Math 31

The Math 31 course is designed to introduce students to the mathematical methods of calculus. The course acts as a link between the outcomes of the Mathematics 10-20-30 Pure program and the requirements of the mathematics encountered in post-secondary programs. The course builds on existing skills in working with functions and expands this knowledge to include the study of limits in preparation for a study of differential and integral calculus. The methods are applied to problems encountered in the areas of science, engineering, business, and other fields of endeavor.

The focus of this course is to examine the functions that describe changing situations as opposed to the more static situations encountered in previous mathematics courses. Emphasis is placed on the more graphical methods to illustrate the way in which changing functions behave.

Mathematics 31 is designed in a required-elective format. The required component is intended to take the larger proportion of instructional time. There are eight units available in the elective component, of which one or more units are intended to take the remainder of the instructional time.

The time given to the required component, and the number of elective units covered will vary, depending on local conditions. In general, most students will do one or two elective units.

Required Component

The three sections of the required component are as follows:

            1^st Six Weeks – PreCalculus and Limits

            2^nd Six Weeks – Derivatives and Derivative Theorems

                                    - Applications of Derivatives

            3^rd Six Weeks – Integrals, Integral Theorems, and Integral Applications

Elective Component

The eight possible units available in the elective component are as follows:

            Calculus of exponential and logarithmic functions

            Numerical Methods

            Volumes of Revolution

            Applications of calculus to physical sciences and engineering

            Applications of calculus to business and economics

            Calculus theorems

            Further methods of integration

Grading

Since each six weeks contains different content, each term will be graded separately and become one third of the final grade.

Each term will be weighted as follows:

            Assignments – 40%

            Quizzes – 10%

            Term final – 50%

Work for the course has been taken from the following references:

Essentials of Precalculus Mathematics, Dennis T. Christy, Harper and Row Publishers, 1997.

Caclulus of One Variable (second edition), Larson and Hostetler, D. C. Heath and Company, 1979.

Single Variable Calculus (second edition), James Stewart, Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 1991.

Calculus, A First Course, Stewart, Davison, and Ferroni, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 1989.