Math 25: Unit 7

  • Unit 7 Target Date: Tuesday, April 14
  • Unit 7 DEADLINE Date: Friday, April 17 CHANGED to Tuesday, April 21

    • Note: The information on this page is for the 7th edition of the textbook.
     Click here for the 8th edition information.
    Click here for the 6th edition information.

    Table of Contents:
    Topics
    Study Guidelines
    Unit Written Assignment
    Unit Pretest and Exam Description
    Checklist

    Topics
    The Analytic Geometry section of the course begins with this unit, which consists of two parts. The first is an introduction to polar coordinates for points in the xy-plane, and polar equations and their graphs. The second is a study of complex numbers. The two topics are related by the polar form of a complex number, which then leads to simple formulas for finding powers and roots of complex number via DeMoivre's Theorem.

    • Polar Coordinates (9.1-2)
      • Converting from rectangular to polar coordinates.
      • Converting from polar to rectangular coordinates.
      • Equations in polar coordinates.
      • Graphs of functions and relations given in polar coordinates.
    • Complex numbers (1.3 and 9.3)
      • definition
      • addition and subtraction
      • multiplication
      • division
      • polar form
    • DeMoivre's Theorem (9.3)
      • powers of complex numbers
      • roots of complex numbers

    Study guidelines for the 7th edition of Sullivan's Algebra and Trigonometry

    These reading and problem assignments are designed to help you learn the course material. You should complete all of these problems, check your answers in the back of the textbook, and get help with the problems that you missed. Most of the problems are odd-numbered, so you can check the solutions in the Solutions Manual.

    The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics, so while these problems will not be graded carefully, you will probably not do well in the course if you do not complete these and check your work as described above. After completing these problems, go on to the Unit Exam Description below and follow directions.

    • Section 9.1: Polar Coordinates
    • Section 9.2: Polar Equations and Graphs
      • Reading: section 9.2
        Read and work through examples 1-13 and their matched problems.
      • Many of the polar graphs (for example, the roses) are similar to the pictures that can obtained by using a spirograph. Note that we can always rewrite any polar equation r=f(t) as a set of parametric equations x=f(t)*cos(t), y=f(t)*sin(t). In a similar way, spirograph pictures are obtained by using certain parametric equations involving trigonometric functions. For the details, see Anu Garg's wonderful spirograph applet.
      • Practice Problems: 9.2 #1-6, 13-27 odd, 29-36, 37, 43, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 77, 81
      • You can download and print polar graph paper here, or print it from this Polar Graph Paper pdf generator.


    • Section 1.3 (review): Complex Numbers
      • Reading: section 1.3, pages 109-114
        Concepts you should know:
        • definition of complex numbers
        • addition and substraction of complex numbers
        • multiplication of complex numbers
        • division of complex numbers
      • Practice Problems: Work through a representative sampling of problems #9-28 in this section until you feel comfortable with the concepts listed above.

    • Section 9.3: The Complex Plane; DeMoivre's Theorem
    • Supplementary material (optional):
      • Student Solutions Manual
      • CD lecture series (step-by-step video examples on CD)
        • Section numbering on the CD's corresponds to the 7th edition of the textbook.
      • Video lectures are available on reserve in the CR library.
        • Section numbering on the video lectures corresponds to the 6th edition of the textbook. Use the section correlation guide to find the corresponding sections for the 7th edition.
      • For tutoring help, visit the Prentice Hall Math Tutor Center. Tutors can be contacted by phone, fax, or e-mail. To register, you will need to use your access code.
      • Graphing Calculator Help

    Unit 7 Written Assignment

    See Blackboard for Written Assignment and Blackboard Assignment.

    Be sure to read and follow the 'General Guidelines' (look in Blackboard).

    Unit 7 Pretest and Exam Description
    After completing the above work, do the following:

    1. Read the exam description:
      • Pretests count as 20% of your course grade, and Unit Exams count for 35%. 
      • Each unit exam has a one hour time limit.
      • All questions on this exam require an exact answer. You should not try to use a calculator approximation for any of these questions.
      • Type the letter i for the square root of -1. Be careful to put in all necessary parentheses when typing your answer, especially for problems in polar form. For example, 1+i in polar form would be entered as sqrt(2)*(cos(pi/4)+i*sin(pi/4)). Make sure you use the preview button to prevent any mistakes! NOTE: New this year -- you can type in a shortcut: sqrt(2)*cis(pi/4)
      • Be sure to look under the entry box for the type of answer expected.
        • Some problems (for example, solutions of equations) expect a list of several values or formulas separated by semicolons, such as 0;5pi/6;7pi/6. In this case, the order of the values is not important.
        • The answer to some problems is an equation (for example, the equation of a line). In this case, simply type in the equation. For example, your answer might be y=2x-3 or r=cos(t).
      • Make sure your calculator is set to the correct mode (radians or degrees) for each problem.
      • For this exam, you must know how to graph curves in polar coordinates using your calculator.
      • This exam may be somewhat easier if you know how to work with complex numbers on your calculator. However, remember that you should not use approximations -- all questions on this exam require an exact answer.
      • In previous classes, students had the most difficulty with (a) finding roots of complex numbers and (b) converting from rectangular to polar coordinates (or rectangular to polar form of a complex number).
    2. Complete the online Unit 7 Pretest assignment. You may use your book if you wish, and redo the pretest as many times as you like. Your pretest score will be scaled -- each pretest counts equally, and they comprise 20% of your grade.
      • Directions: At the testing web site, choose the Unit 7 Pretest/HW assignment.
      • The pretest must be completed by the deadline date listed in Optimath.
        However, you may redo the pretest as many times as you like before the deadline date. Your best score counts.
    3. If you are having trouble with any of the problems listed above or on the pretest or practice exams, make use of the help resources listed on the "Help" handout.
    4. Go to the Academic Support Center to take the online proctored Unit 7 Exam assignment. Remember to bring identification, and remember that you will not be able to take the unit exam after the deadline date given at the top of this page. You may NOT use your book or notes on this exam.
      • Directions: At the testing web site, choose Unit 7 Exam.
      • The proctored unit exam must be completed by the deadline date listed at the top of this page, and may be repeated under certain conditions.

      Note: Remember that you can always go back and take practice exams on this unit after the deadline has passed. In particular, this will help you prepare for the final exam.

      • Directions: At the testing web site, choose "Unit 7 Pretest/HW" assignment. After the deadline has passed, this exam will be available in practice mode.

    Unit 7 Checklist

    Make sure that you have finished the following items to complete Unit 7:

    • Read the material and do the problems listed in the Study Guidelines. Use any of the listed supplementary material to help you understand the concepts.
    • Update your Reference Book as you study.
    • Complete the Discussion Board assignment in Blackboard.
    • Prepare for Quizzes in class.
    • Complete the Unit Written Assignment.
    • Complete the online Unit Pretest/HW assignment (read the exam description first).
    • Complete the online proctored Unit Exam.

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