Mathematica Projects to Accompany
Calculus: Early Transcendentals, Fifth Edition
By James Stewart

Michael Penna
Indiana University - Purdue University, Indianapolis

This page contains links to computer projects based on Mathematica 5 which accompany Calculus, Fifth Edition, by James Stewart.

The objectives of these projects are discussed here, and some suggestions for their usage are discussed here.

Preliminaries

The projects in this section are background for material to be covered later.

Assigning the first and second projects is essential. Remaining projects can be done at the beginning of the term or postponed until they are needed.

It is worth working through the first and second projects in class early in the semester (on, for example, a computer whose display can be projected onto a wall screen) just prior to having students do them. Working through them in class is a good opportunity for discussing details (such as how to get Mathematica up and running, and editing) which students without much computer experience will probably appreciate. This is also a good way to make constructive use of time during which students are normally settling in to a new term.

A Preview of Calculus

  • "Why Worry About Proving Things?"
    This project is aimed at motivating the need for proof in Calculus. It encourages experimentation, and it involves some elementary Mathematica programming.

Chapter 1: Functions and Models

  • Variations in the Graph of a Function
  • Variations in the Graph of the Sine Function
    These projects review how shifting and scaling affect the graph of a function. The first project uses a polynomial function, and the second uses the sine function.


  • Amplitude, Period, and Phase Shift
    This is a quick review of the amplitude, period, and phase shift of f(x) = A sin (Bx+C).


  • Exponentials and Logarithms
    This is a very brief review of pre-Calculus exponentials and logarithms in preparation for further development in Calculus: it emphasizes that prior to Calculus (ie, without introducing limits), exponentials are defined only for rational exponents. This project does not use Mathematica: all computations can be done by hand.


  • Linear Interpolation
    This project is for the benefit of students who need to know something about linear interpolation: many pre-Calculus texts and courses do not cover this topic. This project does not use Mathematica: all computations can be done by hand.

Chapter 2: Limits and Derivatives

  • Predicting the Slope of a Tangent Line
    These projects have the student predict the slope of the tangent line to a function at a point by examining the slopes of secant lines. The first project computes limits as h approaches 0, and the second as x approaches a.


  • Linear Approximation
    This project is aimed at applying the derivative and tangent line early (before discussing differentials).


  • Guessing Limits Numerically
    In this project numerical data is created, and from it a limit is to be guessed.


  • The Definition of Limit
    This project is aimed at showing that deltas exist for given epsilons.


  • The Intermediate Value Theorem
    This is a simple Intermediate Value Theorem project.


  • The Intermediate Value Theorem and Graphing
  • The Intermediate Value Theorem and Graphing
    These projects discuss the Intermediate Value Theorem in the context of pre-Calculus graphing, and they also lay the foundation for the later discussion of graphing. The first of these projects does not involve vertical asymptotes but the second does.


  • The Bisection Method
    The Bisection Method is a consequence of the Intermediate Value Theorem, and an alternative to Newton's Method for solving equations. The Bisection Method doesn't converge as fast as Newton's Method, but it's very easy to program and it illustrates limiting behavior.


  • Differentiation
    The student is led through the computation of a derivative using the definition of derivative, and then asked to correlate the first three derivatives of a single function.


  • The First Derivative and Slope
  • The First Derivative and Slope
    In the first of these projects, the student works through the computation of a derivative using the definition of derivative, and then is asked to correlate the graph of a function with the graph of its derivative. In the second, the student is asked only to correlate the graph of a function with the graph of its derivative.


  • The Graph of a Function and the Graph of its Derivative
    The graphs of functions are given and the student is asked to draw the graph of their derivatives by hand.


  • The Graph of a Derivative
  • The Graph of a Derivative
    Given the graph of a derivative and an initial value, the student is asked to graph the original function.

Chapter 3: Differentiation Rules

Chapter 4: Applications of Differentiation

There are three different versions of several of the projects in this chapter: in each case one version involves a polynomial function, one involves a rational function, and one involves an algebraic function. These different versions differ primarily in the Mathematica code, and are presented to accommodate different levels of courses, different levels of student abilities, and the instructor substituting a different function, interval, etc, for the ones used.

