Week #23
We've completed the techniques of finding derivatives of a small set of functions and relations. For example, you should be able to easily differentiate many of the functions and relationships that you previously studied, but not all. One big exception is Leonhard Euler's number raised to a variable power, f(x) = ex, which so happens to have a very strange and rememberable result: f(x) = f'(x).
Next week we'll start up with related rate word problems, and we'll put many of our rules to work. Then it's onto analyzing functions, first using the foundations of pre-calculus, then with a second pass where we'll meticulously refine our understanding of functions using mainly the first and second derivatives.
Oh, almost forgot, as originally advertised you guys will be getting an exam on Friday, October 29, 2004.
Another problem for you guys to ponder, but I don't want this handed in. However, I'm going to post the LATEX file of the solution to see if any of you computer types can figure out how to generate a pdf from it --- send me a pdf of this generated file if you can. I'm just curious. In any case, most professional mathematics is typeset in LATEX and if you plan to study mathematics beyonds the walls of Essex County College, you'll need to rub elbows with the LATEX digerati and I'd strongly suggest learning it. The best part about LATEX is that it's free and is highly portable.
Next week we'll start up with related rate word problems, and we'll put many of our rules to work. Then it's onto analyzing functions, first using the foundations of pre-calculus, then with a second pass where we'll meticulously refine our understanding of functions using mainly the first and second derivatives.
Oh, almost forgot, as originally advertised you guys will be getting an exam on Friday, October 29, 2004.
Another problem for you guys to ponder, but I don't want this handed in. However, I'm going to post the LATEX file of the solution to see if any of you computer types can figure out how to generate a pdf from it --- send me a pdf of this generated file if you can. I'm just curious. In any case, most professional mathematics is typeset in LATEX and if you plan to study mathematics beyonds the walls of Essex County College, you'll need to rub elbows with the LATEX digerati and I'd strongly suggest learning it. The best part about LATEX is that it's free and is highly portable.
posted by Ron Bannon at
10/22/2004 06:16:00 PM
13 Comments:
I know you guys are busy, so please spend time on the assigned homework and don't fret over the posted problem(s) in this week's posts.
We should also discuss the exam that you'll be getting on Friday, and I'd like your thoughtful input. I can recall one teacher I had (at Columbia University) that wrote exams that were near impossible to do, he'd even find his own questions to be so vexing that his assistant would often comment to us: "Don't worry, even he can't figure it out." He of course will remain nameless out of fear that he'll track me down and ask me something I should know. I've forgotten so damn much!
By
Ron Bannon, at 8:49 PM
You'll be given a 'paper' survey this week that will give you all a chance to comment on what is going on in class. I'd prefer to do this online, but the powers-that-be are not seeing eye-to-eye with me on the technology front. Anyway, this is a massive undertaking and hope all of you participate.
By
Ron Bannon, at 8:57 PM
I better stop writing, because I'm saying way too much. But could someone out there please post all assigned problems, it might be helpful to others. Finally, GUTE NACHT!
By
Ron Bannon, at 9:02 PM
We'll talk about this in class. If I forget, you'll need to remind me before the end of Wednesday's class. In any case, I have not written the exam, but I'll try to be fair when I do.
By
Ron Bannon, at 8:40 PM
The exam is finally ready. Ten questions in all, with each question worth ten points, for a grand total of 100 points.
Four question on using the rules of differentiation. One question on using the definition of the derivative. Two questions on pre-calculus (domain, range, symmetry, inequality, etc.). Two questions on evaluating a limit. Finally one question on your visual understanding of the derivative.
The exam, and answer key, will be posted on Friday, October 29, 2004.
祝好運
By
Ron Bannon, at 10:57 AM
The tag on the last post is in another language and your computer needs to be able to read an international character set. So, if you're seeing gibberish, you'll need to change your text encoding.
Chinese, Spanish, and then English, is the proper order of the world's most frequently spoken languages. However, English is truly an international language, and no matter where I go I can always find someone who speaks English. Many people believe that English speakers are bullying others to speak their language, but I believe that one reason why English is used, is that it's easy to learn a functional, albeit crude, use of the language without much effort.
