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 AboutThe 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!

1/n

dy/dx

ex dx

e i=-1

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!