Harvard Extension School

Mathematics E-21a - Fall 2010

Multivariable Calculus

The recommended text for this course is Stewart's "Multivariable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts". Either the 3rd Edition or the 4th Edition is acceptable (or an even earlier edition).

3rd Edition:
ISBN-10: 0-534-41004-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-534-41004-9
(published 2005, Brooks-Cole)

Click on the image to compare prices.

OR

4th Edition:
ISBN-10: 0-495-56054-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-495-56054-8
(published 2010, Brooks-Cole)

Click on the image to compare prices.

Homework assignments are currently keyed to the 3rd Edition, but all assignments will be made available as PDFs.

A key matching HW exercises in different editions is available on request.

Announcements:

The first class meeting is on Thursday, September 2 at 7:35pm in Harvard Hall, Room 201.
HW #1 problems (PDF) are now posted in the Course Calendar.

There are currently 89 students registered in the course (as of Sept 2, 5:30pm).

Math E-21a syllabus - Fall 2010       Printable Math E-21a syllabus (PDF) - Fall 2010

Textbook: Multivariable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts by James Stewart - either the 3rd Edition (published 2005 by Brooks-Cole, ISBN: 0534410049) OR the 4th Edition (published 2010 by Brooks-Cole, ISBN: 0495560545). The text should be available at The Coop or via the Internet. Note: If you can find an inexpensive copy of the 2nd Edition of the Stewart text or a comparable text, this should also work fine. Each homework assignment will be posted as a PDF for those with other editions of the text.

Click on the image of your choice of textbook (to the left and down) for the best online deals.

Classes meet every Thursday evening from 7:35pm to 9:35pm in Harvard Hall 201 (next to Johnson Gate). The first class meeting is on Thursday, September 2. [Note: Due to the Veteran's Day holiday, the class normally scheduled for Thurs, Nov 11 will instead take place on Sat, Nov 13 from 10:00am to noon at a location to be determined.]

There will be an optional problem session each week at a time and place to be determined and commencing early in the 2nd week of classes. Check back later for additional details.

A pre-class problem session will take place each week starting shortly after 6:30pm, tentatively in Harvard Hall 201 (our regular lecture hall). The purpose of this session is to resolve questions raised after you have struggled mightily with the homework but were either unsuccessful on some problems or have some doubts. Please don't use this session simply to get answers without having dedicated some time on every homework problem.

If you are unable to turn in your homework during class, there will be a mail slot on the 3rd floor of the Science Center diagonally across from the elevators. The Math E-21a slot is at the bottom of the black rack with an orange label, one slot for homework being turned in and another slot for graded homework to be returned. However, it is always best to turn in homework in class. Any other arrangements and all rules regarding lateness are at the discretion of the course assistants (John Tsai and Renee Chipman).

Calendar [Topics and homework assignments are posted here.]

Math E-21a syllabus - Fall 2010

Printable Math E-21a syllabus (PDF) - Fall 2010

Note: The Math Placement Exam is NOT required for registration in this course. It is still a good idea to take it in order to better assess which mathematics course is most appropriate for you.

Mega-List of Math E-21a techniques       Math E-21a Useful Facts

Here's something: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html

Mathematica (optional, but worth investigating)
If you would like to experiment with Mathematica to graph parameterized curves and functions f(x, y), find level curves, and much more, here are a few labs that will introduce you to this software and show you how to do most of the basic things that are relevant to Math E-21a. You can also cut and paste images produced by Mathematica into other documents and print some pretty dazzling graphics.
Hands-On Start to Mathematica (Flash presentation from Wolfram.com)

Mathematica Lab #1     Mathematica Lab #2     Mathematica Lab #3
[Right-click to save these files, then open them with Mathematica.]

Download your free Adobe Acrobat Reader for reading and printing PDF formatted documents.

Please send comments to Robert Winters.
URL: http://math.rwinters.com/E21a
Last modified: Thursday, September 2, 2010 5:30 PM