Be ready to ask questions in class about the problems in class. Some exercises are routine and mechanical, much like the homework you are accustomed to having in mathematics courses. Other exercises require more thought, and you may find them frustrating at the beginning. We will talk about some problem-solving strategies, but the best way to learn to solve problems is to persevere. You will eventually learn what questions to ask yourself, how to try simple cases, and how to generalize.
Problem solving is what mathematics is all about.
The computer laboratories are designed so that students can explore the concepts which are covered in the text. The first two laboratories are designed to introduce you to the computer algebra system Maple. Afterwards, I will take a few minutes at the beginning of the lab period to introduce the laboratory exercise. Then you will spend the rest of the time investigating calculus with Maple by going through the lab in the supplementary text Calculus the Maple Way . From time to time throughout the semester, there may be a quiz on the material covered recently in class.