Some of these projects require solving equations. Where the NSolve command is clearly better to use than the Solve command, it has been used. However, the instructor might also wish to have students use it elsehwere and to restrict the number of displayed digits. (See A Brief Mathematica Tutorial: Part 1, Arithmetic and Simple Algebra and Mathematica's Help for more details.)

Chapter 5: Integrals

  • Integration: Riemann Sums
  • Integration: Riemann Sums
    These projects represent three different approaches to integration using Riemann sums. The second uses Mathematica's Student package, and the third asks the student to write some Mathematica code.


  • The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
    This project discusses the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and emphasizes the definition of a function as an integral.


  • The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
    This project describes an alternate proof of the Fundamental Theorem. It is a little off the beaten path, but it does anticipate Euler's Method and telescoping sums. This project does not use Mathematica: all computations can be done by hand.

Chapter 6: Applications of Integration

  • Areas of Type I and Type II Regions
    This is a basic "find the area" projects.


  • Surfaces of Revolution
  • Surfaces of Revolution
  • Surfaces of Revolution
  • Surfaces of Revolution
    These projects are concerned with producing graphics that can be used to get a better feel for surfaces of revolution: students are not expected to understand the Mathematica code, although they should be able to modify it to draw surfaces that might be of interest to them. In the first project the student is led through revolving the graph of y = f(x) about the x- and y-axes, and around the lines x = k and y = k; in the second the student is led through revolving the graph of y = f(x) just about the x- and y-axes; in the third the student is led through revolving the graph of y = f(x) about the x- and y-axes, and around the lines x = k and y = k, and then asked to revolve the graph of a different function about the same axes; in the fourth the student is led through revolving the graph of y = f(x) about just the x- and y-axes, and then asked to revolve the graph of a different function about the same axes. (These variations are aimed at accommodating both class schedules and student abilities.)


  • Force and Work
    One of the major applications of Calculus is to problems that involve force and work. This project is preparation for this application, and is aimed particularly at students who have not yet studied Physics. This project does not use Mathematica: all computations can be done by hand. (This project repeats a small part of the work on variation and proportion related to Hooke's Law covered in Variation and Proportion so that that project does not necessarily have to be covered.)


  • The Average Value of a Function
    This project discusses the average value of a function, and illustrates its geometric significance.

Chapter 7: Techniques of Integration

  • Approximate Integration
    In this project we compare approximate integration by Riemann sums, the Trapezoidal Rule, and Simpson's Rule.

Chapter 8: Further Applications of Integration

Chapter 9: Differential Equations

Chapter 10: Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates

In the first project on Parameterized Curves students are encouraged to use their creativity to draw something interesting. To make things a little more interesting for the class as a whole, you might want to consider offering a small prize - such as a candy bar - for the "best" offering.

  • Parametrized Curves
  • Parametrized Curves
    In these projects the student is led through the graphing of several parameterized curves in the plane. In the first project, the code is provided; in the second project, the code is provided for one curve, and the student is then expected to write the code for the others.


  • Ballistics
  • Ballistics
  • Ballistics
  • Ballistics
    In these projects the student investigates the path of a projectile in xy-coordinates. (Earlier they were investigated in ts-coordinates.) The first and second of these projects uses English units, and the later two use metric units. The first and third specifies the Mathematica code to be used, and the second and fourth leave writing the Mathematica code to the student.


  • Polar Curves in Cartesian Coordinates
    This project illustrates how to draw polar curves in Cartesian coordinates using Mathematica.


  • Cardioids and Limacons
    This project asks the student to draw several cardioids and limacons in the same graphic. The objective is some insight into the geometric significance of the constants a and b that specify curves whose polar equations are of the form r = a + b sin theta and r = a + b cos theta.


  • Lissajoux Curves
    This is an investigation of Lissajoux Curves.

Chapter 11: Infinite Sequences and Series

  • Sequences and Series: Part 1
  • Sequences and Series: Part 2
    The first of these projects has the student define two procedures - one for generating some values for, and another for generating some graphics for, a user-specified series - and then apply them to an analysis of the series. The second project asks the student to repeat the first project using some different series.


