Here is a list of homework assignments, annotated for end-of-semester studying. Also, here are the answers to graded quizzes and tests.
Added Dec 4: a picture that contrasts the washer and shell methods of finding volumes of revolution
This web page is located at http://www.math.vanderbilt.edu/~schectex/courses/calculus/. Bookmark that location, and check it occasionally. Its contents may change. In particular, links will be added for (after they're graded) answers to quizzes and tests. I will use Prometheus to send out grade reports, but probably not for much else.
Added link: Solving the cubic equation.
Instructor: Dr. Schechter (pronounced "shektur"). Email address: eric.schechter@vanderbilt.edu. Office: 1529, in the top floor of the Math Building. I will not necessarily be your math instructor during Spring 2002.
Office hours: Tentatively, I will be available Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:10 to 12:30, and also Tuesdays 12:30-1:30, without appointment. I will also be available at some other times by appointment.
Textbooks and syllabus: The two textbooks must be purchased as a bundled set at the school bookstore. If you've purchased Stewart's book separately, take it back.
About the first exam. Our first test will be on Monday, September 10. It will be a uniform department test, and no calculators will be permitted during it (unlike all the other calculus tests you take this semester, which will be written by me and which will permit the use of calculators). It will cover sections 1-6 of "From Here to Infinity." It will count for part of your semester grade, but it will also be used for placement: If you get a low score, you will be strongly urged (not required) to transfer out of Math 155a and into either Math 133 or Math 140. -- In studying for that first and exam (and for other purposes), I strongly recommend the "Common Errors in Math" web page mentioned in the list of links at the end of this web page.
Rules: Homework should be done in black or blue, not in red; but bring a red pen or pencil to class for marking that we will do together in class. Homework is to be done individually, not in teams.
Disabilities: Please inform me during the first week of classes, about any disabilities that may require special arrangements.
Absences: I generally do not take attendance after the first week or two. However: (i) Most students benefit from my lectures; if you skip my lectures, don't expect much attention from me in my office. (ii) If your friend forgets to turn in your homework paper for you, then you have just as big a zero as if you had forgotten to bring it to class yourself. (iii) I do permit late quizzes, tests, and homework in the event of illnesses, official Vanderbilt activities (e.g., you're on the basketball team), or job interviews. In general, I do not permit late work for family reunions, Mardi Gras, or weddings -- not even if you've already bought the plane tickets. Please consult the university calendar and the schedule below before buying any plane tickets. Between the extremes of illness and Mardi Gras, there are some borderline cases, and I decide about those; if you're in doubt, ask me.
Grades will be based on
| five | 50-minute tests, each worth | 10% of your grade, a total of | 50% |
| four | 15-minute quizzes, each worth | 5% of your grade, a total of | 20% |
| lots | of homework. worth | a total of | 15% |
| one | two-hour final exam, worth | 15% | |
| 100% |
Schedule of quizzes and tests
| day | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||||
| Mon | 3 (labor day is not a holiday) | 10 | 17 | 24 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 22, 23 H O L I D A Y | 29 | 5 | 12 | H O L I D A Y |
26 | 3 | 10 | Our final exam is Tues Dec 18 at 3pm | |
| Tue | 4 | 11 | 18 | 25 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 30 | 6 | 13 | 27 | 4 | 11 | ||||
| Wed | 29 classes begin | 5 | 12 | 19 | 26 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 24 | 31 | 7 | 14 | 28 | 5 | 12 (our last class) | ||
| Fri | 31 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 5 | 12 | 19 | 26 (last day to drop) | 2 | 9 | 16 | 30 | 7 | |||
Web links. Although I do not yet have any specific plans to use computers in the course, I'm not ruling out that possibility. In the meantime, here are some websites that you may find helpful or interesting. The first three are written by me, and the first of those is very strongly recommended for students who want a good grade from me.