By
Ron Bannon, at 11:31 AM
It has been a lot of fun playing with Latex. It also is still a mistery despite the fact that i was able to convert between formats; and i need a little advice, help, anything... i was able to get Tex system. LaTex project states that it is a easiest way to get LaTex. well i did. it came along with XEmacs(i am assuming it is similar to GNU Emacs) i was able to partially view tex file, but it left me with part of the code still on the screen like \begin{document} , \documentclass[..]{..} and similar, in addition to this, i could not find the way to produce DVI file and no way of converting to PDF. Plus learning the Emacs commands is promising to be additional headache
after that i went for MikTex and WinTex2000. WinTex2000 has a nice graphic interface and converting between files was one click away. but WinTex is not a free program and as far as i know LaTex is talked to be free. so i am assuming i went in wrong direction.
so i have two options and i am happy with neither of them. and i kind of need to know are there other options(?)
and i am still wondering what is LaTex? is it interface or as i see it -just a package that comes with Tex system. Wikipedia was not very clear on that. (unless i read it wrong :))
please help i am plain old confused.
By
elioz76, at 11:53 PM
LaTeX: It's Not Just for Academia, Part 1, by Kevin O'Malley is a fairly good introduction, but this is just the beginning. Many textbooks are available, and it will take lots of proctice to get good. Also, MathType (ECC has a license) will help, because it generates LaTeX/TeX code. LaTeX is based on Don Knuth's seminal work on computer typesetting called TeX (Tau Epsilon Chi). Yes, it's free, and the actual LaTeX files are just plain ASCII (plain text), but you'll need a program (usually free) to preview and create output. I noticed that you used MiKTeX to create the pdf, and that's probably a good place to start. Personally, I use TeXShop as a frontend and it's free.
By
Ron Bannon, at 6:04 AM
Oh well I guess I can't strike oil this night... I suppose I should SHOUT OUT for a 48 hour surveillance of this site... we may strike oil yet!
Gbenga
P.S. Oil futures on the NYSE is now at $55.17 per barrel... striking oil sounds wonderful but striking the "test" sounds more interesting. :)
By
Anonymous, at 9:37 PM
Thanks for your help. direction given by you was very helpful. i was able to find WinShell frontend which is free and a bit faster than WinTex that i previously used.
and while i am at thankyous. i also want to tell you that i love the idea of blogging. i see u r somewhat alone and giving up on other of your blogs. count me as your loial soldier. this is a great way to challenge us outside of the classroom walls. i realize that text book is not enough to acquire sufficient knowledge of subject. we need more and more knowledge. I dont just want to be able to solve primitive problems; i would like to know more than just that by the end of the semester. and i am hopping the blog might be of help. the links that you post are very informing and fun. i would love to see more challenges. or maybe just ideas to enrich our knowledge. well of course i can just pick up the book and read it, but this seems to be so much more fun.
Thanks again
By
elioz76, at 9:37 PM
I cannot agree more with Maia... its not just a calculus education, but an eclectic one, rich in information... well, I'm going back to my oil exploration... wish me luck!
Gbenga
By
Anonymous, at 9:55 PM
Great, Maia! I'm glad you're proceeding forward with LaTeX.
Also, this week I'll provide a flame-inducing comment on the U.S. election that I hope will further your educations outside the realm of mathematics. Maybe Gbenga should stay away from any oil fields while reading the upcoming post, or we may need Haliburton to put out Gbenga's burning Bush.
As I recall when I took calculus, one pip-squeak student asked the instructor what he meant by the latin term "ad infinitum", the instructor calming retorted: "It's these small little concepts . . . that remain once you've forgotten your calculus. It's being educated". Of course, he didn't didn't really tell the pip-squeak what "ad infinitum" means, but I think many of us knew then that we'd forget most of what we were learning, but the patina of our educations would color us beautiful.
By
Ron Bannon, at 10:49 AM
Wow... thats an awfully long time to brew "Latex"... anyway, I'll be looking forward to discussions on the elections. And remember "4 more years" or was it "Strong at home, respected abroad".. then again it depends on which side of the fence you are on!
Gbenga
By
Anonymous, at 10:12 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home