Mathematics, Coding and Science Education

Calculus I: Chapter 3

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The Average Rate of Change and Limits

This chapter introduces the concepts of Limits in the context of evaluating a Rate of Change. We begin by introducing the problem of change. How does a function change over time and in what ways can we quantify that? This leads to the introduction of the Limit. The rest of the chapter is dedicated to understanding what a Limit is, how to solve a Limit, and some applications of Limits. The chapter ends with the formal definition of a Limit, which is relatively advanced proof for this stage in mathematics.
By the end of this chapter, you should understand:

  • What an Average Rate of Change is and how to solve for it
  • What an Instantaneous Rate of Change is and how we aim to solve it
  • The definition of a Limit
  • The definition of Continuity
  • Examples of Discontinuities
  • How to evaluate a Limit using a variety of techniques
  • How to formally prove a Limit
  • Some applications of Limits

List of Topics in this Chapter:

  1. The Average Rate of Change
  2. The Instantaneous Rate of Change
  3. The Limit
  4. Limit Laws
  5. Limits, Graphically
  6. Continuity
  7. Evaluating Limits with Algebra
  8. Evaluating Trigonometric Limits
  9. The Squeeze Theorem
  10. Infinite Limits
  11. The Intermediate Value Theorem
  12. The Formal Definition of a Limit (Epsilon-Delta Proof)

Unit Daily Plan

Practice Problems

  1. The Average Rate of Change
  2. The Instantaneous Rate of Change
  3. The Limit
  4. Limit Laws
  5. Limits, Graphically
  6. Continuity
  7. Evaluating Limits with Algebra
  8. Evaluating Trigonometric Limits
  9. The Squeeze Theorem
  10. Infinite Limits
  11. The Intermediate Value Theorem
  12. The Formal Definition of a Limit (Epsilon-Delta Proof)

Sample Assessments

Solution Sets

  1. The Average Rate of Change
  2. The Instantaneous Rate of Change
  3. The Limit
  4. Limit Laws
  5. Limits, Graphically
  6. Continuity
  7. Evaluating Limits with Algebra
  8. Evaluating Trigonometric Limits
  9. The Squeeze Theorem
  10. Infinite Limits
  11. The Intermediate Value Theorem
  12. The Formal Definition of a Limit (Epsilon-Delta Proof)