Teaching Strategies

Foundation
Due to the location of the school, this course is offered to the audience consists of mostly
Chinese students. The students have built an incredibly strong foundation in algebra, geometry,
trigonometry, and pre-calculus prior to the study of calculus. To Chinese students, however, there
are many firsts. This is the first complete math course instructed in the language of English. A
graphing calculator, which is completely avoided in local math curriculum, is required and used
throughout a large portion of lessons. Students, whose local education is dominated by a
theoretical approach, are able to witness real-life applications both in the classroom and in their
assignments. Western mathematicians, who are largely unfamiliar to Chinese students, are also
introduced as part of the math reading in this course for the very first time. AP Calculus BC is
expected to be a challenging course. Specifically, vector functions, partial derivatives, and
multiple integrals are included as topics. The curriculum plan is inspired by the Chinese students
natural ability to absorb mathematical concepts.

Theory

definition, as well as some selected proofs, is included as part of the course. Most Chinese
students are able to read and produce logical and clear proof at this stage of their education, due
to their theory-oriented lecture manner in the early study of high school.

Calculator
My students use Casio fx-9750GII.

AP Review
The entire April is used as study month to prepare for the AP Calculus BC examination. Most
lessons will be proceeded to practice released AP Calculus BC examination. For advanced
students, some test papers from the textbook teachers manual will also be discussed.

References
Major textbook
James, Stewart. Calculus, 7ed. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2012.

AP Calculus BC Course Outline

Chapter 1 Functions and Models (September Week 1&2)
Examples of representing a function in four ways: verbally, numerically, visually, and
algebraically

Concepts related to a function

Piecewise defined functions
Symmetry
Odd and even functions
Increasing and decreasing functions
Combinations of functions
Composite functions
Inverse functions
Real-world applications of mathematical models
Essential functions: linear functions, polynomials, power functions, rational functions,
algebraic functions, trigonometric functions, exponential functions, logarithmic
functions, and inverse trigonometric functions
The use of a graphing calculator 1: graphing functions

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Chapter 2 Limits and Derivatives (September Week 3&4)

The idea of limits: the tangent problem and the velocity problem
Understanding limits: from a numerical table and from a graph
The intuitive approach of limits: two-sided limits, one-sided limits, infinite limits, and
vertical asymptotes
Limit calculation using the Limit Laws
- definition of a limit
Continuity
Different types of discontinuity from a graph
The Intermediate Value Theorem
Function ending behavior: limits at infinity and horizontal asymptotes
Derivative of a function at a number
Derivative as a function
Different notations of differentiation
functions failing to be differentiable from a graph
Higher derivatives
Monthly Test 1

Chapter 3 Differentiation Rules (October Week 1&2)

Rules and their derivation
1. Derivative of a Constant Function
2. The Power Rule
3. The Constant Multiple Rule
4. The Sum Rule
5. The Difference Rule
6. Derivative of Exponential Functions
7. The Product Rule
8. The Quotient Rule
9. Derivative of Trigonometric Functions
10. The Chain Rule

11. Derivative of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

12. Derivative of Logarithmic Functions
Definition of the number e
Formal proof of the Chain Rule
Implicit differentiation
Graphs of implicit relations
Logarithmic differentiation
The number e as a limit
Rates of change and applications in various areas: physics, chemistry, biology,
economics, geology, and psychology
Exponential growth and decay
1. Population growth
2. Radioactive decay
3. Newtons Law of Cooling
4. Continuously compound interest
Related rates
Linear approximation
Differentials
Hyperbolic functions and inverse hyperbolic functions

Chapter 4 Applications of Differentiation (October Week 3&4)

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Maximum and minimum values

The extreme value theorem
Fermats theorem
The mean value theorem
Increasing test and decreasing test
The first derivative test
Concavity test
The Second derivative test
0

Indeterminate forms: type , type , type 0 , type

LHospitals rule
Indeterminate powers
Curve sketching
Slant Asymptotes
The use of a graphing calculator 2: finding derivatives
Optimization problems
Newtons method
Antiderivatives
Monthly Test 2

