Welcome to AP Calculus AB! As instructors of AP Calculus AB, we have extremely high expectations for both ourselves and for students who take our courses. As stated in the district program planning guide, we expect a certain level of independence to be demonstrated by anyone taking AP Calculus. Your first opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities and resourcefulness to us is through this summer work packet which will help maintain and improve skills. This packet is a requirement for all AP Calculus students and parts of it are due on the three different assigned dates. If it is not completed by the assigned dates, students may not be allowed to attend the AP Calculus AB class starting in late August. Work on as much of this packet on your own as you can, then get together with a friend, one of us or “google” the topic to find an appropriate solution. The required skills you’ll need for tackling Calculus include but are not limited to graphing, simplifying expressions, and solving equations of the following types: trigonometric, rational, piecewise, logarithmic, exponential, polynomial/power, and radical. Rather than give you a textbook to look up the techniques necessary to solve problems, we found various videos. They can instruction you on some techniques that might help you master a concept successfully. If and when you are still unsure of how to attempt to do a problem do not hesitate to search for more resources to learning the techniques. The links to these videos can be found at A graphing calculator is required for the AP Calculus examination so there is an expectation that you are familiar with using specific functions on the calculator. In the event that you are unsure how to perform functions on your calculator, you may need to read through your calculator manual or find videos to understand the necessary syntax or keystrokes. You must be familiar with certain built-in calculator functions such as finding maximum and minimum values, intersection points, and zeros of a function. The calculator brand and model we will be using in class is the Texas Instrument TI-84+. All TI-83, TI-84, and TI-Inspire models are similar and acceptable. If you do not have your own graphing calculator, we encourage you to purchase or borrow one. If you need assistance or have any questions, you may either of us for help. Class lists will not be available until later this summer so until then we will all be working together. We will be available to give hints and answers to the questions that you might be having difficult doing. If you feel the need to, Mr Cifuni and/or Ms Szymanski can schedule class meeting(s) at the high school, the public library, or some place else. You just have to let us know if and when you would like to Meet. Finally, we suggest not waiting until the last moment to begin working on this packet. If you spread it out, you will most likely retain the information much better. Once again this is due, completed with quality, on the dates indicated inside this package. It is your ticket into the class. Good Luck! Have a Great Summer! Mr. Gerald Cifuni Ms Cheryl Szymanski
Assignment Part One Topics and Videos links: Functions Intercepts of Graphs Points of Intersection Domain and Range Inverses of Functions Equations of Lines Assignment Part Two Topics and Videos links: Unit Circle Trigonometric Equations Transformation of Functions Vertical Asymptotes Horizontal Asymptotes Exponential Functions Properties of Logarithms Even and Odd Functions Assignment Part Three Topics and Videos links: What is a limits? When does a limit exist? How do you evaluate limits? Limits and Infinity Continuity Other Helpful web-sites