Mathematics Math1b
Fall 2004

Introduction to Functions and Calculus II
and Differential equations

"The book of the universe is written in the language of mathematics."

Although the language of mathematics has evolved over time, the statement has as much validity today as it did when it was written. In Mathematics 1b you will become more well-versed in the language of modern mathematics and learn about its applications to other disciplines. Math 1b is a second semester calculus course for students who have previously been introduced to the basic ideas of differential and integral calculus. Over the semester we will study three (related) topics, topics that form a central part of the language of modern science:

• applications and methods of integration,
• infinite series and the representation of functions by infinite polynomials known as power series,
• differential equations.

We will start the semester with integration. You should already be familiar with the definite integral, its definition as the limit of Riemann sums, and its calculation using antiderivatives and u-substitution. The definite integral enables us to tackle a multitude of problems in a wide array of fields; we will begin the course by using the notion of Riemann sums, (slicing, approximating, and summing) to apply integration in various contexts. More important than any one particular application is the ability to apply the integration as appropriate in problem solving; we will devote time to developing your skill in doing this. We'll spend a short time looking at methods of integration including the integration analogues of both the Chain Rule and Product Rule for differentiation. We'll look at some alternative transformations of integrals that enable us to tackle them more efficiently.

In the second unit of the course we will approximate familiar functions like exp(x), sin(x), exp(-x²), cos(x²) by polynomials. The functions listed are challenging to evaluate and some are challenging to integrate. By using polynomials of increasingly large degree we can get increasingly good approximations to the functions. In fact, we will find that each of these functions has a representation as an infinite polynomial. study infinite sums.

(You already are aware that a rational number such as 1/3 can be represented by an infinite sum, , for the case at hand). Actually, irrational numbers such as e and have representations as infinite sums as well.)

We will end with differential equations, equations modeling rates of change. Differential equations permeate quantitative analysis throughout the sciences (in physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science, astronomy) and social sciences. In a beautiful and succinct way they provide a wealth of information. By the end of the course you will appreciate the power and usefulness differential equations and you will see how the work we have done with both series and integration comes into play in analyzing their solutions.

Class and Problem Sessions: Math 1b is taught in sections that meet three hours per week. Each section of Math 1b has a Course Assistant who will be in class, collect and correct homework assignments, and hold weekly problem sessions. You are strongly encouraged to attend these problem sessions as they are an integral part of the course and will be generally be devoted to working problems and amplifying the lecture material. The pace of the course is rather fast, so these sessions should be particularly valuable to you in learning the material. A schedule of all problem sessions will be posted on the course web site; feel free to go to any Math 1b Course Assistant's Problem Session.

Homework: Problems are an integral part of the course; it is virtually impossible to learn the material and to do well in the course without working through the homework problems in a thoughtful manner. Don't just crank through computations and write down answers; think about the problems posed, the strategy you employ, the meaning of the computations you perform, and the answers you get. It is often in this reflection that the greatest learning takes place.

An assignment will be given at each class meeting. Unless otherwise specified, the assignment is due at the following class meeting and will be returned, graded, at the subsequent class. If you miss a class, then you are responsible for obtaining the assignment and handing it in on time. Solutions put together by the course assistants will be available on the course website. When your homework assignments are returned to you, you can consult the solutions for help with any mistakes you might have made. Problem sets must be turned in on time. When computing your final homework grade, your lowest two homework scores will be dropped if you are in a TTh section and your lowest three homework scores will be dropped if you are in a MWF section.

Note that homework problems will sometimes look a bit different from problems specifically explicitly discussed in class. To do mathematics you need to think about the material, not simply follow recipes. (Following preset recipes is something computers are great at. We want you to be able to do more than this.) Giving you problems different from those done in class is consistent with our goal of teaching you the art of applying ideas of integration and differentiation to different contexts. Feel free to use a calculator or computer to check or investigate problems for homework. However, an answer with the explanation `` because my calculator says so" will not receive credit. Use the calculator as a learning tool, not as a crutch. Calculators will not be allowed on examinations.

Text: Single Variable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts by James Stewart. Second edition, Brooks/Cole 2001. This text is available at the Harvard Coop. There will be supplementary material available as well. You will generally be asked to do the reading in advance of the class lesson.

Pre-Reading: We will generally require that you read the material in the textbook before we discuss it in class, as opposed to reading it after the class. There will usually be two prereading questions: one will ask what you found most difficult in the reading, or what questions the reading brought up for you. You'll type your answer to this question into a website so that it can be accessed by your instructor the night before class to aid in class preparation. The content question will be turned in with your homework. In order to reward your effort in doing prereading assignments the assignments will be graded for effort and that grade figured into your course grade. All pre-reading questions will be graded on a binary system: full credit if you seem to have put thought and effort into your work, regardless of whether or not it is correct, and no credit if you didn't do it, or seemed to put very little effort into the assignment. You can also expect that your answers will sometimes help shape class discussion.

You are welcome to collaborate with other students on solving homework problems; in fact, you are encouraged to do so. However, write-ups you hand in must be your own work, you must be comfortable explaining what you have written, and there must be a written acknowledgement of collaboration with the names of you coworkers.

Odd-numbered problems are solved in the Student Solution Manual. After working on the problems on your own, you are free to consult this manual provided you acknowledge the use of this manual in your submitted work.

Math Help: The following sources of math help are available without any appointment:

• weekly problem sessions lead by course assistants: go to as many as you like
• office hours held by your section leader
• the Math Question Center: in Loker Common 8-10 pm every night except Friday and Saturday.

Exams: Exams are common and given in the evenings. Please keep these exam dates free from conflicts:

There will be an optional Technique re-Test available on November 8th in SC B from 6-7 pm. The higher of your two scores counts in the computation of your course grade. The first test is not optional.

Grading Policy:

Your course grade will be determined as follows:

midterm score: 40% First Exam + 40% Second Exam + 10% Technique Test + 10% Prereading

Course score: Take the higher of

45% Final Exam + 35% midterm score + 20% homework

30% Final Exam + 50% midterm score + 20% homework

40% Final Exam + 50% midterm score + 10% homework

Coursehead: Robin Gottlieb     Science Center 430, (617) 495-7882, gottlieb@math.harvard.edu

TENTATIVE WEEK-BY-WEEK SYLLABUS: September, 2004