I'll use Maple syntax for mathematical notation on this page.
All section and page numbers refer to sections from Ostebee/Zorn, Vol 1.

Due Wednesday 1/31, at 8am

guidelines for submitting reading assignments
suggestions for reading a math text
course policies
syllabus

• To read: all of the above documents, plus that from the textbook mentioned below.
• Pay attention to: all of it: I tried to address as many issues as I could think of. Any questions? Ask me (in person or by e-mail)!
• Reminder: Keep the hard copies of these documents in your folder. Make a note of exam dates, project due dates, and the due date of the final in your calendar.

Section 1.1: Functions, Calculus Style
Section 1.2: Graphs
Appendix A: Real Numbers and the Coordinate Plane

• To read: Section 1.1 through Example 6; Section 1.2 through Example 5. Read or skim through Appendix A with whatever depth you need to.
• Be sure to understand: Examples 5 and 6 from Section 1.1; Examples 3 and 4 from Section 1.2. All of Appendix A, of course.

E-mail Subject Line: Math 101 Your Name 1/31

Reading questions:

1. Using the function m(x) defined in Example 4 on page 4, what is m(-4) exactly? Did you figure this out using the graph or the piecewise definition? Explain why you chose the method you did.
2. Consider the hot-air balloon whose altitude graph is shown in Example 5 on page 5. Is the balloon rising or falling at t = 3 minutes? Is the upward velocity positive or negative at t = 3 minutes?
3. In Example 2 on page 14, exactly how far above the x - axis is the curve when x=3?
4. In Example 3 on pages 14 and 15, the authors say that f (1) is approximately - 6, but that we'd need more information to know whether f (1) = - 6 exactly. What kind of information would tell us whether f (1) = -6?

Reminders:

• Always explain briefly how you arrive at each of your results. This time I asked "why or why not"; "explain", etc. I won't always, but it's implied.
• Come to lab at 1pm Tuesday.
• Find out this week's problem set assignment, listed at the bottom of this course's web page. .

Please Note:

Unfortunately, I can not respond individually to the reading assignments every day. I will, of course, respond to direct questions. There does not appear to be an easy way for me to automatically send you a "message received" note. Usually e-mail goes through fine, but sometimes messages do disappear without bouncing back to you. To be on the safe side, send yourself a copy every time you send me a response. Every now and then, ask me if there are any missing assignments, and if there are, forward your (dated) copy.