Multivariable Calculus Writing Projects

The Montgomery Burns Traveling Revue and Revenue Generator

• Topics emphasized: Motion and parametric equations in the three space
• Notes: A computer algebra system like Maple helps with the calculations.
• Last Assigned: Spring 2011

All this trouble for one little Geococcyx californianus

• Topics emphasized: Motion and parametric equations in the three space
• Notes: This is a slightly more general setting than "A Matter of Utmost Gravity", but many of the ideas are similar. A computer algebra system like Maple helps with the calculations.
• Last Assigned: Spring 2009

A Matter of Utmost Gravity

• Topics emphasized: Parametric equations in the plane
• Notes: A computer algebra system like Maple helps with the calculations in the general case
• Last Assigned: Spring 2003

The Montgomery Burns Traveling Revue and Revenue Generator: The Sequel

• Topics emphasized: Optimization of a function of two variables
• Notes: This is essentially the same as "The X-Files Makes Me So Angry" but with a different story line. The students will need some type of technology to find the stationary points.
• Last Assigned: Spring 2005

The X-Files Makes Me So Angry

• Topics emphasized: Optimization of a function of two variables
• Notes: The students will need some type of technology to find the stationary points.
• Last Assigned: Spring 2005

They Took Paradise and Won't Let Me Put Up a Parking Lot

• Topics emphasized: Optimization of a function of two variables
• Notes: It really helps to have a computer algebra system like Maple available for some of the calculations in this.
• Last Assigned: Fall 1997

Ya' Gotta Love Parametric Equations

• Topics emphasized: Parametric and polar plots
• Notes: This isn't a writing project like all the others on this page, but the students really enjoyed it for the most part. I got the idea for this from Judy Holdener at Kenyon College. You can view some sample projects from my classes in

  Fall 1998
  Fall 2001
  Spring 2002
  Spring 2003
  Spring 2005
  Spring 2009
  Spring 2011

• Last Assigned: Spring 2011

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