Calculus

Tim Holm 2012-2013

Text: //Calculus//, Larson 7th Edition (available in different volumes, including //Calculus of a Single Variable// and //Calculus with Analytic Geometry// - the material we cover is identical across these volumes)

Calculus has a deserved reputation as one of the most difficult math courses offered in high school curriculums. It involves careful and often difficult analysis and reasoning of unusual algebraic functions. It is not for students who struggle with standard algebraic concepts (such as finding the zeroes of a function or rationalizing expressions), nor is it for students looking merely to boost their resumes.
 * Who Should Take Calculus?**

Instead, Calculus is for students who **both** show skill in advanced algebra and express interest in college degrees that will likely require Calculus, most notably the 'hard' sciences, engineering, and medicine. Incoming Calculus students must also meet certain prerequisites, outlined below.

Calculus involves advanced algebraic reasoning and calculations. Students should have a solid understanding of advanced functions include various polynomial and trigonometric functions. Such understanding is demonstrated by one of the following:
 * Prerequisites**
 * 1) Completion of Precalculus at Chinquapin with an 80 or higher
 * 2) Completion of a Precalculus summer course before senior year
 * 3) Completion of Alg II junior year, with these conditions:
 * An 85 average or above for the second semester and fourth quarter
 * A signed note from your Algebra II teacher recommending you for Calculus
 * Completion of an intensive and condensed Precalculus unit provided by me for the summer

Additionally, __all incoming Calculus students__ must complete [|this trigonometry packet] before the start of school in the fall. I recommend waiting until the last two or three weeks so that you can recall the information later, but I do not recommend waiting until the last minute, as there is a significant amount of material to review. Most of our tests are calculator-free, so students should strive to internalize the information and use calculators only as instructed and to check their work. The packet will be for a major grade (much like a summer reading paper). Packets turned in on Work Day will receive a full letter grade bonus.


 * HW (with tutorial links)**