Post #1

So I want to start this post off with saying that this week was not what I expected it to be. I expected the first week to be really hard, especially after seeing ALL of the formulas for the derivatives. However, it turned out not to be as intimidating as I thought. I think I really grasped hold on the concepts behind taking a derivative rather well. I guess it helps that through Mu Alpha Theta I had already learned the basic derivative formula...the whole limit as h approaches 0 thing, as well as taking a derivative of a polynomial the short way. I guess I was just more scared about Calculus because I know that I really need to focus on doing everything right and understanding it completely in order to do well on the AP exam...

Firstly, I think the only thing I didn't grasp at first was the weird wording on the word problems. There seems to be so many different words for the same exact thing, and it just gets really confusing. I think the only thing I had problems with on the packet was the average speed thing...and I think I figured out why. In our notes, we used an example problem with "the first two seconds". I did not realize at first that it doesn't have to be the "first n seconds" it can be any interval, such as from 2 to 4. It was also kind of confusing there because we used the long way to find the derivative, and I got lost in my notes...I guess I should learn to take better notes in math.

One thing that I really like the feel of that I think I could help you guys with is when taking care of things like:

1
---
x^(2/3)

I think everyone gets the concept of bringing it back up but I'm more than sure that a lot of you guys are forgetting the derivative rule when doing this. You bring the exponent to the front and then SUBTRACT one. You have to remember the subtract. I don't know how many times you guys are telling me that -(2/3) - 1 = (1/3). It becomes -(5/3), and therefore the answer would be

-2
---
3x^(5/3)

I hope that clears up some problems for some of you guys...

Anyway, as far as our first week, I think we are doing strong as a class, and we can move forward next week even stronger...We are doing really well so keep up the good work guys!
Be ready for the quiz on Tuesday :-p