This course offers a comprehensive introduction to calculus, emphasizing the foundational mathematical concepts and tools essential for further studies in mathematics and related fields. Topics include limits, differentiation, and integration, approached with clarity and structure. The course is designed to begin from the absolute fundamentals—starting with numbers and functions—and progressively build up to advanced topics such as optimization, related rates, and linear differential equations.
Course Outline:
1.1 Numbers, Functions, (In-)equalities, Polynomials, Rational Functions
1.2 Trigonometric Functions, Vectors in Two and Three Dimensions
1.3 Limits, Continuity, Introduction to Differentiation
1.4 Differentiation Rules and Theorems: Power Rule, Product Rule, Chain Rule
1.5 Derivatives of Exponential, Logarithmic, and Trigonometric Functions, Taylor Series
1.6 Implicit Differentiation and Derivatives of Inverse Functions
1.7 Intermediate Value Theorem, Critical Points, Maxima and Minima
1.8 First and Second Derivative Tests, Inflection Points
1.9 Antiderivatives, Indefinite Integrals, Integration by Substitution and by Parts
1.10 Definite Integrals and Their Applications (e.g., Area Between Curves, Related Rates)
1.11 Optimization, Related Rates, and Linear Differential Equations
This syllabus is inspired by the IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL curriculum and incorporates elements from the Technical University of Eindhoven’s Calculus Variant 2 Course (2WBBO).