Chapter 5 Integrals (November Week 1&2)

The idea of integrals: the area problem and the distance problem
The definition of a definite integral as a Riemann sum
Evaluating integrals by using a limit
Properties of the definite integral
The fundamental theorem of calculus
Indefinite integrals
Net change theorem
The substitution rule
Integrals of symmetric functions

Chapter 6 Applications of Integration (November Week 3&4)

Calculating the areas between curves

Calculating volumes: solids of revolution
Calculating volumes: method of cylindrical shells
Work (in physics): Hookes law
The average value of a function
The mean value theorem for integrals
Monthly Test 3

Chapter 7 Techniques of Integration (December Week 1&2)

Integration by parts
Trigonometric integrals
m
n
sin x cos xdx
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m
n
tan x sec xdx
2.
Trigonometric substitution
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a2 x2
a2 x2
x2 a2
Integration of rational functions: partial fractions
Strategy for integration in general
Integration using tables
The use of a graphing calculator 3: calculating integrals
Integration by approximation
Midpoint rule
Trapezoidal rule
Simpsons rule
Improper integrals: infinite intervals and discontinuous integrands

Chapter 8 Further Applications of Integration (December Week 3&4)

Calculating the arc length

Calculating the area of a surface of revolution
Hydrostatic pressure and force
Moments and centers of mass
Consumer surplus
Blood flow
Cardiac output
Probability density function of a continuous random variable
Monthly Test 4

Chapter 9 Differential Equations (January Week 1&2)

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Examples of differential equations: population growth and the motion of a spring

Direction fields
Eulers method
Solving separable equations
Orthogonal trajectories
Models for population growth
The law of natural growth
The logistic model
First-order linear differential equations
Predator-prey systems

Chapter 10 Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates (January Week 3&4)

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Parametric equations and their graphs

The use of a graphing calculator 4: graphing parametric equations
Solving problems with parametric equations
Calculating tangents
Calculating areas
Calculating arc length
Calculating surface area
Polar coordinates and their graphs
The use of a graphing calculator 5: graphing by polar coordinates
Solving problems with polar coordinates
Finding tangents
Finding areas
Finding arc length
Conic sections
Parabolas
Ellipses
Hyperbolas
Monthly Test 5

Chapter 11 Infinite Sequences and Series (February Week 1&2)

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Intuitive approach of a sequence

Formal approach of a sequence
Convergence of divergence of a series
The integral test
Estimation of a series
The comparison test
Alternating series
Absolute convergence and conditional convergence
The root test
Power series
Representing functions as power series
Differentiation of power series
Integration of power series
Taylor and Maclaurin series
Approximating functions by polynomials
Applications to physics
Monthly Test 6

Chinese New Year Holiday (February Week 3&4)

Chapter 12 Vectors and the Geometry of Space (March Week 1&2)

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Three-dimensional coordinate systems

Vectors
The dot product
The cross product
Equation of a line
Equation of a plane
Cylinders
Quadric surfaces

Chapter 13 Vector Functions (March Week 3&4)

Vector functions: graphing space curves

Derivatives of a vector function
Integrals of a vector function
Arc length
Curvature
Velocity and acceleration in space
Monthly Test 7

Study Month for the AP Exam (April)

Chapter 14 Partial Derivatives (May Week 3&4) (After the AP Exam)


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Functions of two variables

Graphs
Level curves
Functions of three or more variables
Limits
Continuity
Partial derivatives
Partial differential equations
Tangent planes
Linear approximations
Differentials
The chain rule
Implicit differentiation
Directional derivatives
The gradient vector
Maximum and minimum values

Chapter 15 Multiple Integrals (June Week 1&2) (After the AP Exam)

Volumes and double integrals
Iterated Integrals
Double integrals in polar coordinates
Surface area
Triple integrals
Cylindrical coordinates
Spherical coordinates
Course Examination

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