Calculus Style

  • To read : Through Example 6
  • Be sure to understand : Examples 5 and 6

Email Subject Line : Math 101 9/4 Your Name

Reading Questions :

  1. Give an example of a function that is defined by words, without an explicit formula.
  2. Using the function m(x) in Example 4, what is m(-2)?
  3. Is the balloon in Example 5 rising or falling at time t=4 minutes? Explain.

For September 7

Section 1.2 Graphs
  • To read : All
  • Be sure to understand : Example 3; Example 4 part 3; Operations with constants

Email Subject Line : Math 101 9/7 Your Name

Reading Questions :

  1. Explain why the graph of x2+y2=1 in Example 1 is not the graph of a function.
  2. For which values of x is the graph in Example 3 increasing? decreasing?
  3. How does the graph of f(x)+2 compare with the graph of f(x)? the graph of 2 f(x) to the graph of f(x)?

For September 9

Section 1.3 Machine Graphics
  • To read : All
  • Be sure to understand : The Six views of the sine function; Example 1
Section 1.4 What is a Function?
  • To read : All
  • Be sure to understand : The Five Examples; the definition of domain and range of a function

Email Subject Line : Math 101 9/9 Your Name

Reading Questions :

  1. Give the domain and range of the function f(x)=x2.
  2. Let g(t) = the world's human population t years C.E. Give the domain and range of g.
  3. How can you recognize a periodic function from its graph?

For September 11

Re-read Notes on Reading Assignments

Section 1.5 A Field Guide to Elementary Functions

  • To read : Pages 49-61
  • Be sure to understand : The definition of an exponential function and the definition of a logarithm function.

Email Subject Line : Math 101 9/11 Your Name

Reading Questions :

  1. What is the domain of the rational function r(x) = x2/(x2-1) in Example 3? Why?
  2. Every exponential function f(x)=bx passes through a common point. What is it? Why?
  3. Every logarithmic function g(x)=logb(x) passes through a common point. What is it? Why?

For September 14

Section 1.5 A Field Guide to Elementary Functions (continued)
  • To read : Pages 61-65
  • Be sure to understand : The sine and cosine function defined as circular functions (pg 62)

Email Subject Line : Math 101 9/14 Your Name

Reading Questions :

  1. What are the domain and range of sin(x)?
  2. How long is the arc on the unit circle that begins at the point (1,0) and moves counter-clockwise to the point ( - 1/sqrt(2), 1/sqrt(2) )?
  3. What is the period of the cosine function? How can you tell?

For September 16

Section 1.6 New Functions from Old
  • To read : Through Example 4
  • Be sure to understand : The definition of the composition of two functions.

Email Subject Line : Math 101 9/16 Your Name

Reading Questions :

  1. Using f and g from Example 2, what is (g o f)(2)?
  2. Let f(x)=x3 and g(x)=sin(x) .
    • What is (f o g)(x) ?
    • What is (g o f)(x) ?

For September 18

Work on Group Project 1. No Reading Assignment.

For September 21

Section 2.1 Amount Functions and Rate Functions: The Idea of the Derivative
  • To read : Through page 100
  • Be sure to understand : Pages 94-96 on Rates, Amounts, and Cars: The Prime Example

Email Subject Line : Math 101 9/21 Your Name

Reading Questions : Look at the graphs of P(t) and V(t) on page 95.

  1. Is the derivative of P positive or negative at t=5 ? Explain.
  2. Is the second derivative of P positive or negative at t=5 ? Explain.
  3. Give a value of t where the derivative of P is zero.

For September 23

Section 2.2 Estimating Derivatives: A Closer Look
  • To read : All
  • Be sure to understand : Examples 1, 4, and 5

Email Subject Line : Math 101 9/23 Your Name

Reading Questions :

  1. What does the term "locally linear" mean?
  2. Explain why the derivative of f(x)=|x| does not exist at x=0.

For September 25

Re-read Course Policies

Section 2.3 The Geometry of Derivatives

  • To read : All
  • Be sure to understand : The Extended Example beginning on page 118; The definitions of stationary point, local maximum and minimum, global maximum and minimum, concave up and concave down; The First Derivative Test

Email Subject Line : Math 101 9/25 Your Name

Reading Questions : Look at the graph of f ' in Example 2:

  1. Where does f have stationary points?
  2. Where is f increasing?
  3. Where is f concave up?

For September 28

Exam 1 today. No Reading Assignment.

For September 30

No Reading Assignment today.


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Last modified: Monday, August 24, 1998, 10:46 AM