El Camino College - Division of Mathematical Sciences

Math 66ab
The Graphing Calculator for Calculus
1 unit; 1 hour lecture

Catalog Description Course Objectives and Methods of Evaluation
Outline of Subject Matter Planned Instructional Activities

Grading Method: Letter

Associate Degree Credit --- Does Not Transfers to CSU and Does Not Transfers to UC

Prerequisite: Mathematics 180 with a minimum grade or qualification by testing (El Camino College Mathematics Placement Test) and assessment.

Catalog Description:
This course is designed for students who are using, or plan to use, a graphing calculator in calculus courses. Students will learn to use a graphing calculator to approximate limits, solve equations, calculate derivatives numerically, evaluate definite integrals, fit curves to existing data, and explore topics such as Riemann sums, Taylor series, and Newton's Methods.

Course Objectives and Methods of Evaluation:

  1. Course objectives (list the major objectives stated as student outcomes in behaviorally measurable terms.)


    Use a Graphing Calculator To:
    1. Find intersection, intercepts, values, relative minima and relative maxima of functions
    2. Input data and find the equation that best fits the data
    3. Access graphing calculator programs through the Internet or other calculators
    4. Calculate derivatives numerically
    5. Evaluate definite integrals
    6. Graph tangent lines, 1st derivatives, and 2nd derivatives
    7. Approximate limits and investigate the continuity of functions
    8. Solve equations
    9. Determine critical and inflection points of functions
    10. Approximate areas between curves
    11. Estimate areas using Riemann Sums
    12. Investigate the interval of convergence of a Taylor Series
    13. Approximate zeros using Newton's Method
    14. Graph parametric and polar functions
    15. Evaluate functions and their inverses

  2. Methods of Evaluation - Associate Degree Credit Course
    1. Substantial writing assignments are inappropriate for this degree applicable course because:
      1. The course is primarily computational in nature.
      2. The course primarily involves skill demonstrations or problem solving.
    2. Computational or non-computational problem-solving demonstrations, including:
      1. Exam
      2. Quizzes
    3. Objective examinations, including:
      1. Multiple choice
      2. Completion
      3. Matching items
      4. True/False

Return to the top of the page.

Outline of Subject Matter
 

Approximate Time

Major Topic

2 hours

Graphing of major types of functions including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and log functions in the appropriate viewing window

1 hour 

Solving Equations

1 hour 

Curve fitting

2 hours

Graphing and evaluation of 1st and 2nd derivatives

Calculation of roots, intersections of graphs, relative minima and relative maxima of functions using graphs

1 hour 

Accessing graphing calculator programs via the Internet and other calculators
1 hour 

Graphing of tangent lines

Approximating of Limits Graphically and Numerically

Investigating the Continuity of Functions

Calculating derivatives numerically
1 hour  

Evaluating functions and their inverses
1 hour 

Critical and Inflection points
2 hours

Evaluating definite integrals

Area between curves

1 hour 
Estimating of area using Riemann Sums
1/2 hours Approximating zeros using Newton's Method
1/2 hours Investigating the interval of convergence using Taylor Series
2 hour 
Trigonometric Functions

Graphing parametric and polar equations

2 hours

Examinations

Total:

18 Hours

Return to the top of the page.

Planned Instructional Activities:

Lecture, group activities, graphing calculator instruction, individual assistance

Entrance Skills and Knowledge:

List the required skills and/or knowledge without which a student would be highly unlikely to receive a grade of A, B, C, or Credit (or for Health and Safety, would endanger self or others) in the Target Course.

  1. Graph parabolas, circles, ellipses and hyperbolas with translations
  2. Determine zeros of polynomial functions
  3. Graph polar and parametric equations and solve problems involving polar and parametric equations
Return to the top of the page.
 
Source of information: Course Outline of Record dated November, 2001


 Last Updated On: 4/20/06