AP Calculus BC Syllabus

2012-2013

COURSE OVERVIEW: In our class, we cover all of the topics that are listed in the Calculus BC Course
Description as it appears on the AP Central website. We cover these topics in the class time that we
have before the AP test occurs. The students will develop their problem solving, writing skills, analytical
thinking, and group work skills.
The main objectives of the class are to prepare the students for college level mathematics, enable
students to tie together all of the mathematics topics that they have learned throughout high school,
and to prepare them for the AP exam. We also spend time learning how to use technology to estimate
answers, check results, complete steps to multi-step problems, and support conclusions. The main text
used in the class is Single Variable Calculus by Jon Rogawski.

COURSE OUTLINE: AP Calculus BC

Semester 1 I. Limits and Their Properties (2 weeks)
An intuitive understanding of the limiting process
Find limits graphically and numerically
Evaluate limits analytically
An intuitive understanding of continuity
Continuity and one-sided limits
Intermediate Value Theorem
Infinite limits and vertical asymptotes

II. Differentiation (2-3 weeks)
The derivative and the tangent line problem
Differentiability and continuity
Basic differentiation rules and rates of change (average and instantaneous)
Product and Quotient Rules and Higher Order derivatives
The Chain Rule
Implicit differentiation
Related Rates

III. Applications of Differentiation (3 weeks)
Extrema on an interval
Rolles Theorem and the Mean Value Theorem
Increasing and decreasing functions
The First Derivative Test
Concavity and points of inflection
The Second Derivative Test
Limits at Infinity (horizontal asymptotes)
Summary of Curve Sketching (including monotonicity)
Optimization problems
Business problems
Newtons Method
Differentials
Linear (or tangent line) approximations

IV. Introduction to Integral Calculus (3 weeks)
Antiderivatives and indefinite integration
Position, velocity, acceleration
Sigma Notation and concept of Area as the limit of a sum
Reimann sums (including left, right, and midpoint evaluation points)
Definite integrals solved using geometric formulas
Properties of definite integrals
Trapezoidal Rule
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
Average value of a function
Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
Integration using u-substitution
Displacement and definite integrals
V. Transcendental Functions (2-3 weeks)
The Natural Logarithmic Function and Differentiation
The Natural Logarithmic Function and Integration
Inverse Functions
Exponential Functions: Differentiation and Integration
Bases other than e and applications
Inverse trigonometric functions and Differentiation
Inverse trigonometric functions and Integration

VI. Differential Equations (2 weeks)
Differential equations: Slope fields and Eulers Method
Differential equations: Growth and decay
Differential equations: Separation of variables and the Logistic Equation

VII. Applications of Integration (1-2 weeks)
Area of a region between two curves
Volume: Disk method
Volume: Washer method
Volume: Known cross-sections
Arc Length and Surfaces of Revolution

Semester 2 VIII. Integration Techniques (2-3 weeks)
Basic integration techniques
Integration by parts
Partial fractions
Indeterminate forms and LHpitals Rule
Improper integrals


IX. Infinite Series (5 weeks)
Sequences
Series and convergence
The Integral Test and p-Series
Comparison of series
Alternating series
The Ratio and Root Tests
Taylor Polynomials and Approximations
Power series
Representation of functions by power series
Taylor and Maclaurin Series

X. Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates (2 weeks)
Plane curves and parametric equations
Parametric equations and calculus
Polar coordinates and polar graphs
Area and Arc Length in polar coordinates
XI. Vector-Valued Functions (1 week)
Vectors in a plane
Vector-valued functions
Differentiation and integration of vector-valued functions
Velocity and acceleration

XII. AP Exam Preparation (3 weeks)


All of the time frames are approximations depending on the year. As the group of students varies, the
school calendar changes, the testing day fluctuates, and I am ever improving my lesson plans, the
amount of time spent on any particular topic is likely to increase or decrease.

TEACHING STRATEGIES: Students taking AP Calculus are expected to have had a strong Algebra and Pre-
Calculus foundation. We will as a group work on algebra skills, use of the graphing calculator, study
skills and, most importantly, student communication- both written and oral. High expectations are set
for the students. An effort will be made to minimize the amount of lecture, and encourage active
learning from the students. Topics are presented in class using the rule of four: graphically,
numerically, algebraically, and verbally. Class discussions and board work are an important part of our
class. Students are also encouraged to work in small groups often so that they may discuss ideas and
concepts as they work on their assignments. Using multiple approaches allows the students to achieve a
deeper understanding of the subject matter and better enables them to communicate their thoughts
verbally, mathematically and in written form. Much emphasis is placed on communicating their method
of solution and justification of their answer. This is achieved by having the students practice the free
response type of problems and submit their solutions either orally to the class or in written form to the
teacher. During the review part of the course prior to the exam, each student has a chance to read
other student papers and assign points according to a rubric (usually a rubric from previous exams free
response questions.


TECHNOLOGY: Each of our students is provided a TI-84+ graphing calculator to use throughout the year.
These calculators are checked out to them with their books and they are able to take them out of the
classroom to use as needed. A graphing calculator will be used daily in the class and all chapter tests
are divided in two halves: one without the use of any calculator and the other half requiring the use of a
graphing calculator. The graphing calculator allows the student to support their work graphically, make
conjectures regarding the behavior of functions and limits among other topics thus allowing students to
view problems in a variety of ways. The calculator helps students develop a visual understanding of the
material. The most basic skills on the calculator: graphing a function with an appropriate window,
finding roots and points of intersection, finding numerical derivatives and approximating definite
integrals, are mastered by students. Students have their own calculator and programs such as Riemann
sums, slope fields, and Newtons method, to name a few, are used as a teaching tool.

STUDENT EVALUATION: Nine week grades are computed using homework, quizzes, and test to
accumulate a total point amount. Students then earn a percentage based on the total points possible in
the class for the term. Homework is periodically collected to check for understanding and to make sure
it is being done. Quizzes are taken after every few topics covered, depending on the topics and the level
of understanding that the teacher perceives the students to have. Tests are taken at the end of each
chapter and are broken into two parts. Students take a calculator section followed by a non-calculator
section, during which they may return to the calculator portion to finish a problem, but without aid of
their calculator. The tests are constructed this way to mimic the AP test.

TEACHER RESOURCES:
Primary Textbook
Larson, Roland E., Rober P. Hostetler, and Bruce H. Edwards. Calculus with Analytic Geometry. 6
th
ed.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998
Supplementary Materials
AP Calculus Teachers Guide
AP Calculus Free-Repsonse Questions and Solution 2003-2008
Larson, Roland E. and Bruce H. Edwards. Calculus of a Single Variable. 9
th
ed. Belmont: Brooks/Cole
Cengage learning, 2010
Lederman, David. Multiple-Choice & Free Response Questions In Preparation for the AP Calculus (AB)
Examination. 8
th
ed. Brooklyn: D&S Marketing Systems, Inc. 2003.
Hockett, Shirley O. and David Bock. Barrons AP Calculus. 9
th
ed. New York: Barrons, 2008
Finney, Ross L., Franklin D. Demana, Bert K. Waits, Daniel Kennedy. Calculus: Graphical, Numerical,
Algebraic. 3
rd
ed. Boston: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2010