Course Page for MA251

Course Description

This course offers an introduction to the foundational ideas of differential calculus, focusing on the concept of limits, continuity, and the definition of the derivative. Students will learn to differentiate elementary functions (polynomial, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic) and explore a variety of applications in the physical sciences. Emphasis is placed on developing both procedural fluency and conceptual understanding.

A syllabus can be found here. Lecture notes notes will be updated weekly, and can be found here.

Midterm I

The first midterm is on Wednesday the 23rd and covers limits and the basics of differentiation. I have created a study guide.

Midterm II

The second midterm is on Wednesday the 21st, and cover related rates, the second derivative, and optimization. I have created a study guide.

Final

The final examination is on Wednesday the 11th, and covers the entirety of the course. Use the study guides for the first and second midterms, as well as the week IX problems to prepare.

Problem Sets

Week 1

Textbook Problems

Ch. 2: 16–19, 44–54, 76–78, 93–102, 110–114, 118–121, 129–130, 135–138, 140–149

Challenge Problem Sheet I. Solutions

Week II

Textbook Problems

Ch. 3: 116-125, 133-136,150-153, 159, 175-184, 209-213, 245-252, 257, 268-273, 296, 297,299 , 310-315, 320,325, 338-345

Challenge Problem Sheet II. Solutions

Week III

Ch 3: 311, 313, 315, 325, 326, 327, 347, 349, 351, 353

Challenge Problem Sheet III. Solutions

Week IV

Midterm Week: No Homework.

Week V

Ch 4: 1-4, 12-20, 32-38

Challenge Problem Sheet IV. Solutions

Week VI

Ch 4: 113-128, 316, 322, 338-340

Challenge Problem Sheet V. Solutions

Week VII

No homework this week. Midterm next week.

Week VIII

No homework this week. Enjoy Memorial Day Weekend!

Week IX

Ch4: 356-360, 367-379, 490-498, 509,511

Ch5: 170-183

No Challenge Homework this Week, but submit problems 378, 494, 511, and 175 on a separate sheet of paper for grading.

Week X

Final next week, no homework. Use the first and second study guide, plus Week IX problems to study.