Elizabeth Wilkins Blog #1

1. What is your full name? Elizabeth Wilkins
2. Do you have a nickname that you prefer to go by? Just Elizabeth
3. What is your height IN INCHES (not feet)? 66 inches
4. What is your age in years? 20 years old
5. What time do you generally wake up on any given day? 7:30-8
6. What is your favorite candy? I’m not a huge candy fan
7. What is your favorite snack food? Fruit!
8. Who is your favorite musical artist/band? Third Eye Blind
9. Do you have any hobbies/things you like to do for fun? Film/photography, running, yoga, traveling  
10. What is your mathematical background? (Not limited to the list below…list other topics if needed)

Basic math algebra1 algebra2 statistics probability trigonometry  

High school Precalculus high school calculus

college algebra (taken at a college/university) AP stats

AP calculus college level calculus (taken at a college/university)

What is your comfort level with solving math word problems, math application problems, and conceptual math problems?

Very comfortable (V) comfortable (C)     uncomfortable (U) extremely uncomfortable (E)

What is your comfort level with math computations and calculations/using formulas and following steps and procedures?

Very comfortable (V) comfortable (C)     uncomfortable (U) extremely uncomfortable (E)

What is your comfort level with any of the following calculus concepts?

Write one of the following next to each topic: 

Very comfortable (V) comfortable (C)     uncomfortable (U) extremely uncomfortable (E)

Curve sketching C

Instantaneous rate of change C

Derivatives (of constant, linear, polynomial, power, rational, exponential, trigonometric, logarithmic functions) U

Difference quotient U

Limits C

Continuity C

Chain rule (an application of composition of functions) U

Product and quotient rules for derivatives C

Finding local and global maximums and minimums C

Determining inflection points C

Area under a curve C

Anti-derivatives U

Integration (of constant, linear, polynomial, power, rational, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic functions) C

Integration by parts C

Integration by substitution C

The following are concepts from algebra and precalculus that students taking applied calculus should be comfortable with. 

What is your comfort level with any of the following algebraic and precalculus concepts? (please note that weakness in any of these areas may make most aspects of this class more challenging than others)

Write one of the following next to each topic:

Very comfortable (V) comfortable (C)     uncomfortable (U) extremely uncomfortable (E)

Equations V

Factoring U

Adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing fractions/rational expressions C

Simplifying expressions C

Simplifying rational expressions (fractions and fractional polynomials) C

Operations on roots and fractional exponent expressions U 

Operations involving whole number exponent expressions U 

Finding common denominators V

Inequalities V

Functions V

Absolute value V

Linear functions V

Systems of equations V

Domain and range V

Inverse functions V

Transformations (shifting, scaling, stretching, etc) C

Quadratic functions V

Completing the square U 

Exponential functions C 

Logarithmic functions U 

Base e U 

Graphing (trigonometric, quadratic, linear, exponential, and logarithmic functions) C

Trigonometric concepts U 

Have you taken American university’s math 160 (applied precalculus) class? If yes, was your grade a “b” or better?

No

Have you taken American university’s math 170 (precalculus mathematics) class? If yes, was your grade a “b” or better?

No

Which social media formats are you familiar with?

Texting facebook pinterest flickr wordpress blogspot tumblr twitter

google plus Instagram       snapchat       Yik Yak

Which social media formats do you use most frequently?

Texting facebook pinterest flickr wordpress blogspot tumblr twitter

google plus Instagram       snapchat       Yik Yak

What is your major? Film & Media Studies

Why are you taking this math class? I actually took this same course first semester freshman year. Due to worries about my grade in the class I took it as P/F. However, I later found out that if I had taken it as a normal A-F course I would’ve gotten an A. This didn't matter at the time since I still fulfilled my GenEd requirement. However, I recently added the minor of Environmental Science and this course is required for the completion of that. Since I can’t go back in time and kick my freshman self for taking Applied Calc as a P/F, I am taking it again now. I’m pretty foggy on most concepts though. Once I see certain equations and formulas, I think it will all come back to me!

Will you take other math classes in the future at American University or will this be your only math class? If yes, which classes do you anticipate taking? Nope!

What do you hope to learn in this class? I hope to learn the skills I’ll need to succeed in my minor.

Is there anything else you would like me to know about you? I like math! I’m excited to be in this class.