Archive of Projects for Calculus

Topic Title Description Comments
Derivative as slope Estimating the slope of a curve Estimate the slope of a curve by zooming in with a graphing calculator and finding directly. Compare with value given by the derivative. (Ask AD for copy) -
Trigonometry Eratosthenes measurement of the earth This can be found in many sources, eg [Hahn, p. 9]. Ask AD for homework problems. The students liked this
Trigonometry The weather in Fairbanks A sine curve fits the daily temperature in Fairbanks. [Mathematics Teacher 70 (1977) 534-537 This needs some homework problems.
Optimization The bee eye as an example of optimum vision An ommatitium is just the right diameter to see accurately without problems coming from diffraction. [Optima, 30-35],[Feynman I Lect 36, 6-9] It's interesting that these two references give two different derivations of the result. The differaction effect can be demonstrated by shining a laser through a pinhole.