Math 75A Old News

• 8/20
  1. Be sure to check here periodically for important information and updates.
  2. The secret quote for the course is, "Mathematics is not a spectator sport."
  3. The web materials for this course are still under construction. If you spot any errors or links not working, please let me know.
• 8/27
  1. Thanks to those students who pointed out an error in a link from the syllabus, "Basis for Course Grade (what does this mean?)" It has now been fixed.
  2. I will be creating WeBWorK accounts for everyone in the class in the next couple days. I will send e-mail, and announce in class, when they are ready.
• 9/9
  1. New item for download, available above under Worksheets and Handouts: a worksheet that we will start in class tomorrow and will be due with the paper homework this Friday. Please see the Homework List for details.
  2. New item for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: the quiz we took last Friday.
  3. New item for download, available above under Selected Paper Homework Solutions: selected solutions to HW 1 problems (Stewart 1.1 #38, 46).
• 9/12
  1. New item for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: today's quiz.
• 9/16
  1. New item for download, available above under Selected Paper Homework Solutions: selected solutions to HW 2 problems (Stewart 1.2 #22, 38, 62).
  2. New item for download, available above under Worksheets and Handouts: solutions to Worksheet W1.
  3. The technical difficulties connected with delivery of WeBWorK feedback emails appear to be fixed. I believe I am receiving your emails without difficulty. If you have sent WeBWorK feedback using the "Email Instructor" button and have not received a reply within 24 hours, please email me directly and let me know.
  4. We are still a bit behind in class, so I have moved one of the WeBWorK deadlines (S1-4) to next week. All other deadlines, including for paper homework, remain the same. Please see the Homework List for details.
• 9/19
  1. New item for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: today's quiz.
  2. New item for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: a collection of practice problems for the midterm. You are urged to complete them under test conditions as much as possible (no notes, no calculator, no interruptions) in order to give yourself a good "dress rehearsal." Solutions will be available soon.
• 9/21
  1. New item for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: solutions to the practice problems. Important. I have not exhaustively proofread these solutions. (I am concentrating on making sure the actual exam is error-free!) If you find any errors or typos in these solutions, please let me know as soon as possible so I can fix them.
  2. A reminder that our problem session this week will be longer to give us extra time to go over problems before the test. It will be from 12:30 to 2:00pm. It will be beneficial to you and to everyone else if you have thoroughly gone over the solutions to the practice problems before this session (see above). I will be happy to answer any questions that are asked; however, we will have time for many more questions if everyone is asking questions like, "In your solutions, on #3, I get all the steps except this part...", rather than, "I didn't get #3. No, I haven't tried to read your solutions."
  3. Do you get nervous before exams? Your first line of defense is to be as well-prepared as possible. The following suggestions may help:
     1. Practice all the types of problems many times, until you reach a high level of accuracy and feel completely comfortable.
     2. Talk over difficult problems and concepts with your study group; you might try doing this at the tutoring lab, where you can get help if your group gets stuck.
     3. Of course, you should not hesitate to see me (or email me) with any questions.
     With continued study and practice everyone in our class is capable of doing well on the exam. I will be rooting for all of you! Good luck!
• 9/23
  1. New item for download, available above under Selected Paper Homework Solutions: selected solutions to HW 3 problems (Stewart 1.3 #14; 1.4 #10, 18, 38).
• 10/6
  1. New items for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: Midterm I, and last Friday's quiz.
  2. New item for download, available above under Worksheets and Handouts: a worksheet passed out in class today that we will work on in class Wednesday. It will be due with the paper homework this Friday. Please see the Homework List for details.
• 10/13
  1. New items for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: last Friday's quiz.
  2. New item for download, available above under Selected Paper Homework Solutions: selected solutions to HW 4 problems (Stewart 1.6 #14).
  3. Old news from August and September has been moved to the Old News page.
• 10/17
  1. New item for download, available above under Selected Paper Homework Solutions: selected solutions to HW 5 problems.
• 10/18
  1. New item for download, available above under Worksheets and Handouts: selected solutions to Worksheet W2.
  2. New item for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: yesterday's quiz.
• 10/23
  1. New item for download, available above under Selected Paper Homework Solutions: selected solutions to HW 6 problems.
  2. New item for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: a practice midterm, with solutions. As usual, you are urged to complete the practice exam under test conditions as much as possible (no notes, no calculator, no interruptions) in order to give yourself a good "dress rehearsal."
  3. Important note. I have not exhaustively proofread the solutions to the practice midterm. (I am concentrating on making sure the actual exam is error-free!) If you find any errors or typos in these solutions, please let me know as soon as possible so I can fix them.
  4. A reminder that our problem session next week will be longer to give us extra time to go over problems before the test. It will be from 12:30 to 2:00pm. It will be beneficial to you and to everyone else if you have thoroughly gone over the solutions to the practice problems before this session (see above). I will be happy to answer any questions that are asked; however, we will have time for many more questions if everyone is asking questions like, "In your solutions, on #3, I get all the steps except this part...", rather than, "I didn't get #3. No, I haven't tried to read your solutions."
  5. Do you get nervous before exams? Your first line of defense is to be as well-prepared as possible. The following suggestions may help:
     1. Practice all the types of problems many times, until you reach a high level of accuracy and feel completely comfortable.
     2. Talk over difficult problems and concepts with your study group; you might try doing this at the tutoring lab, where you can get help if your group gets stuck.
     3. Of course, you should not hesitate to see me (or email me) with any questions.
     With continued study and practice everyone in our class is capable of doing well on the exam. I will be rooting for all of you! Good luck!
• 10/24
  1. Reminder! Next week's midterm falls on Halloween, and there are bonus points available if you arrive in costume. You can review the ground rules here. Also please keep it G-rated, and don't wear anything that will be scratchy or otherwise make you or your neighbors uncomfortable. You want to be at your best for the test! I will be taking pictures of everyone in costume -- I promise not to put them on the internet! -- it is just so I can remember who was in costume in order to record bonuses (and so I can remember you all fondly in my old age).
• 10/28
  1. New item for download, available above under Selected Paper Homework Solutions: selected solutions to HW 7 problems.
  2. New item for download, available above under Exams and Practice Exams: Friday's quiz.
  3. A reminder that Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday morning at 2am. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour!
  4. Also, Election Day is next Tuesday, November 4. I hope you all have registered and that you will exercise your civic duty by researching the issues and casting your ballot, if you have not yet mailed it in already.

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