Math 181 - Fall 2005

 

Lab 1 - Introduction to the Computer Lab

 

 

Goals:

  1. To make sure everyone is connected to the University computer network

  2. To introduce students to the computer lab

  3. To make sure everyone is connected to MyMathLab

  4. To make sure everyone can get started in Derive

 

 

Part 1: MyMathLab

 

Task 1:    Homework

    As of August 31, two homework assignments were available on MyMathLab.  You have all the time you want, up to the due date, to work on homework, and the system keeps a running total on your score.  You can keep tinkering with it until you run out of ideas, time or energy, or until you are satisfied with your performance.

 

    For this part of your lab, find one of the homework assignments, and attempt at least one problem, so that you get at least a partial score for the assignment. (You don't even have to do it correctly, since you can fix it later if you get it wrong, but right is better.)

 

    I will assess this part of the assignment by reviewing my grade book at the end of the lab period and seeing who has scores.

 

Task 2:    Videos

    Figure out how to watch a video in MyMathLab.  Watch at least two minutes of the video for one of the first three sections.

 

 

Part 2: Starting Derive

 

    Derive is the name of the computer algebra system we use in our Calculus courses.  I will demonstrate some of its basic features in lab, and then you'll be mostly on your own.  Because I anticipate certain other problems, expect the Derive demonstration to begin about half an hour in to the lab period.

 

    Your tasks are:

 

Task 1:    Use Derive to perform some elementary calculations.  Copy the calculations into a Word document.

 

Task 2:    Figure out if Derive expects you to use degrees or radians when you measure angles.  Recall that, in radians, sin(Pi) = 0, but in degrees, sin(Pi) is a small, but non-zero positive number.

    Embed your calculations into the Word document and add a short essay explaining your process, describing and interpreting your results.

 

Note in style

    Your essay should be short, but it should clearly include at least four parts.

  1. Statement of problem.  If you can't think of a statement, use this one: "The problem is to perform experiments to determine whether Derive uses degrees or radians when it calculates the values of trigonometric functions."

  2. Description of your process.  It might only be a sentence, but it must be there.

  3. Your results.  This could be a table, or the calculations themselves, or a paragraph, or all three.

  4. Your conclusions.

 

Task 3:    Graphing

    Figure out how to graph things in Derive.  Graph four or five different functions with different properties.  Change the calibrations on the axes.  Embed the graphs in the Word document with captions telling what each graph is demonstrating.

 

What to hand in:

    Make your word document look nice, clearly labeled with your name and a heading.  Put a section heading on each section, and number your pages.  Don't waste paper.

    This lab will be graded based on the following qualities:

  1. It should demonstrate a command of the technical skills

  2. It should be grammatical, attractive and well organized.

    This assignment is due in one week.

 

Additional opportunities:

    Word has a feature, >Insert>Object>Equation.  You can use this to build nice mathematical equations and embed them in Word documents.  You might want to try this out and use it to make your lab look nicer.

 

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created August 31, 2005