AP Calculus AB
Class Supplies
- Supplied by Mr. Miles
- Textbook – you will be expected to use it daily, but do not need to bring it to class.
- Minipolots – These will allow you to add graphs to your notes and assignments without having to create a coordinate grid
- Mathscard – A general reference for mathematics
- Required
- Pencils – since part of learning math is making mistakes, the ability to erase and keep the work neat makes it easier for the student and I to follow the corrected work.
- Graphing Calculator – such as TI-84.
- Notebook(s) – dedicated to taking math notes.
- Optional
- Loose Leaf Paper – for doing homework.
- Graph Paper – Many students find doing their work on graph paper helpful for two reasons. First, if they need to create a graph, they may do so right next to their work. Second, it helps the student keep the work organized both horizontally and vertically.
- Erasers – Often with mathematics, the erasers on pencils become used up well before the pencil is, so spare tip erasers or a separate eraser helps in keeping the work neat and organized.
Calculators
Professional mathematics organizations have strongly endorsed the use of calculators in mathematics instruction and testing. The use of a graphing calculator, such as a TI 84, Casio fx-CG 100, Casio fz-9750 GIII, NumWorks or similar in this course is considered integral. I will be using a TI-84 for classroom demonstrations, but I will help you learn your calculator’s functionality.
A graphing calculator is required for this course and you are expected to bring your calculators to class daily. You will learn how to carry out the following four basic required operations:
- plot the graph of a function within an arbitrary viewing window,
- find the zeros of functions (solve equations numerically),
- numerically calculate the derivative of a function, and
- numerically calculate the value of a definite integral.
Additionally, you will learn how to:
- use the built-in minimum, maximum, and intersection tools,
- use the various regressions models that are available,
- draw the inverse of a function,
- draw and find the equation of a tangent line,
- graph the composition of two functions,
- graph the derivative of a function, and
- graph the antiderivative of a function.