Welcome to Calculus AB

Calculus AB
 
Course Description
 
Calculus AB, an advanced placement (AP) course, is a full year high school course which is comparable to the first semester of calculus that is typically offered in colleges and universities. It is expected that students who take an AP course in calculus will seek college credit, college placement, or both, from institutions of higher learning. Calculus AB represents one semester of college credit that can be earned if a student scores well enough on the AP exam, administered in early May.
 
Topical Outline for Calculus AB
 
Functions, Graphs, and Limits
Analysis of graphs
Limits of functions
Asymptotic and unbounded behavior
Continuity as a property of functions
Derivatives
Concept of the derivative
Derivative at a point
Derivative as a function
Second derivatives
Applications of derivatives
Computation of derivatives
Integrals
Riemann sums
Interpretations and properties of definite integrals
Applications of integrals
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
Techniques of antidifferentiation
Applications of antidifferentiation
Numerical approximations to definite integrals
Calculus AB uses the textbook Calculus by Larson, Hostetler, and Edwards.
 
Beginning in 1995, the format of the AP test was changed to incorporate the use of graphing calculators. Students are now expected to bring a graphing calculator and be thoroughly familiar with how to operate it. Both sections of the AP exam (multiple choice and free response) will be sub-divided into calculator and non-calculator sections. Calculators will be allowed on most, but not all, of the tests and quizzes given during the year.
 
Evaluation
 
Each semester grade is determined by the average of the three six-week grades and the final exam. At least three major grades and six daily grades will determine each six-week grade. Daily grades may include homework checks, quizzes, classwork, and small group work. Major grades may include tests and projects. The major grade average and daily grade average will each count as 50% of the six-week grade.