  • Maclaurin and Taylor Series
    In this project the student creates and graphs some truncated Maclaurin and Taylor series expansions.


  • The Second Derivative Test Again
    This views the Second Derivative Test from the standpoint of series expansions, and extends the Second Derivative Test.

Chapter 12: Vectors and the Geometry of Space

  • 3-Dimensional Coordinate Systems
    This project has the student draw several basic geometric figures in space.


  • Cylinders and Quadric Surfaces
  • Cylinders and Quadric Surfaces
    These projects have the student drawing and identifying cylinders and quadric surfaces in space. The first specifies the Mathematica code to be used, and the second leaves the writing of part of the Mathematica code to the student. Some parts of these projects can be omitted if there seem to be too many.


  • Quadric Surfaces
    In this project the student is asked to identify the graphs of several quadric surfaces from implicit graphs of their second order quadratic equations in x, y, and z.


  • Surfaces of Revolution
    In this project the student uses implicit equations to graph some surfaces of revolution.

Chapter 13: Vector Functions

Chapter 14: Partial Derivatives

  • Graphs of Functions of Two Variables
    In this project the student graphs functions of two variables.


  • Tangent Planes
    In this project we discuss the similarities and differences between computing the equation of the tangent plane to the graph of a function and the equation of the tangent plane to the graph of a level surface.


  • Function Optimization
  • Function Optimization
    These projects are aimed at clearly identifying the process of finding the relative extrema for a function of two variables over an open set. The first project specifies the Mathematica code to be used, and the second leaves writing the Mathematica code to the student.


  • Solving Constrained Optimization Equations
    This project illustrates how to use Mathematica to solve the systems of equations that arise in constrained optimization problems.


  • Constrained Optimization
    This project illustrates the geometry behind Lagrange Multipliers.


  • Lagrange Multipliers
    This project illustrates how to solve Lagrange Multiplier problems analytically, and the geometry behind Lagrange Multipliers.


  • Lagrange Multipliers
    This project illustrates how to solve Lagrange Multiplier problems analytically, and includes several more for the student to do.

Chapter 15: Multiple Integrals

Chapter 16: Vector Calculus

  • Vector Fields in the Plane and in Space
    This project illustrates how Mathematica can be used to define vector fields and draw them in the plane and in space.


  • The Gradient
  • The Gradient
    In these projects the student is asked to draw the graph of a function f = f(x,y), a contour plot of f, and the gradient field of f, and then to relate the graphics. The difference between these projects is the function f.


  • Integral Curves
    This project asks the student to draw some integral curves of a vector field. It also relates the integral curves of a conservative field to the level curves of the potential function.


  • Divergence
  • Divergence
    In these projects the student is asked to work with the divergence of some simple vector fields. The emphasis is on understanding what the divergence represents.


  • Line Integrals in the Plane
    This projects discusses the computation of line integrals in the plane.


  • Line Integrals in the Plane, and Work
  • Line Integrals in the Plane, and Work
    These project discuss the computation of line integrals in the plane, and emphasizes their interpretation in terms of work. In the first project the student computes the work integral, and in the second they are expected to guess whether it is positive, negative, or zero.


  • Drawing Surfaces
    This project illustrates how to draw parametric surfaces in Mathematica, and the strengths and weaknesses of drawing surfaces implicitly, as graphs of functions, and parametrically.


  • Parameterized Surfaces
    This project illustrates how to draw parametric surfaces in Mathematica.


  • A Comparison of Approaches to Drawing Surfaces
    In this project we compare the graphs of a cone obtained through implicit, function, and parametric plotting.


  • Different Strokes ...
    This project requires student to write code in Mathematica. In this project we illustrate that different types of information can come from viewing surfaces that have been graphed using different parameterizations.


  • Surface Area and Surface Integrals
    The goal of this project is to clarify the steps taken in the computation of surface area and surface integrals.

Chapter 17: Second Order Differential Equations

  • Spring-Mass Damping
    Students are directed to draw and analyze the spriong-mass damping equations.



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