T Ratliff Wheaton College
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Spring 2009
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Writing in Calculus

Writing Home | Calculus I | Calculus II | Multivariable Calculus


Multivariable Calculus Writing Assignments

All this trouble for one little Geococcyx californianus
  • Topics emphasized: Motion and parametric equations in the three space
  • Notes: This is a slightly more general setting than "A Matter of Utmost Gravity", but many of the ideas are similar. A computer algebra system like Maple helps with the calculations.
  • Last Assigned: Spring 2005
A Matter of Utmost Gravity
  • Topics emphasized: Parametric equations in the plane
  • Notes: A computer algebra system like Maple helps with the calculations in the general case
  • Last Assigned: Spring 2003
The X-Files Makes Me So Angry
  • Topics emphasized: Optimization of a function of two variables
  • Notes: The students will need some type of technology to find the stationary points.
  • Last Assigned: Spring 2005
They Took Paradise and Won't Let Me Put Up a Parking Lot
  • Topics emphasized: Optimization of a function of two variables
  • Notes: It really helps to have a computer algebra system like Maple available for some of the calculations in this.
  • Last Assigned: Fall 97
Ya' Gotta Love Parametric Equations
  • Topics emphasized: Parametric and polar plots
  • Notes: This isn't a writing project like all the others on this page, but the students really enjoyed it for the most part. I got the idea for this from Judy Holdener at Kenyon College. You can view some sample projects from my classes in
    Fall 1998
    Fall 2001
    Spring 2002
    Spring 2003
    Spring 2005
  • Last Assigned: Spring 2005


  Maintained by Tommy Ratliff tratliff@wheatoncollege.edu
Last Modified December 28, 2008 5:33 PM